Page 10

Lonan

“ W hat are you worried about, sweetheart?”

The moment the endearment slips out of my lips, I curse myself internally. I cannot like this woman. This is... an infatuation. That I’ll fuck out of me.

Her big coral eyes are glistening with tears and the fear I see on her face is real. I let go of one of her elbows and my hand rises to cup her soft cheek. I can almost feel the curves of her now full hips through her dress.

“Tell me,” I command, firmer.

Her eyes flick back and forth within mine, searching. She whispers, “King Alder,” as a tremor goes through her body. I swiftly take her wine glass and set it next to mine, then scoop her into my arms.

She squeaks in protest. “Please, Sire, you must not—”

“Hush, Allie, I mean nothing untowards, I promise you, I would never...” I carry her to my deep couches, pulling a blanket around her as I sit, crossing my legs under me, with her in my lap.

“What did he do to you Allie?”

“I... I misspoke, Sire, I would never accuse King Alder...”

“I’ve heard of many, many of his misdeeds. I would believe aught you told me, sweetheart. You are safe here. You can tell me.” My words get softer and softer until I’m damn near whispering into her insanely soft white hair.

She turns her face to mine, upset clear, “You just told me you were sending me away!”

I huff. “I would never send you away if you wished to stay! Besides, it would still be here, in Thistle Grove. I thought it was what you wanted.”

A tiny grin plays on her perfect lips. “So... I can stay? Here in the keep?”

“Of course, Allie. I merely thought you... considered it improper somehow, to partake in a... anything with me... if I was your captor or employer.”

“Oh, I do, very much so, my lord.” She blinks her big eyes at me.

I stare at her a moment, my heart downtrodden. And it hits me, I process the edge in her tone. And without thought, I dig my fingers into her ribs. She squeals and tries to jump up as laughter overtakes her as I tickle. “You’re teasing me, you sneak!”

She collapses into giggles, her little body squirming on mine delightfully. I immediately quit tickling and cradle her close, loosely, conscious for any tensing of her body.

She whispers, sounding a bit breathless, “Not teasing, Lonan. I did, I would think that. But... I... Goddess, I’m just so...”

My eyes search hers, silently begging her to say it.

“I’m just so drawn to you,” she whispers, and she blushes, looking down into her lap.

Against my better judgement, I say the thought echoing in my head, “And I you, Allie. I cannot explain it.”

She gazes up at me and slowly nods. Her head leans forward and I tilt mine down. She doesn’t retreat so I ease in. She angles her face upward and my lips are damn near against hers. I wait a moment, to see if she’ll shy away again, but she stays frozen, utterly still.

“Allie,” I murmur, like a prayer. “May I kiss you?”

“Yes,” she breathes, her fingers clenching in my shirt.

I lean in, letting my lips graze against hers in the lightest touch. A tiny sound escapes her, a pleasure sound, and an image so intense and explicit hits me that I groan, lips parting. Allie leans into me, her tiny tongue touching my parted lips before retreating and I dive after it, tongue searching her mouth.

She makes a little peep of distress and pulls away slowly. I gaze down at her, my head buzzing and my dick hard. I lean in again to kiss her once more but she tucks her head against my chest, nuzzling in a bit and my heart softens even more to her. My head is swimming. I understand now.

I hold her silently for a long time, both of us just enjoying the simple touch of the other. The fire crackles and as the sun fully sets, the glow from the near full moon falls in the large windows. Her breath evens out and I wonder if she’s fallen asleep but when I tilt my head, I see her pale eyelashes blinking, her hand resting upon my chest.

Finally, Allie murmurs, “My lord, I must go. I need to sleep; I am at work early in the morning.”

My knee-jerk reaction is to beg her to stay, even like this, even with no more touching than this; and to tell her that I’ll tell Cook she’s allowed to be late. But even as the words hit my tongue half-formed, I realize how much she’ll hate that. I sigh and lower her legs carefully.

“Alright, sweetheart. But I have three questions for you,” I say as she stands and shakes out her brilliant green dress.

She smiles, “Ask me as you walk me to my room?”

I love this little spark from her so I nod enthusiastically. “First,” I say, as I stand and hold out my hand for her, “Did you have a hobby? At RedWater?”

She blinks up at me, surprised. We take the stairs together. “I... gardened. I love plant lore and growing things.”

I nod; makes sense for an earth Fae. I open my doors and lead her onto the second floor. “Next question, Allie. Do you prefer summer or winter?”

I look down at her as we head towards the wide staircase that leads to the first floor. She wrinkles her nose. “Neither. Fall is the best season.”

I chuckle, “Cheater.”

She sticks out her tongue at me.

Now on the main floor, I lead her to her room in silence. Once there, I turn her towards me, her back to the door. “Now. Tell me: Do you want me? Do you see yourself enjoying my bed, Allie?” My voice is low and husky.

She blushes deeply; I can see it spread across her chest. “I... my lord.”

I gaze hard at her, silent.

“Y–yes, my lord.”

And at that, she spins and flees to her room, slamming and locking the door behind her. I lean my head against the wood, still in shock.

When I can finally pull myself up, I sneak back to my room, silent as I go past Kai’s door. I cannot see him right now.

As soon as I’m in my rooms, I pour myself a double shot of liquor and down it in one go. Did she figure it out too? I replay the moment in my mind. The tentative touch of her tongue, the full press of our lips together. No, I don’t think so . She doesn’t seem like a good liar, I would have noticed if she felt it too.

I run my hands through my hair, disrupting the bun. How? How is this happening? To me? And now?

What an utter disaster.

Kai and I have kept our relationship secret, let everyone believe that we consider ourselves brothers, because, we’ve known for decades now, that we’ll most likely both have to offer ourselves in marriage to secure the treaties needed to pull off this coup. We spoke of it, once, years ago, and decided that it was a price we were willing to pay for our revenge.

But now. Now. Oh, fuck, how could I give up them both? I grab the bottle and pull straight from it.

THE NEXT MORNING, I drag my sorry ass out of bed and take a long bath. I’m late to breakfast, but Cook has held the food for me. I slip into my seat and Kai glances at me archly. Achlys is across from me, looking as foreboding as ever. Caspian and Tazi are chatting.

“Good morning,” I greet them, my voice rough.

“Tis late evening to me,” Achlys says calmly.

“Ah, yes,” I nod. “I look forward to our discussion after your rest, Ordained.”

I’d rather have sticks driven under my fingernails. This damn Ordained has proven to be nothing but slick, refusing to give solid terms or agree to any we propose.

The kitchen door opens and Allie steps out. I stare at her like a fool. I notice she has the hair sticks I gave her in her hair. I make a note to myself to get her some earrings that will graze that delicate neck of hers. She delivers our plates for breakfast, tray balanced on her shoulder easily.

I am staring at her as she makes her way around the table, in a way I hope is not too wistful. But I notice the glare Kai is throwing her way. As she hands him his plate, he asks her something, causing her to lean down, the high neck of her rich blue gown dipping so that I can see the heartbeat flutter in the hollow of her throat. She’s afraid of him, I think. Feelings war inside me. Allie turns and heads for the kitchen.

Suddenly, the doors to the hall open and in marches Lilac. I nod at my Captain. She looks tired but triumphant.

“Allie, please have Cook fix Lilac a plate,” I project my voice so she’ll hear me across the room.

Lilac takes a seat, a grin playing upon her lips.

“How was your mission?” I ask, leaving out details given Achlys listening intently.

“Good. The suggestion given was very useful and I learned much.”

Allie slips back in, silently, and places a plate in front of Lilac. Lilac’s eyes land on Allie and for a moment, I see undisguised hatred in her gaze. I blink, protectiveness leaping inside of me and I grip the arm of my chair for control.

I force a tight nod as I watch Allie head back to the kitchen. “Good,” I say shakily. “We’ll meet after breakfast and talk more.”

AS SOON AS I CAN, I retreat to my rooms. I flop down on a couch and close my eyes, hoping to grab a few minutes of sleep.

BANG. BANG.

Lilac.

“Come in,” I holler, as I left it unlocked.

Lilac heads up my stairs. And, because the Gods hate me, Kai follows her. Fuck .

I try to school my face, but Kai generally knows my emotions before I do. I sit up with a groan as Lilac tosses herself into a chair and Kai takes the other couch.

“What did you learn?”

Lilac smirks. “Hello to you too, Lonan.”

I roll my eyes.

She continues, “I used the kitchen as the maid suggested. I learned a few things.”

I make a go on motion with one hand as I rub my head with the other.

“First off, there is a new Ordained at RedWater. But the old one, Rafe, is still there; he hasn’t returned to the Monastary Isles.”

“Odd,” Kai remarks.

“RedWater intends to attack Squall’s End right before the first hard frost.”

“Fuck,” Kai and I swear at the same time.

“We’ll send a messenger to Favorsham; see if we can get some more troops dug into Squall’s End. I’ll make sure the contingent at Centerhedge is ready to step in.” I frown.

Kai shakes his head. “We need more air Fae or a location closer to Squall’s End, if we’re going to do anything meaningful.”

I nod, “We need Guivre.”

They both nod.

I sigh, “I didn’t expect an attack on a town Alder relies on. Shit, Squall’s End is his nearest neighbor of any size. Do we own any of the council members there?” I ask, trying to remember.

“Three.”

“Write them,” I direct Kai. “And kill two of the other members and get our people in their place.” I look back to Lilac. “Anything else?”

She smirks. “Yes. Larkstead is flirting with them.”

“Fuck,” Kai curses angrily. “Damn them and their forty-three children.”

Lilac laughs, “Six. They have six sons.” She sobers. “One of you needs to marry one of them. I know, I know,” she raises her hands at Kai’s noise of outrage, “Just think on it.”

I chuckle, “Less enthused about a marriage when it’s your ass on the line, hm, Kai?”

He glares at us both, silent.

Lilac tilts her body towards mine. “Your turn to be pissy. I found out something you’re not going to like. That maid? Allie? She was never a maid at RedWater.”

The accusation is loud in the now-silent room. It takes me a moment to process.

“Bullshit. Says who?”

“Everyone. From the cook, to the Mistress of the Maids, the head groom, all the other maids and I spoke to nine of them, by the way. No one matching her description has been in the castle in decades.”

I stand, fear boiling in my gut.

Kai stands too, his eyes hard. He looks at Lilac, “Take her to a cell.”

Lilac’s eyes flick to me and I am still, frozen, so she nods to Kai and heads out.

Kai and I stand silent until the door shuts behind her.

His head shakes, “I was afraid she was a spy.” His face is tense, almost hurt. Probably because I was thinking with my dick.

“Kai–” I start.

“Don’t,” he snaps. “Not a word, Lo.” And he turns on his heel and leaves.