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  Carrick let out a bark of laughter. Kieran was referencing Carrick’s own refusal to admit his love for Ava all those years ago. Carrick walked over to Kieran and clapped his hand on his shoulder. “You’re right, bro. People succumb to love all the time. I hope it happens for you and Annika, truly.”

  Kieran briefly clasped Carrick’s hand while it rested on his shoulder. A silent gesture of thanks. Then he pushed it off. “Let’s stop with this sappy crap and let me get to work.”

  ***

  Annika and Kieran arrived in Balvraine just as the sun was setting. The Veil they traveled through set on the outskirts of the city, which rested on the edge of a vast, flat desert. Kieran could see nothing but sand in one direction, as far as the eye could see. In the opposite direction, sat Balvraine. It was an oasis in the middle of the stark landscape.

  The city was surrounded by a large stone wall with wooden gates that were currently open. He could see tall palm trees peeking out over the top. People traveled in and out and there didn’t look to be any type of security checking visitors. That would make their entry easy enough. Annika and Kieran had both dressed in middle class clothing which they figured was their safest bet.

  Prior to leaving, one of the Conclave members had met with both of them to educate them about Balvraine. As far as the AltVeritas itself, it was very small. While the desert stretched for miles and miles, the only inhabitants were in the city of Balvraine, as it was the only oasis that provided water in the entire AltVeritas.

  Even though Balvraine sat in a desert, it didn’t succumb to the torrid temperatures normally associated with such climates. Oh, it got hot--just not brutally hot. And the sun, which looked very similar to the sun of The First Dimension, didn’t produce the same blazing heat. Still, the AltVeritas was dry and the water was in limited demand.

  Annika and Kieran learned that the societal makeup was not much different than Vyronas. You had a working middle class that provided the basics of daily living. Farmers, craftsmen, retailers. There was a warrior class but it was small. Given the isolation of Balvraine and the fact they had no major commodity of trade, it was unlikely that they would be invaded by neighboring AltVerita. Finally, you had the Royal family, which really consisted of a young ruling Queen, Claire Moldevaine. She had recently inherited the throne at the age of twenty-five after her father died. She had no siblings and no other relatives of note. She also had no advisors. Whereas each ruling family in Vyronas had a Conclave to act as a panel of advisors, it appeared young Claire was running the ship all on her own. Talk about pressure.

  Kieran considered Claire Moldevaine further. There was not much information about her. The history of Balvraine showed nothing more than they were a peaceful people. They led a simple life and had never aspired to be more than a small nation that kept to themselves. He found it fascinating that she could orchestrate the theft of such a well-protected and powerful magical object. The real question? What was her intent for The Scepter?

  Walking into the city, Annika and Kieran kept a sharp eye on their surroundings. They would need to absorb every bit of information to make further plans. The streets were cobblestone and lined with vendors hawking their wares from small colorful tents. Most of the buildings were constructed of stone and mortar with wooden roofs. Large, exposed windows were built into the walls to let in as much air as possible in the dry heat. Luckily, the clothing of Balvraine was smartly constructed to deal with the elements.

  Annika was wearing a light weight, cream linen dress that reached just below her knees. It was sleeveless and lightly belted at her waist. She wore leather sandals that laced up around her ankles. Kieran sported cream linen pants and a wrap around, linen tunic vest that was belted at his waist. Some men chose to wear a skirt like sarong, also of linen, but Kieran felt the pants were better suited in case he needed to fight. Most men wore sandals as well, but Kieran chose brown work boots, again, in case he needed to fight.

  “Let’s walk to the palace so we can check out the points of entry as well as the types of visitors they let in,” Kieran suggested.

  “Sounds good.”

  They could see the top of the palace rising above the rest of the buildings. It looked to be built entirely of a pink veined marble with white columns. It had domed roofs and large open windows. It was quite pretty but surprisingly small for a royal home. It would make it hard to go unnoticed in such tight quarters.

  Turning down a side street that looked to lead them to the palace gates, Kieran and Annika came out into a beautiful park. A huge lake sparkled blue in the sun, surrounded by palm and date trees. People were fishing in long, flat boats on the calm water and more vendors had tents set up to sell food and drink. Outdoor tables and seats dotted the area.

  Kieran and Annika decided to sit down for a while and observe the palace gates. They purchased a few meat pies for their dinner and found a vendor selling a dark brown ale. Choosing a table closest to the gates, they settled in and watched.

  There were two gates within their view. One appeared to be an entrance gate. Over the course of an hour, they watched as many visitors were turned away from the entrance gate by two guards standing post. However, some produced papers that gained them entry. The exit gate was not guarded and people exited at regular intervals. Most appeared to be palace workers as they all wore a uniform of brown pants with matching tunics.

  Sipping slowly on his ale, Kieran pointed out the entrance gate. “You’re going to need to assume the identity of someone that has proper paperwork to get in.”

  Annika nodded. “And once in, I can check out the entire palace and figure out our next move.”

  “I suggest we mark someone coming out of the gate that appears to be a palace worker.”

  “Agreed.” Annika swallowed the last of her ale and watched the gates.

  Before long, they saw two young men leaving the gates together, dressed in the same brown uniforms. They were talking jovially with each other and once outside the palace gates, they waved goodbye and went their separate ways.

  In unspoken agreement, Annika and Kieran stood up and followed the man that walked right by them. They didn’t have far to go and after a few blocks, he turned down a side street lined with small, one-story houses. They hung back and watched him enter the small yard bordering the front of one such house.

  The door opened and a young female stood there with a smile on her face. Then a young boy, about five years old ran out the door and down the steps yelling “Daddy”. The man went down to his knees and scooped the boy up in a big hug.

  “Seems like a nice family man. It’s going to be a shame to have to kill him in the morning so you can assume his identity,” Kieran said.

  Annika whipped her head toward Kieran, a look of horror on her face. Before she could denounce that plan, Kieran just chuckled at her and said, “Gotcha.”

  She responded with a sharp punch to his upper arm.

  “Ouch! Damn woman, you pack a mean punch.”

  She gave him a sweet smile. “You have no idea.”

  Kieran reached his hand to her head and pulled her face close. He gave her a swift kiss on the lips. “I look forward to finding out.”

  Annika returned the kiss more deeply. Pulling back she murmured, “Come on. Let’s go find a place to lodge for the night and I’ll let you goad me further.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Annika and Kieran found a nearby hotel for the evening which was quite nice. The Conclave had provided them with the necessary currency for Balvraine. They both enjoyed a drink in the hotel pub first.

  Annika had kept running her hand up and down Kieran’s thigh under the table, getting closer and closer to his thickening erection. When their waiter approached and asked if they would like another drink, Annika palmed his cock and gave it a soft squeeze. Kieran was able to choke out a “No thank you” to the waiter, who promptly left. Kieran threw some money on the table and grabbed Annika’s hand, pulling her from her chair. He led her straight up the stairs t
o their room, his long strides quickly eating up the distance.

  Once inside their room, he slammed the door and locked it. Turning to Annika, he saw an innocent expression on her face. He smiled at her with wicked intent and stalked toward her. When he got two feet from her, she held up her hand in a gesture for him to halt. He almost didn’t stop but the look on her face told him to heed her warning.

  “Don’t move any farther,” Annika purred.

  Kieran cocked an eyebrow at her.

  “I want to do something I’ve been dying to do since the night I met you.”

  Oh man… the possibilities.

  “Go sit in that chair over there.” Kieran looked to the plush arm chair where Annika pointed and swiftly obeyed.

  Annika walked right up to him and nudged his knees apart with her hands.

  “Take your shirt off for me please.” She sounded so sweet he couldn’t argue with her.

  Kieran untied the belt holding his tunic together and shrugged it off of his shoulders. He threw it to the floor.

  Dropping to her knees in front of Kieran, Annika placed her palms on his thighs. Kieran held his breath, watching her every move. She looked up at him coyly and ran her palms up his thighs, her thumbs digging lightly into his hips.

  “I’ve been dying to drink you up.”

  Kieran’s breath exhaled in a loud rush. He felt his erection harden further. Slowly, Annika reached to the fly of his pants and gently opened it.

  “Lift your hips just a bit, baby,” she whispered.

  Kieran lifted his hips and she pulled his pants down, all the way off his legs. His erection lay heavy against his stomach as he leaned back in the chair. His eyes were burning as he watched her.

  Annika ran her palms up and down his thighs, gazing at his cock. She grabbed her lower lip between her teeth and nibbled at it as if she was trying to figure out the best way to swallow him down. The suspense was killing him and it was taking every bit of control not to thrust his hips up at her.

  “Annika,” he rasped, “please.”

  Annika looked up at him, surprise on her face. She literally had no clue how she made him feel. He must have had the most tortured look, because the sweetest smile played across her mouth and then she put him out of his misery. She leaned over and licked him from base to tip. He felt the ball on her tongue piercing pressing into his tender flesh. She then circled the bottom of his erection with her hand, and put her mouth over the head. She swirled her tongue over the top and pumped the base with her hand. Kieran let out a feral groan and he felt, rather than saw, Annika chuckle. The vibrations from her laugh shot through to his balls.

  Then Annika leaned up over him further and took him all the way into her mouth, the head of his cock hitting the back of her throat.

  “Fuck me,” Kieran hissed.

  Annika removed her mouth and muttered, “Later.”

  Then she went back to working him over. She took him in deep on her down strokes, sucking as she pulled back. Kieran watched as her head moved up and down as pleasure coursed through him. Annika moved both of her hands to stroke up his chest, finding their way to his nipples which she plucked at. Kieran grabbed ahold of her head, lacing his hands into her silky cap of hair while she moved. Before long, his hips were moving to her rhythm, which pushed him farther into her throat. She didn’t seem to have any limits as to what she could take.

  Kieran felt the first tingling of his climax at the base of his spine and tried to hold it off as long as he could. He wanted this moment to go on forever. But then Annika reached down and gently grabbed his balls, massaging them while she continued to suck. Kieran couldn’t hold it and he let out a shout of relief as his orgasm triggered, gripping Annika’s head tightly. His hips kept pumping while he poured himself down her throat. Annika’s ministrations turned gentle as she continued to gently suck and lick at him, working him through his entire release. She finally pulled away and he slipped out of her mouth.

  Kieran’s first plan of attack, once he regained feeling from the waist down, was to pick her up and return the favor. But right now, he had stars winking at the edges of his vision. He looked down at Annika and she was grinning like a cat that just finished a big bowl of cream.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Kieran snickered. “You’re thanking me for that?”

  Annika shot him a mischievous grin. “No, I’m thanking you in advance for what you are getting ready to do to me.”

  Kieran let out a bark of laughter and then shot to his feet. He grabbed Annika and lifted her up over his shoulder. Taking her to the bed, he leaned over and dropped her there. Lying on her back, she propped herself up on her elbows to watch him.

  “Oh, Annika, baby. You are going to owe me a lot more than thanks when I get done with you.”

  ***

  Annika woke before the sun had risen. Not having any idea what time the man’s shift started at the palace, they had planned to be at the mark’s house early so they wouldn’t miss him. Annika realized that she was beside Kieran, laying half on top of him. Her head was resting on his chest, her arm wrapped around his waist, and her leg was twined with his. He was sleeping soundly.

  A moment of panic fired through her over the fact that she was snuggling next to him, but she pushed it back. Taking deep breaths, she let her mind open up and feel all the sensations she had always denied herself. Kieran’s body was warm, permeating her skin. His chest was hard, but smooth, providing a nice pillow for her cheek. He smelled wonderfully spicy…a scent that was only Kieran.

  Tilting her head to look at his face, he bore the look of sweet innocence as he slept. Glancing down, she saw his cock nesting in his blond curls and literally had to dig her nails into her palm to keep from reaching out for it. They didn’t have time this morning.

  Yes, these were all wonderful feelings. Strange, but wonderful. And she was proud of herself for not going into full blown panic mode. Still, she couldn’t have this, not forever with Kieran. She didn’t deserve it. A fact he would soon find out.

  Pulling back from Kieran, she gently shook his shoulder. “Time to get up, sleepy head. We got to get to work.”

  Kieran rolled toward her and grabbed her body. He pulled her into his arms and buried his head in her neck. “Just a few more minutes, mom.”

  Annika chuckled and reached up to push her fingers through his hair. After a few minutes of gently massaging his scalp, she kissed his forehead and then slapped him hard on his ass. “Get up, lazy bones.”

  She jumped from bed before he could retaliate.

  “You’ll pay for that.” The mischievous look on his face told her that she would probably enjoy paying for it.

  CHAPTER 19

  Annika and Kieran quickly dressed and grabbed some food on the way out of the hotel. They made their way to the mark’s house and Keiran waited across the street, hidden in an alleyway. Annika stood a block down on the route the man would take toward the palace.

  About a half an hour before sunrise, the door to the man’s house opened and he walked out. He turned down the street and headed straight for Annika. Kieran fell in step behind him, keeping careful distance so he wouldn’t be noticed. It was still dark enough that Kieran wasn’t too worried about being spotted.

  As the man approached Annika, she stepped into his path. He looked up in surprise at her and gave her a quick smile.

  “Excuse me. Can you tell me which way to the palace? I’ve been out for an early morning walk and I’ve seem to have gotten myself lost.”

  “Of course. It’s right this way. I’m headed there now.”

  “I can’t thank you enough. It’s so easy to get lost on all of these streets.”

  Annika and the man headed down the street and she kept up a constant chatter with him so he would be distracted. As they were approaching a side alleyway, Kieran had caught up and walked up close to the man. Touching him on the shoulder, the man spun around but Kieran whispered a quick binding spell, causing the man’s body to stiffe
n like wood. He was able to carry him to the darkness of the alley. Annika followed them in.

  Laying the man gently on the ground, Kieran put him in a spelled sleep then searched his pockets. He quickly found the man’s papers and scanned them.

  “It appears he works on a cleaning crew. It doesn’t specify any particular crew, so hopefully that will gain you access to anywhere in the palace.”

  Annika nodded. “I should only need a few hours. I hope you both can stay hidden here until I get back.”

  “It shouldn’t be a problem. When we checked it out last night, I figured we can hide behind that low wall over there that houses the garbage. I should be smelling quite nice by the time you get back.”

  Annika grinned at him. Then she pulled out a tiny flask from the pack that Kieran had been carrying. She had whipped up a quick potion last night that would help her keep her glamour if she became distracted having to use other magic. She hoped she didn’t get into a situation that called for that, but it was better to be prepared. She downed it in one gulp and grimaced. “Man that’s gross.”

  Closing her eyes, Annika quickly morphed before Kieran’s eyes. She was an exact doppleganger of the man. “How do I look?”

  Kieran was amazed. Not only did she look exactly like the man, but she sounded like him too. Well, at least he thought she sounded like him. It was deep with the same accent he had heard from other Balvrainians. He had not been able to hear their conversation as they were walking, but hearing the man’s voice had allowed Annika to duplicate it as part of her glamour.

  Not waiting for a response, Annika leaned in close to Kieran. “Are you going to give me a kiss for good luck?”

  “Not a chance,” he laughed. “But please be careful. If you are not back in two hours, I’m going to storm that palace to look for you.”

  The thought made Annika feel warm inside. It was nice to have someone that cared. Feeling playful and before he could move out the way, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.