Page 5 of Made

Her lips parted. Ilmr’s appreciation of Vidar’s charms was growing by the minute.

“Nothing in the divine world could please me more than lunch with you,” he said.

She ducked her chin, smiled provocatively, and said, “Nothing?”

Vidar’s pants grew even tighter. He had something in mind that would taste far better than lunch. “Well…”

He let the word hang in the air, which delighted Ilmr to no end. She rang for Kyeya, who appeared so quickly one might’ve taken it for magic.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day.”

Kyeya suppressed a stutter. Barely. “Allyour appointments?”

Ilmr jerked her head toward Kyeya in warning. “You heard me correctly. Bring usKåldolmarand Köttbullar.” She smiled at Vidar as she said, “With fruit.”

Ilmr managed to make the word “fruit” sound suggestive. Vidar grinned in return, but shifted in his chair in a way that let the queen know he understood her seductive message and was more than receptive to the idea of afternoon delight.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Poor Kyeya knew there’d be a price to pay for cancellations and that she’d be the one paying it, but Vidar and Ilmr were far too focused on each other to hear the distress in her voice. Even so, it’s unlikely it would’ve factored into Ilmr’s decision-making.

A person who’s been a queen all her life has no use for empathy. The same might also be said for gods.

“Let the rest of the staff know I’m entertaining in my quarters,” Ilmr added. “I’m prepared for the delivery and presentation of lunch, but will not accept other interruptions.”

“Does that include removal after lunch?”

“It does. Clean up later.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

When Kyeya was gone, Vidar was first to break the silence. “Have you thought of some way I might be of service, Your Highness?”

“First, I’d like you to use my name. Titles are for those beneath my stature. Without doubt, that excludes you, sir. Call me Ilmr.”

“Very well. Ilmr.” He tasted her name, then let his tongue roam slowly around his mouth, all the while thinking about other things he’d like to do with his tongue.

“As to what you might do for me…” She turned her head so that she might seem coquettish and spoke with lowered eyelids. “Aside from the obvious.”

Vidar was finding that Ilmr’s teasing was growing in boldness in direct relation to his receptivity. It was also nearing painful. Then she changed the subject abruptly and completely. He welcomed a new topic so that he might occupy his thoughts with something other than cunnilingus.

“You make me smile, Vidar.”

“That pleases me immensely. Ilmr.”

“I say this because it’s remarkable. It’s been a long time since I’ve smiled.”

Vidar cocked his head. He’d been watching her from a distance for a long time and had noticed that she didn’t smile. “Why is that?”

“I learned, some while ago, that I’m… I’m quite embarrassed to say this and fear you may not like me as much once you hear it.”

“There is nothing you could tell me that might cause me to like you less. Tell me what troubles you.”

“It seems I’m thought of as lowest ranking among the fae queens. “

“I see. Who is it who thinks this?”

“All magic kind.”