Chapter 186: Sun and Sand
**Avery**
The plane hummed, a low, steady vibration that thrummed through the soles of my feet. It was a sleek, obsidian marvel, more a personal yacht than simple transport. Sunlight, still pale but growing stronger, streamed through the large panoramic windows, illuminating the plush interior. I sat curled up on a cream-colored chaise lounge, a soft cashmere blanket draped over my legs, a mug of steaming butterfly leaf tea warming my hands.
James sat opposite me, poring over a large map, his brow furrowed in concentration. He traced a line with his finger, occasionally glancing up, his regal profile silhouetted against the brightening sky. Vincent stood by another window, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the receding landscape, a silent sentinel. Donn, predictably, had found the mini-bar, already pouring himself a generous measure of something amber.
The Trio, a whirlwind of energy even at this early hour, were scattered around the cabin. Clint was attempting to teach Cassius a complicated card trick, while Conner, perched on the armrest of my chaise, regaled me with increasingly absurd theories about the mating habits of rare Talosian sea slugs. “They communicate telepathically, you see,” Conner explained, his voice a dramatic whisper, “but only when the moon is in its third quarter and they’re both covered in a very specific type of bioluminescent algae.”
“Conner, you’re making that up,” I giggled, feeling lighter than I had in hours.
“Am I?” He tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Or is it simply a truth too profound for your mind to grasp?”
“It’s a truth too ridiculous for any mind to grasp,” Cassius interjected from across the cabin, not looking up from his cards. “Clint, are you sure you shuffled these?”
“Of course, I’m sure,” Clint protested, his hands moving with deceptive speed, dealing another round. “Perhaps you’re just not as observant as you think, big brother.”
Donn sauntered over, a glass in hand, his dark hair falling over one eye. “Observance is a luxury for the privileged, Cassius. Some of us are too busy contemplating the existential dread of early morning travel to notice whether the ace of spades is secretly winking at us.”
“It is winking,” Clint muttered, then quickly amended, “I mean, it could be.”
James finally looked up from his map. “I’ve narrowed it down to two locations. Both secluded, both with excellent natural defenses.” He gestured to the map. “This one, ‘Azure Cove,’ is known for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters. Very few permanent residents. The other, ‘Dragon’s Tooth Beach,’ is more rugged, with volcanic rock formations and hidden coves, but equally private.”
Vincent turned from the window, his gaze sharp. “Azure Cove. Less… dramatic.”
Donn raised an eyebrow. “Less dramatic? Vincent, you’re practically a walking thunderstorm. You’re going to pick the calmest beach?”
“For Avery,” Vincent stated simply, his eyes meeting mine. “No more drama.”
I felt a blush warm my cheeks. His intensity was always startling, but his concern was equally profound.
“Azure Cove it is then,” James announced, rolling up the map. “I’ll inform the pilot.” Conner leaned closer to me. “See? Even the brooding one agrees. He secretly craves fluffy towels and gentle waves.”
“I crave silence,” Vincent said, his voice flat, though a flicker of amusement crossed his features.
“And you’ll get it,” Clint promised, looking up from his cards. “Except for my booming laughter and Cassius’s incessant flexing, of course.”
“I do not incessantly flex,” Cassius grumbled, though he subtly adjusted his posture. “You’re doing it now,” Donn pointed out, taking a sip of his drink. “It’s a compulsion, really. Like a dragon hoarding gold, but with biceps.”
Cassius threw a pillow at him. Donn caught it with one hand, a smirk on his face. The gentle banter, the easy camaraderie, was a balm to my soul. It was a stark contrast to the chilling silence of my nightmare, a symphony of life and love that pushed the darkness further away. “Are you feeling better, love?” James asked, his voice softening as he looked at me.
I nodded, feeling the warmth of the tea spread through me. “Much. Thank you. All of you.”
Clint abandoned his card game and came to sit beside me, taking my hand. “Don’t thank us. You’re ours. Keeping you safe and happy is our only job.”
“And a job we take very seriously,” Conner added, leaning his head against mine. “Especially when it involves sun, sand, and… well, you know.” His eyes twinkled.
“He means swimming,” Cassius clarified, though his own grin suggested otherwise.
“Of course,” Conner purred. “Lots and lots of swimming. Preferably naked.”
“Conner!” I gasped, laughing despite myself.
“What?” He shrugged innocently. “It’s a private beach, isn’t it? And it’s much more aerodynamic.”
Donn chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re incorrigible.”
“It’s one of my many charms,” Conner declared proudly.
Vincent, still by the window, turned slightly, a faint smile touching his lips. It was a rare sight, and it warmed me more than the tea. Even he was relaxing, easing into the promise of the journey.
The plane continued its steady flight, carrying us away from the grey skies of central Talos, towards the glittering promise of the coast. The phantom chill was gone, replaced by a deep, abiding warmth that radiated from my mates, a warmth that promised to chase away any lingering shadows.
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