A Noble Estate Read Online Free PDF

Rak.
    “Whaaaat?” Jisten mock whined. “I can send messages.”
    His mastigi emerged and clicked.
    As did Trelo. “You had to say the M-word,” laughed Rak as a dozen mastigi swirled around them.
    “I keep forgetting,” Jisten admitted.
    The rest of the party caught up.
    Jethain just shook his head. “You’re not fooling anyone, you know.”
    “Allow me my illusions,” Jisten said with dignity.
    Liast said, “So long as our bribes for looking the other way are paid in chocolate.”
    “ Why do the Koilathans make such a big deal out of sex? ” wondered Ioli.
    “S’Liast, you are about to experience the freshest chocolate in the world. The cacao beans will be harvested in front of your eyes, shelled, crushed, conched, all right to your mouth,” Jisten promised.
    “He can do whatever he wants with S’Rak,” Liast told Jethain. “I will see nothing.”
    “And if you hear nothing,” Jisten said, “you can taste chocolate liqueur.”
    “I have suddenly lost my ability to hear,” announced Liast.
    The guards all laughed.
    Jisten told Rak, “And the liqueur can be mixed in café.”
    Rak rubbed his back against Jisten. “What did you say?”
    “You can always hear, my love,” Jisten laughed. “I wouldn’t deny you anything.”
    “Well, that takes the fun out of it,” said Rak with a wry grin.
    “Nothing takes the fun out of chocolate,” Liast said.
    “ I thought you were deaf, ” said Ioli. His eyes were twinkling.
    “What?” Liast said. “I can neither see nor hear.”
    Jisten whispered into Rak’s ear, “How long are we, uhm, staying together?”
    Rak shifted on Jisten’s shaft. It was semi-firm again. “How long do you want to?” he retorted. “Shall we go for seconds?”
    “Make the avtappi hang back,” Jisten murmured.
    “We shall scout ahead,” announced Rak. “Alone.”
    “We know what he’ll be scouting,” laughed Kal.
    “Oh suuure,” Jethain said.
    Vyld moved to a smooth gallop.
    Rak muffled his noise as Jisten firmed up again. Jisten held out longer this time and Rak enjoyed every moment of it.
     
    * * * *
     
    When they finally rejoined the group in the early afternoon, Jisten slid back over to Zala and grinned unrepentantly at Jethain. Rak was both relieved and regretful. Relived to have more room in the saddle, regretful because he enjoyed Jisten’s company.
    The prince rolled his eyes. “If the two of you are done, perhaps we could discuss where we’re stopping tonight?”
    “I would prefer to camp,” muttered Rak. He winced and put a hand on his belly as the baby rolled and kicked him hard.
    “Why are you doing that? You’re not going to deliver now are you?” There was a note of panic in Jethain’s voice. “We’re out in the middle of nowhere. You can’t have a baby out here.”
    “He’s having the baby?” Jisten crowded close to Rak. In fact, he climbed right back onto Vyld’s back. Both avtappi were quite used to Jisten’s antics and paced along in step.
    Rak mustered what dignity he could and told Jethain, “He keeps kicking me.”
    “Oh,” Jethain subsided. “You’re sure, right? Because you’ve had them before, so you would know, right?”
    Jisten reached around Rak and put his hands on Rak’s belly.
    “Yes, brother, I am sure.” The baby kicked again.
    “What, sunnies don’t know nothing about birthing babies?” Pikara snickered. “Three gold nomi says Prince Sunny will faint if he sees the birth.”
    Rak told her, “That is a sucker bet. Besides, he is not allowed to watch.”
    “Thank all the gods,” Jethain said and Pikara snickered again.
    Liast rode up. “You’re having the baby now?”
    “He was kicking, not birthing.”
    Liast grinned at Rak conspiratorially. “Now, now, I’m the healer here. Let me feel.”
    Rak snorted but permitted it.
    Liast winked at Jisten and then gasped. “This is it! Jethain, come here! I need your assistance!”
    “Noooo! Araken said I wasn’t permitted!”
    Pikara laughed.