Page 17

Oleander

I awake the next morning to Lonan stroking my cheek. As soon as my eyes open, his drop, so as not to startle me.

“Good morning sweetheart. I would normally let you sleep, but with the death of Achlys, we need to discuss strategy at breakfast, and I didn’t imagine you wanted to miss that.”

I smile at him, touched. “You imagined correctly.” I sit up and toss the cover back.

“I had your gowns brought up. They are in the wardrobe,” he says as he slips out of bed, grabs a pile of his clothes, and leaves the bedroom.

I freeze, touched, again, by his thoughtfulness, even if he wasn’t willing to give up his bed to me. I didn’t awake to him curled behind me, thrusting his hard cock against my ass either, so that’s a huge plus , I think.

I quickly use the bathroom and dress, unwrapping my hair. I spot the hairsticks he gave me sitting near the sink and smile. Thoughtful indeed. I quickly wrap my hair up in two twists, one on the upper part of either side of my head, using the emerald sticks to hold them.

I toss on the linen underdress that Cook had given me and tug the arms off my shoulders and put my plum corset over the dress. I am pulling the laces tight when Lonan knocks softly on the door.

“One sec,” I say quickly.

From the other side of the closed door he asks, “May I come in?”

I huff. “Alright.” I’m covered and it’s his room, he probably needs something.

He enters slowly, the door opening. His eyes land on me and he beams at me. “I have something for you,” he says softly as he approaches me.

I stand still as he closes in, his eyes roving me. He lets out a small laugh. “Your hair is adorable like that, Ollie.” Then he holds out a necklace. It’s dark purple amethysts, set in gold. “May I?” he asks nervously.

I smile and nod, stepping towards him. His hands ease around me and he leans forward over me a bit to work the clasp. Then he releases it and his hand smooths it on my upper chest. His eyes take me in. “Gorgeous, sweetheart.”

I glance down and somehow, the magical spell of last night seems to still be in effect. “May I tell you another truth?” I ask softly.

He smiles sweetly, “Always, sweetheart. Always.”

“I... rather like when you call me that.” I flush and spin away, headed out and for the stairs. He doesn’t stop me, but I swear I feel his grin and eyes upon me.

I GET TO THE MAIN HALL and am the first in. As soon as I realize that, I head to the back door into the kitchen.

Cook is there, plating some steaming oatmeal. On the table are bowls of nut butter, honey, apple slices and dried berries.

“Grab yer apron, ya wastrel,” she says, grinning.

I beam back at her and do so, washing my hands and helping her top the bowls.

After a few minutes, she asks, “Are ye doing alright? After yer scare last night?”

“Mmm,” I answer, dusting the last bowls with cinnamon. “Ya heard about that already, eh? I suppose so. Are murder attempts common around here?” I look at her.

She laughs, a bit uneasily. “Nay.”

I nod.

“Come on, let’s bring these out,” she says, again cheerful. I grab two bowls and she grabs the other two and we head into the hall.

Lonan, Kai and Lilac are seated, talking heatedly. It stops as we enter. I place mine and Lilac’s bowl as Cook gets Lonan and Kai. She squeezes my shoulder on the way by.

“There you are, Ollie. I was a little worried,” Lonan says quietly as I sit.

“I can take care of myself, most of the time at least,” I say tartly.

Kai snorts, “You’ll be better able to after a month or so of training with me.”

I freeze, spoon halfway to my mouth. “A month or so?”

He laughs and changes the conversation. “Do we request a new Ordained?”

I answer before I think, “No. They are never to be trusted.”

Lilac looks at me keenly. “We need a couple more alliances. It’s them, Guivre and Larkstead. What makes Monkswick less trustworthy?”

I attempt to take the heat from my tone. “Besides trying to strangle me? Well, the fact that they were probably told to do so by their Mother and Father after they tattled about me being a Stonesthrow.”

The table is quiet a moment and I use the chance to get another bite of warm oatmeal.

“And... why would they care so much about that, Ollie, that they’d order your murder?” Lonan asks gently.

I take a deep breath. “The Ordained at RedWater is a trusted advisor to Alder, though it’s kept quiet.” I pause, “He’s also the one responsible for a large part of my... torment, for many years.”

All three of them react angrily, in their own ways. Kai growls, Lilac slams down her glass and Lonan takes my hand, his energy livid.

“That’s why Rafe stayed,” Lilac grumbles.

My head snaps up. “Yes, Ordained Rafe, that is who...” I trail off. “What do you mean?”

“A new Ordained, one that happens to be a soothsayer arrived last month. But Rafe didn’t return to the Monastery Isles as is standard.”

The door opens and we turn. In strides a somewhat round man, his shaggy hair the color of old straw, skin an odd shade of eggshell, wearing rather shapeless, albeit clean, clothes.

“Korben!” And the three hop up to greet him. He passes out quick hugs and sits next to me as Lilac goes to request another bowl.

He holds out his hand in the human fashion. “Hello. I’m Korben.”

He smells of soil. An earth Fae . I grin. “I’m Oleander.” I shake his hand, warmed at the gesture.

“My consort,” Lonan adds and Korben’s eyes widen a bit.

“Nice to meet you, Korben,” I add.

He nods, smiling and digs into his food.

“Tazi and Cas are preparing for a battle in Squall’s End,” Lilac tosses out carelessly.

“Ugh,” he grunts, “But unsurprising. Word is Alder is increasing his jackassery.”

I snort.

Lonan straightens, “What did you learn in Guivre? We could use any insight. We were just discussing the undeclared houses.” He looks at me, his eyes filled with anguish. “Monkswick is out. We won’t ally with them.” He shakes his head, his anger palpable. “I intend to burn them into the fucking ground.” His words are filled with rage. And devotion.

And suddenly, I want to climb on his cock. Well shit.

Kai’s eyes latch onto mine and I shift uncomfortably. Both at his seemingly-knowing look and my now-wet panties.

“Guivre is worried about Alder’s behavior. They never supported him, but he’s been acting so...”

“Unmoored from reality?” I suggest, helpfully. “A victim of massive head trauma?”

Kai snorts out a distinctive laugh.

I continue, “He’s always been that way, but it is getting worse.”

Korben looks at me but Lilac quickly supplies to him, “She’s his sister.”

“Oh shit,” Korben swears. “ Wait . Lo, you’re fucking the King’s sister ? That shit is just beautiful , friend. I love it.” He giggles.

Korben shakes his head and continues, “I was going for inconsistent. But, yea, they’re worried. I think the Narisa Clan would be open to aligning.”

Lonan nods. “Balthazar wants me to meet there. I won’t do it when the sea is iced.”

I blink at that, trying to figure out the reason but I clear my throat. “I may... uh... have an in with the royal clan there.”

They all turn to me. I shrug. “I can write her, see what she thinks.”

Lonan’s face says we’re going to talk about this in more detail later, but he just nods.

Lilac pushes her empty bowl forwards, and grabs her juice. “We need Larkstead. Need them,” she empathizes.

Lonan nods slowly. “I’ll send a message.”

“Wait,” Kai says, sounding frantic, “Who’s marrying one of them?”

Silence.

“Who?” He asks again, louder.

Lilac and Korben start chuckling.

“Shit, no, not me!” He protests.

Lonan stands, holding out his hand for me. I take it and we head out of the room as Kai continues to argue.

I’M IN MY ROOMS, WHICH Lonan dutifully searched for me before he let me enter, sitting at my desk that looks out a window. The view of the forest beyond the town is lovely and the leaves are almost at their color peak.

I tap my fountain pen against the paper in front of me, trying to find the words.

There’s a knock at the door.

“Enter,” I call, as I, thankfully, cap my pen and turn. It’s Kai.

“Time to train.” He smirks, “I brought you these.”

I look at the bundle in his arms and raise an eyebrow. “Rags?”

He shakes his head, obviously over me and my attitude. Good, maybe he’ll change his mind on training me.

“Some spare clothes from the guard. It’s an older uniform, but clean. I couldn’t find anything else that would fit you.”

When I sit, silent, he trudges over and drops them in my lap.

“Get changed, I’ll be back in five minutes.”

“And if I don’t?” I’m really not in the mood for orders right now. I realize Lonan is right . I probably would be in a better mindset if he’d gone down on me.

Kai gives me a knowing look. “Then you can train in your dress, matters not to me, but when I come back, we’re going to train if I have to toss you over my shoulder, princess.”

I glare at his back as he spins and leaves my rooms.

Fuck. I stand and quickly unlace my corset. Carried out, my ass. Godsdamnit.

I pull on the black slacks. I tie them in around my waist. They are a bit tight over my hips but the legs cover my feet. I lean over and cuff them tightly. I put the top on and it’s a simple loose tunic that I need to roll the sleeves on. I head to the bathroom and pull out my hair sticks, my hair dropping in waves. I grab a tie and start to braid it tightly down my head.

I hear the door open but before I can call to Kai, I hear a low chuckle. “Oh, princess, I love a little hunt. Don’t try to hide.”

A shiver goes through me and I imagine hiding in the woods, waiting for Kai to find me and fuck me.

What the stones is wrong with me?

“I’m in here!” I yell, popping my head out as I finish up my braid.

He looks almost disappointed. “Good. Come on.”

I follow him out and downstairs. His steps are quick and I hurry to keep up.

“Where are we headed?” I ask, to his back since he won’t slow down for me.

I’m answered with silence and my annoyance only grows. He leads us out of the keep and towards the long, low building I’d marked as the barracks, or somewhat of the sort. Kai pushes open the rough hewn door and enters, holding the door for me to follow. I do and his eyes are scanning the room. Hmm. I guess he takes keeping me alive for Lonan seriously .

I take in the space. It’s not a dormitory, as I had imagined, but a weapons room. Several Fae are around, changing clothes or choosing weapons. There’s a wall that runs the width of the building with three doors in it.

All the Fae turn and greet Kai. He nods, silent. Then he strides to a rack and grabs several weapons. My stomach flips but I follow, my face frozen. He heads to one of the side doors and I trail after him, feeling helpless.

Once inside, I take in the space. It’s a smaller room, with a door at the back as well. Long, high windows run the length of the room on the one side. The floor is covered in mats and a mirror covers the wall opposite the windowed one. Kai places the weapons in a stand near the door. I notice there is a small table with a large water pitcher, glasses and what looks like medical supplies. Lovely .

“Alright, Oleander,” Kai starts, his deep voice soft but rumbly, “What have you trained with?” He digs something out of his pocket and pulls his loose dark-copper curls back into a bun.

“Mmm,” I shrug. “Nothing really.” I look at the ground, my eyes on my feet.

“Nothing?” He asks, the disbelief obvious in his voice.

When I don’t respond, he’s silent a moment. “Listen, princess.” He sighs. “Lonan trusts me. You can trust me. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him, including endanger you. Just tell me the truth.”

I stare harder at my shoes. I hear Kai pace to me as I am motionless; he stops directly in front of me. From my perhipery, I watch his hands rise. I tense but he doesn’t touch me.

I blurt without looking up, “My last lov–uh. I was taught to use a small dagger a bit. Just the general stuff any woman should know.”

Silence.

“Alright. That’s a start.” He takes a deep breath. “What of your magic? Lonan said–”

My eyes fly upward, meeting his green ones. “Lonan said what? Exactly ? What did he tell you about me?”

He raises his hands in a placating gesture but I’m not in the mood for placating. I glare at him.

He presses his lips inward and together and I get the distinct impression he’s trying not to smile.

“All Lo said was that you’re a strong earth Fae.” A worried look crosses his face and he continues, “Oleander, your job is to learn to keep yourself alive long enough for me to get to you. That’s all you need to do. Delay them until I’m there to kill them, princess.”

His words spark something deep within me and my eyes fall to his lips. I huff. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

Kai blinks slowly as he tilts his head. “You are, though? A princess. Of the ruling family of Faery.”

I make a displeased noise. “Perhaps as a very small faeling I was called such, but you are the only person I can remember who has ever called me that.”

An odd look passes over his face.

“If you can use a dagger a bit, let’s start with short swords,” he says, turning and heading for the rack. “Shoes off,” he commands simply. It’s obvious he’s used to being obeyed and for some reason, that thought makes me press my thighs together.

I toe off my shoes as he hands me a small short sword that seems to be a good size for me.

“Show me, princess. Attack.”

I take a deep breath, and step forwards quickly, sword up as if to slice at him. He quickly blocks me. I step back, pause, and try again, this time dropping my sword sideways a bit to slash at his side. He blocks again. I bite my lip, frustrated. I stab straight forwards, hard, aiming for his stomach. I know stomach wounds are an awful way to die. He bats my sword away as if I was merely a child with a stick.

I snarl, frustrated.

“Your royal family truly left you untrained? That’s... a poor choice.” He slowly approaches, raising his sword. “Block,” He encourages, before continuing, “Even if you’re a strong offensive magic user...” Our swords clack and he nods, dropping and angling his sword, “Block again. And I’ve never met an offensive earth Fae.” He twists his sword in a way that spins mine as he raises it. He steps into me, our swords locked between us. “I’d think a royal family would want their daughter to protect themselves. Oh,” a thought hits his eyes as he slowly forces my sword downward with his, this excruciatingly slow pantomime of a sword fight. “Were you a pampered, spoiled little princess?” He raises his eyebrows, amused. Kai smirks and raises his sword for a straight thrust. “From above,” he directs patiently.

I’m ire made flesh at this point, needled by his bullshit teasing and being treated as a child with this “fight.” I grit my teeth and raise my sword to press his downward.

He nods, “Yes, that must be it. You were fed from a golden spoon and slept on silk, a guard to watch you at all times. You give off a ‘come wipe my ass for me’ vibe.” He smirks.

My skin is prickled and I’m sweating. My magic dives, aching to be let out. I struggle with it.

“Up!” Kai calls in a way that seems he’s said it already. “Gods, you can’t be spoiled, untrained and dumb, princess.”

My vision turns white and I snap.

“I was locked in a cell for near a decade! I didn’t see the sun, or the stars, or the trees!” I gulp back a sob. Stay angry. “I was beaten and abused and when I was lucky, forgotten. So-fucking-sorry if I don’t have blade skills!” I yell as I attack, haphazardly, poorly, rage-filled, my sword clanging off his as he easily blocks me.

Kai’s face is utter shock. His hand flies out, pulling my short sword from my hand as he drops his. He pulls me into his arms, one hand cupping the back of my head, pressing my face to his chest firmly but gently.

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Ollie. I’m so sorry.”

I breathe in his cedar and smoke smell as I pant, trying to control my emotions and my magic.

I’m not sure if he’s apologizing for being an ass or if he’s sorry for what happened to me but either way, I’m still pissed. I take another deep breath of his intoxicating scent and push firmly away from him. His arms hesitate as if he’d not let me go but they drop after a moment.

I spin, heading off the mats, striding for the door in as dignified a way as I can manage.

“Princess, wait!” Kai says behind me but it only quickens my feet. I push the door open and head through the front, out the door and into the fresh air.

THE NEXT FEW DAYS PASS easily. Kai avoids me like the plague, though I found my shoes I had left in the training room by my doors. I’m glad of it, glad to not be dragged for training, yet I find myself thinking of his freckles on his startled face after I yelled at him about my imprisonment.

Lonan and I have seemed to have found a rhythm and he doesn’t push for anything physical. I manage to avoid any heavy discussions, but I know soon, he’ll insist on hearing of my background from me, instead of the version that Kai has surely told him. I try, repeatedly, to put pen to paper to send to Guivre Shores, but everytime, words fail me. I must do it, for all of us . I wish I could speak of it to someone, but my only confidants here are Cook and Lu, and I don’t believe these are matters I can speak of to them. If Tazi was back, I would spill to her. But I have no idea when she’ll return and the letter is an urgent matter.

Lonan and I are getting ready for bed. Every evening, I’ve been bathing in my rooms and putting on my night gown, then wrapping up in a gorgeous flannel floor length robe Lonan had surprised me with, and heading up to his bed. When I arrive tonight, he’s in his loose black slacks that he sleeps in and he’s bent over his desk. His energy feels tense.

I cock my head, “What is it, love?”

The endearment slips out and I feel like an idiot. He’s not my love. But I guess the easy pattern we’ve fallen into has lulled me. And the look he gives me in response, beaming, makes my heart flutter. He straightens, holding out his arm to me. I pace across the room, tucking into his body as his arm curves around me.

“A note from Cas,” he says softly in my ear.

“Oh?”

“The attack hasn’t begun, but troops have surrounded Squall’s End. Attempts to speak with the King or his representative have gone ignored.”

I shake my head, “The King won’t be in the army.”

“Of course not, sweetheart. I know he is a coward, a lead-from-safety pantywaste.”

I nod slowly. “We need the dragons,” I murmur.

He makes an affirmative noise. “Have you... sent the message to your contact?”

Shaking my head, embarrassed at my delay, I answer, “I need to consult with someone first.”

His lips graze over the shell of my ear, “I’m always happy to speak with my mate.” His other arm comes around my waist and he gently pulls me against his body.

I bend, letting my body curve into him and it feels better than I’d like to admit. I want his comfort, I realize suddenly. Fuck. Fuck . I’m abruptly overwhelmed with an urge to kiss him.

“I need... a woman’s perspective. May I speak of sensitive matters with Cook or Lu?”

He makes a sound of consideration as he seems to think on it. “They likely hear a lot, and I trust them, but I would not have you speaking freely of such things to them.” He shakes his head, “No. Speak to Lilac.”

I manage not to snort but I do calmly say, “I don’t believe she likes me.”

“She likes no one.”

I chuckle at that. Lo’s hands slide slowly to my hips; he turns me to face him.

“I’m desperate for you, Oleander,” his voice is a whisper as his lips trail up my exposed neck. I shiver and he chuckles lowly upon seeing it.

“Do you need me, sweetheart?” He purrs.

Yes , my mind answers. “No,” I say curtly. I twist slowly out of his embrace, turning to look at him. His very dark brown waves are loose and messy, and he’s shirtless, showing off the intricate tattoos that run from his hands to his pecs. He steps back, running a hand through his hair, frustrated.

I try to head the conversation off. “I cannot rely on herbs with a questionable success rate to not be pregnant. I cannot be pregnant in a war.”

He nods, “I understand that, Ollie. But...”

I frown, already guessing at what he’s going to say. It’s what any man says in the face of this.

“I could... finish... outside your body. Or...” he pauses, his face desperate, “We could stick to oral.” He smiles, “Didn’t you enjoy my tongue last time?”

I did. Greatly .

I shrug nonchalantly. He blinks, surprised, a flicker of hurt across his face.

I sigh, “I thought... you had Kai? For your needs?”

He grimaces. “I want you , Oleander. You! Your touch upon my skin, your hands in my hair, your body gripped around mine.”

I shake my head, truly sad for us both, for I do dearly want to climb on that big cock of his.

Instead I change the topic. “When will you tell your Inner Circle that I’m not just your consort? That I’m your spirit mate? None of them know.” I step backward. I’m over this, and over the ache between my legs. He’s silent, his maroon eyes sad. I climb into bed and turn my back to him.

Several moments pass before he climbs in too, carefully avoiding touching me.

All I want to do is get off. Rub myself to relief, but I can hardly do that with him right here. I try to wait until he falls asleep but my eyes quickly become heavy, despite the need between my legs. Just before I give into sleep, I realize he’s probably trying to do the exact same thing.