Page 7

Oleander

N ot long after Lonan’s visit, a maid enters my rooms.

Her fluffy tail swishes happily as she holds out my folded dresses. “Hi! I’m Lu! You’re to get dressed and follow me.”

I smile, her enthusiasm infectious. “Ok, Lu. That sounds great. I’m Allie. Just give me a sec?”

She nods and I slip into the bathroom, quickly giving myself a wipe down and slipping into my dress. I smooth down the navy fabric as I get my persona in place. I cannot fuck this up .

I step back in the room and Lu has her back to me. My eyes catch again on her tail. Some type of fox, I’d reckon. It makes me feel good about Thistle Grove; that a shifter would be comfortable enough to keep to their half-shifted form.

When the Veil Stones failed, we had just started to use human science to learn more about ourselves. Turns out, the reason shifters could only procreate with other shifters was simple: they have a different number of chromosomes than the rest of the Fae do. The reason why wasn’t found before we were cut off. But the realization did what any familiar with humanity would expect: those who already hated shifters used this information as further support for their hatred. And the fact that humans could interbreed with any Fae, shifters included, caused those who saw no differences in the Fae to use that as further proof that we’re all related.

It’s rather a moot point now. King Alder has been persecuting shifters for decades. Only Guivre Shores stands in open opposition to his positions. Most likely because their ruling family are dragon shifters. Most essentials ignore the blatant attacks on shifters, as they are safe. Or currently are safe, anyway.

Lu grins at me as she turns and leads me out into the hall and down the wing. My sense of the keep is minimal but I believe we’re headed back towards the hall where I had breakfast with Lonan and his closest advisors.

Lu starts to chat, “So, that there is the staff office, that is where you can find the laundry, those doors there are all guest rooms. Both this floor and the second floor have big closets with cleaning supplies and linens.”

When she pauses, I ask, “Where are we headed?”

She slows, so I can keep pace next to her. “To the kitchen.”

I ponder that in silence as she continues her impromptu tour.

She pushes on the heavy wooden door and I’m immediately greeted with the aroma of fresh bread. My eyes land on the little round Fae, her grey hair braided down her back and an apron covering her petal-pink dress. An earth Fae, I’d guess, taking in her rounded cheeks and kind brown eyes.

She gives me a quick once-over. “Not quite as sickly as when ye got here,” she nods. ‘Do ye have any kitchen experience?”

I hesitate. “Just personal,” I settle on.

She nods, “Aye. C’mon then lassie. Call me Cook.” And she pulls an apron off a wall hook and holds it out to me.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER , I’m laughing and covered in flour. But I’ve chopped vegetables for tonight’s dinner of stew for the entire castle and helped prep bread for tomorrow.

Cook’s eyes take in the sun on the floor that’s filtering in through a window and turns to the smallest oven. She pulls on gloves and opens it, removing some type of fruit croissant. “Can ye make glaze?” She asks as my mouth waters.

“If you tell me how, I surely can,” I quirk a smile at her and she laughs.

“Put some crushed sugar in a bowl, press it with a fork, add a pinch of salt and a hearty splash of milk.”

I nod as I follow her directions. Soon I have a gooey, translucent glaze and Cook brings a pastry over. “Now use the fork to drizzle it over, heavily.”

I do and turn to her for her approval.

She’s nodding. “Perfect, Allie. Tradition says we eat the first one we finish.” She grins as she sees the shock on my face, but only for a second, then I’m shoving the warm, sweet dessert into my mouth.

“Mmmm,” I mumble around it, “‘s fucking perfect.”

She laughs and puts an arm around my shoulders. It makes something deep within me ache painfully and the sugar turns to ash in my mouth.

WHEN I HIT MY BED THAT evening, I’m exhausted. Kitchen help keep long hours. I hear the door lock behind me and I glower. Not trusted enough to not be locked in at night. It’s rather heartening that they are so cautious however; I don’t want them killed. I didn’t see Lonan or any of his circle once I got to the kitchen, but I’m hopeful I will soon. I tug the blanket up and roll over, too tired to do aught else.

NEAR UPON A WEEK GOES by in which I am waking before the sun and in bed much after moonrise. However, I can eat essentially whatever and whenever I wish. Thankfully, this has gotten me back to my normal weight. I do know that once I start expending magic again, that I will return to the fast rate at which I burn through my stores of energy. And while I am somewhat concerned that I have seen neither the Commander nor his General during this week of kitchen work, I am quickly earning the trust of other servants within the keep.

So when on the eighth night of kitchen work, I collapse into my bed and I do not hear the click of the lock that I have become accustomed to, I sit upright. After a moment of holding my breath, I slowly pull my covers back and ease myself out of bed. I cross to the door on silent feet. Grabbing the door knob, I turn it slowly and sure enough, the door swings open. Without a peep, I quickly pull the door shut and tiptoe back to my bed where I lay awake, eyes upon the door, for many hours.

SEVERAL DAYS PASS IN much the same manner. I do not see Lonan or Kai or anyone of the inner circle, and when I collapse every night into my bed, my door is left unlocked. I do not attempt to sneak out because anyone with any godsdamn sense, would’ve surely put a guard in the hallway. To make sure that I didn’t try to murder one of them in their sleep, or even merely slip out of keep. And thus, I’m in a holding pattern. It chafes at me; too much of my life I’ve been in a holding pattern.

And now, now that I am so close to my goal, I struggle to maintain my ruse. My annoyance and frustration build. Surely soon Lonan or Kai or even Lilac will come to speak to me. Hoping that I have some knowledge that would be useful to them. I struggle to bide my time. However I’ve learned patience over the years, forcefully. Or so I tell myself when I feel like I’m ready to climb out of my skin.

So when nearly two weeks into my kitchen time, Cook suggests that I deliver the morning meal to the Commander and his inner circle, I jump upon the chance. The normal guard who delivers their meals is out sick today.

I quickly place their plates upon the large tray and balance it using a shoulder and my hand before I slip out of the back entrance of the kitchen. It leads directly into the room where I first broke bread with Lonan.

As I cross the room, keeping the heavy tray laden with the meal balanced, the first thing I noticed is that Lonan is in a pale green shirt that seems to bring out the blood red of his eyes. His one tattooed hand rests upon the table, softly tapping. He’s pushed his chair back from the table and is lounging. His trousers are mostly hidden by the table, but the leather laces at the top are just visible and my mind immediately dives into places it absolutely should not go. I shake myself internally. I’m supposed to be making him fall in love with me.

As I get closer, Lonan looks up, recognizes me, and a look crosses his face: a grin like the sun breaking the horizon. And I find myself smiling back like a godsdamn fool. What in the worlds is wrong with me?

The next thing I notice is Kai glaring at me, glaring at me with a silent rage, the intensity of which I have done naught to earn. I mean, not that he knows of. I struggle against the smirk that tilts my lips as he continues to glower at me, oddly loving the idea that my very existence annoys the piss outta him.

I quickly turn away from him, and focus on Lonan. I lower the tray, balancing it using the table and one hand and place his plate in front of him. I keep my eyes down, but when he murmurs his thanks, I flick my eyes up to see his locked on my lips. I lick them in a discrete but visible manner and I can almost feel his desire.

Perfect. Think with your dick.

I slip around the table, handing out plates laden with eggs and potatoes and cinnamon-stewed apples as I listen in silently. Lonan and his circle seem to be speaking of something light. I hear some plans for a Mabon festival in the village; Cook and Lu have already told me about it.

When I get to the last person, I slowly put down their plate as I try to get a good look at this new Fae. The black robes mark them as an Ordained, a member of the Monkswick family from the Monastery Isles. I stifle my involuntary shudder. I hate Ordained.

The Monkswick family is an bizarre one: powerful, rich, composed only of adopted Fae and run by the Father and Mother, and all believe they are blessed by the Lord and Lady themselves. I truly believe they would have died off centuries ago if they had not had one of the Veil Stones upon their island, and thus, easy control of it. They are the fifth cornerstone of the ruling families of our realm.

Gaeba was the water Fae ruling family, now all dead, thanks to the old King, King Wells, Alder’s father. Larkstead, ruling at the base of the Quiet Mountains, keep the fire Fae in line. Guivre Shores, run by Narisa’s Clan–the oldest dragon family, is home to most of the shifters of the realm now, originally home to the air Fae. And finally, RedWater Castle, ruled by the usurper High King Alder Stonesthrow, head of the earth Fae.

This Ordained has long, straight, black hair. As I step back, I notice their eyes are solid black. A bat shifter. So an air Fae . Around their neck is a necklace made of smooth white stones that gleam as if every color of the rainbow is trapped inside them. An Ordained and a soothsayer. Great .

I lift my now empty tray and walk as slowly as I can without attracting notice out of the room to the kitchen. And I swear I can feel Lonan’s eyes on my back the entire time.

THAT AFTERNOON, I’M making a marinade for the meat for tomorrow’s dinner when the door opens. I glance up, expecting Lu, or perhaps that one young guard who’s been hanging around me like a dog looking for scraps— not happening, kiddo —or the Steward, Nell.

Instead, I freeze, knife in the air above the wild citrus I’m slicing.

It’s Lonan.

He grins at me, looking down, his face taking on a boyish edge and I can’t stop my returning smile. I quickly drop my gaze as well as the spell breaks.

Cook returns from the cellar at that exact moment and her keen gaze flicks between us.

“Hmm,” she says, placing the glass jar on the counter, “I think I need two of these.” And she turns around and heads back out.

Fuck . Stop that, looking at him with sheep’s eyes. You’re here to seduce him, not fall in love with him. He’s meant to love you, spoil you, become utterly besotted.

He steps forward, his hand going to settle on this sword hilt, his fingers opening and closing repeatedly. “Allie. How are you settling into the kitchen?”

I blink several times and look down, starting to cut the citrus again. As I slide the knife underneath the slices to lift and transfer them into the bowl, I answer without meeting his gaze. “Fine, my lord.” I turn and grab a handful of random herbs. I have no clue if this is what Cook wants in this but I’m not going to stand idle. I place them on the cutting board and continue, “‘Tis kind of you to check on me.

His voice is hoarse, “It’s not kindness that motivates me, Allie.”

Yes. Here is it.

“Oh? Then what, Sire?” I pause chopping to flutter my lashes at him, eyes wide and innocent.

He steps forward, though the wide counter is between us.

“I ask this of you as a man, not a commander...” He pauses here, so I lean forward and feel the neck of my gown dip.

His eyes go to my breasts, as intended. Gods above, even powerful men are morons.

Lonan continues, “I would have you. As a man. I mean...” He shakes his head, obviously frustrated. Love to see it , I crow internally.

“I’m just so fucking drawn to you, Allie. I don’t understand it.” He slowly raises his hand and I don’t allow myself to flinch. His knuckles slowly trace my cheek and the electricity I feel is shocking. Fire Fae mayhap?

“Have dinner with me? In my rooms?” He asks, his voice revealing his nervousness.

I pause, trying not to nuzzle into his hand on my face. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“My lord,” I gasp, breathlessly, “I could never. It would be... improper.” I drop my eyes firmly upon my hands and wait.

His hand lowers and he leans in. “Why improper, Allie? Do you not trust me?” His maroon eyes bore into me, I can feel them as if they were a physical touch.

I mutter, “I trust no one, Sire.”

At that exact moment, the door bursts open, slamming against the wall. Both Lonan and I jump.

It’s General Kai. And he’s surly.

“ Commander .”