Page 81 of Serpent In White

“Ryle’s food is great, you know it.”

“I’m not kidding, Abdiel. You’re a phenomenal cook.” I whisper in his ear, “You’re exceptionally talented, baby. I hope you know that.”

“Okay, you need to leave before I fall to my knees again,” he mumbles, and I laugh.

I kiss him one, two, three more times before we finally pry ourselves apart and I leave the room.

The second I step out into the hallway, I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting it out slowly. My fingers brush over my lips, raw and swollen from all the kisses. I savor the feelings, just as I savor the tightness in my chest…

I think I’m in love.

“Sleep well, sir?”

A voice startles me out of my reverie, enough that I jump and glare at the culprit. It’s just Perry, standing there looking at me like everything is normal. Which it isn’t… Because I’m in love with a Domestic half my age, and I spent all night and all morning doing very un-straight things with him, some of which involved my brother.

But to Perry, I just slept until almost eleven, which is also not normal. Still, I need to respond to him and act like nothing out of the ordinary happened. So I straighten up and stretch my arms behind my back.

“Yes, thank you. I needed a sleep-in day.”

“I’m sure.” Perry grins. I narrow my gaze at him. “Because of all the stress… with the upcoming solstice festival.”

Letting out a quiet breath, I nod. “Right. Yes… the festival. Speaking of that, let’s go find Lauris and get to work.”

“Very good, sir,” Perry agrees, and we wander off.

It takes all my strength not to turn over my shoulder, to glance back at the room where I just left the newest piece of my heart.

It’s been a few hours, and I’m pleased with how much we’ve gotten done. Although I was late, and the girls started without me.

We’ve been planning our annual summer solstice festival for a couple of weeks now, and everything is set to go off without a hitch. Solstice is in ten days and we’re ahead of schedule, which pleases me.

Festivals are a big part of The Principality. We like to celebrate as a family, though we don’t follow the traditional holidays of the outside world. It was something Drake and I agreed upon when we first started. Why celebrate Hallmark holidays that revolve around vanity when we can celebrate the seasons’ blessings from Mother?

Summer solstice is probably the most popular, though the harvest festival is the biggest. A majority of our family truly love summer, and solstice is the kick-off of everyone’s favorite time of year. We also have a winter solstice party, complete with an exchange of gifts. We wanted to keep the values of Christmas, gratefulness and giving, without the same confused religious aspects. And then there’s the budding festival, like a mix between Valentine’s Day and Easter, or as close as you’d get here. We just did that one a couple of months ago. It celebrates the end of the winter months.

Lauris always takes the reins on planning the festivals. Gem and Emithel love helping her with it, and Kiara and Alissa tend to steer clear, though I’m usually able to wrangle their assistance with menial tasks. I like everyone to feel included, and I think everyone should pitch in.

“Alright. This is good,” Lauris says, making notes on her list, crossing things off and adding new items to address. “Ryle will prepare the food. Though, do we really want to put all of that on him? It’s a lot…”

Without even thinking, my voice bursts, “Abdiel should do it.”

Lauris and Gem stare at me, and I try incredibly hard to keep a straight face. Not the face of someone who just unintentionally brought up the name of his secret lover he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about in three hours and thirty-six minutes.

“Abdiel? Really?” Lauris asks. “Isn’t he a little young?”

“He’s not that young,” I grumble.Projecting. You’re projecting.“And besides, he’s an excellent cook. You can’t deny that.”

“He’s right,” Emithel murmurs while sketching the lake in her notepad. “Last night’s dinner was incredible.”

“It was,” Gem swoons at the memory of the delectable food Abdiel made last night. “And he’s, like, really cute.”

She giggles but stops short when her eyes meet mine. I’m glowering, and I hadn’t even realized it.

“That has nothing to do with it.” I fold my hands on the table. “He’s talented enough. Have him work sous chef to Ryle if you like. But give him at least two menu items of his own.”

Lauris squints at me for a moment but straightens up quick and nods. “You heard the King.”

I wink at her, and she grins, jotting down information on the meals we’ll require. Everything else is taken care of. Drake will have Lorn and a couple others from the Tribe string up those cool twinkly lights everyone loves, Gina will help secure flowers and decor. Cam will handle games for the kids, and Perry will make sure we’re stocked on party favors for the adults.