Exton

I stretch and yawn - a habit I've carried over from life and seem unable to break, even without a need to breathe. It's getting late, and before long I'm going to need to go to ground for the day. Raina and Erik are still shooting the breeze with Tannr, with no end in sight. Ky looks exhausted - but being Ky, she'll never admit it. I get up and walk over to the threesome.

"Can I borrow Raina for just a sec? I'll have her back in just a bit." Raina arches an eyebrow, but walks with me to a quiet corner.

"I'm going to head on home - it's not too long till the dawn - and I'm taking Ky with me. I don't know if you've noticed, but she looks like death on toast. She needs to rest and recuperate, and she won't do it here."

Raina gives Ky a hard look and nods. "I won't be too much longer… it's just we have a lot of catching up to do."

"Take your time. I'll probably be 'asleep' by the time you get home, so you might want to bunk with Gareth - or Gareth and Ky, however it works out." I shrug. "Your call."

She kisses me long and hard, which gets an interesting look from Tannr. "Go home. We'll talk tomorrow."

"I love you."

"I love you, fang-face. Get going."

I do a mock bow and walk over to where K'thyri is staring into space. A cute shifter girl in shorts and halter is giving Gareth the eye and I flick a grin at him in passing. I touch Ky on the shoulder and she jerks, as if startled.

"C'mon, wild one. Time to go home and catch some Z's."

She makes a token protest, then subsides as I steer her out the door with offhand goodbyes to all.

Once outside, she whistles and a grey elvensteed trots up. She makes as if to mount, but I hold up a hand. "Not tonight… I'm driving. You just climb on and hold on to me."

"This is an elvensteed, not some pampered pony."

"I've ridden one of Herne's mounts. 'Nuff said."

I mount up and help her to mount behind me. She settles herself comfortably against my back, her arms around my waist and we're off. The horse needs little to no guidance and in half an hour we're within sight of the Lodge.

I dismount and help Ky to do the same, then dismiss the horse. I sweep a startled Ky into my arms like she weighs as much as a newspaper. "Nick - put me down!"

"Relax and enjoy, kitten." I kiss the top of her head. "You're hurting and exhausted and trying not to show it. I, on the other hand - other than being dead, I feel fine; so let me pamper you tonight and you can be all tough and macho another time, okay?"

She gives me a strangely sad smile and leans her face into my shoulder. I take her to her room, lay her on the bed. "Can you get ready for bed by yourself, or could you use a hand?"

That smile again. "I think I can manage. Thanks, Nick."

"No problem, darlin'." I lean down and kiss her - just the kind of kiss friends share, no more - then stand. "I'm headed to my room, then. Dawn's coming soon. Sleep well, Ky."

"You too, Nick."