Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (best black authors .TXT) 📗

and they had traveled in a seemingly random pattern. Part of him wondered about the different carriages they’d used during the day, including the last, which had a speed enchantment on it.

“I will make sure our rooms are still ready for us,” Dia said as she got out of the carriage. “Collect the bags and come inside once you have them all.”

“Yes, Dia,” Gregory said.

“That was amazing,” Jenn said softly. “We were going so fast.”

“The need to switch carriages was more intriguing to me,” Yukiko said. “I wonder what Lightshield saw that he thought that much precaution was needed?”

“It is a worry,” Gregory agreed, “but we shouldn’t keep Dia waiting. I’ll take her bags in.”

“I’ll take them, dearest,” Yukiko said. “You can take mine.”

“Okay.”

“I wonder if we have work in a few hours,” Jenn said as they picked up their bags and headed for the side door to the inn.

“That might be interesting,” Yukiko said, then yawned. “We’ll have to get what sleep we can.”

The taproom of the inn was nearly empty. Dia stood by the stairs that led up to the rooms and beckoned them to follow her. She didn’t wait, going up ahead of them. She went to the third floor and stood there until they reached her.

“Rooms twenty-one and twenty-two,” Dia said, pointing to the corresponding doors. “I’m in twenty-three. I will be taking you to your instructors after midday tomorrow. Until then, the day is yours. Sleep well.”

Yukiko handed off Dia’s bags to her. “Thank you, Dia. Sleep well.”

“See you for studying in the morning?” Jenn asked them with a yawn.

“Yes. I hope you have pleasant dreams, Jenn,” Yukiko said.

“I will. Don’t stay up too late,” Jenn replied with a mischievous grin, then yawned again.

“We’ll be going straight to sleep,” Gregory replied.

Yukiko’s smile and wink to Jenn went unseen by Gregory, and Jenn just shook her head. “See you in the morning,” Yukiko said.

Gregory and Yukiko went inside their room, and Gregory paused in the doorway— it was pitch black inside. “I see a candle on the table,” he said.

“I’ll get it,” Yukiko said, slipping past him. She found a striker beside the candle and got it lit. “There we go.”

Gregory shut the door now that there was light inside the room. The dim, flickering candle gave him enough to navigate by. He placed their bags next to the armoire and smiled when his gaze went to the bed. The only time he’d ever slept in a real bed was on his wedding night. He looked over toward Yukiko, who was already disrobing and watching him.

“Time for bed, dearest,” Yukiko said, “and even sleep.”

Gregory shook his head— he wasn’t going to refuse what she had in mind. “We shouldn’t stay up too long, but I agree.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll be ready for sleep quickly,” Yukiko giggled as her kimono slid free from her shoulders.

Chapter Five

 

Gregory woke slowly the next morning. He knew that he’d dreamt, but he couldn’t recall what. The soft, warm body beside him made him smile. Turning his head, he saw Yukiko was asleep with her head on his chest and one leg over his.

Brow furrowing, Gregory realized it was light outside. Guess we slept later than I thought we would. Wonder if Jenn already tried to wake us? With a mental shrug, he leaned over and kissed Yukiko’s cheek.

“Hmm...” Yukiko murmured and kissed his chest. “Again, dear heart?”

Gregory chuckled. “It’s late. The sun has already risen.”

Yukiko’s eyelids fluttered open and she looked up at him. “Oh, then we should get up. Jenn is probably already waiting for us.” She shifted her leg and giggled. “Or was I right, after all?”

“I wouldn’t tell you no,” Gregory murmured. “I doubt I’ll ever get enough of last night.”

“Agreed,” Yukiko kissed his chest again, “but we should be good and not keep our friend waiting any longer.”

“You’re right,” Gregory sighed.

“But if she hasn’t knocked yet...” Yukiko murmured, “maybe a little longer wouldn’t hurt?” With a mischievous smile, she began to kiss down his chest.

“I’ll feel bad about not being able to return the attention,” Gregory told her.

“You can tonight,” Yukiko said as she continued to trail kisses down his body.

Gregory didn’t object— he planned on returning her attention at least threefold later.

~*~*~

Gregory just finished getting dressed when a knock sounded. Yukiko answered the door and opened it to admit Jenn.

“I thought maybe I was the only one to wake up late,” Jenn said. “I’m glad I wasn’t.”

“No, we just got out of bed, too,” Yukiko replied, giving her friend a hug. “Do you know what time it is?”

“I looked out my window,” Jenn said. “The sun is just fully above the horizon, so we still have time.”

“Should we study first, then see about breakfast?” Gregory suggested.

“That works for me,” Jenn replied. “We can ask about open spaces where we can do our meditation, too.”

“That’s a good idea,” Yukiko agreed. “What are we studying?”

“Empire’s Gambit,” Gregory said. “We can discuss the advanced tactics that are in your new book.”

“That would be easier if we had the war room with us,” Jenn said. “It’s not a bad idea, though.”

“Okay,” Yukiko said, going over to the armoire to get her book. “Let’s have a seat and we’ll get started.”

~*~*~

They were all hungry when they finally made it downstairs. Dia waved them over to her table, where she had a lot of food piled on plates.

“I see you all woke up late. The food is still warm, so dig in. The cook did the best they could, but it’s been some time since they’ve cooked for apprentice magi. I did make sure that your supply of additives was packed for this month.”

“Thank you for that,” Gregory said. “We