Page 175 of Kingdoms of Night

She wore the shift dress from earlier, the intricate tattoos along her arms and shoulders and collarbone on full display, her hair natural and loose about her shoulders. Striking as she had looked in all her regalia when they’d met, stunning as she’d been in all the finery in the ballroom, she’d never looked more beautiful than she did now.

“Really? That surprises you?” She stepped closer, her eyes glinting with mischief before she made a dramatic gesture to the right. “Well, I can’t imagine what you would say to this.”

He paused, surprised to see that she had turned the top of the clock tower into a picnic. A bright pink blanket lay on the ground with berries on a large dock leaf, the teapot with a lilac design brandished on its sides, two brown mugs, almond croissants and vanilla caramels on a single plate. “How did you—”

“Apparently being one of Puck’s matches means he is incredibly insistent on making sure said couple gets whatever they need to make it work. At least within reason. And not without some measure of torment from him.” She picked up one of the almond croissants. “He also seems to know things about us. I didn’t realize until that book that almond croissants are one of your favorites. Next to these, of course.” She indicated the caramels next.

He laughed. So that was what the book had contained? Favorites? Little-known facts? “Which of these are your favorites? Did you not bring them?”

“Next time. We have enough sweets and breads.” She knelt on the blanket and then proceeded to pour out the tea. Fragrant steam rose, twining about her face and catching in her hair like a fine perfume.

“If it’s all right to say, you’re my favorite tea maker. I hate tea less when you make it.”

Her laugh evened out as he sat heavily beside her. She poured the tea into a squat brown mug. Perfect for daily use. No need to fear breaking it.

She reached into her bag and pulled out Anouk’s scarf, then held it out to him warmly.

He blew out a soft breath, reaching for it. “You remembered this? Thank you, ma vigne.”

“It seemed important.”

He nodded, a gentle feeling spreading in his chest. He held it close, inhaling the familiar scents of his family, and although he wasn’t a pious man anymore, he still found himself praying Annette and Anouk were safe, happy. “It’s my sister’s, but Annette loves to play with it. It’s… the only thing of hers I have.”

When Idalno’s gaze dropped with a sad smile, he took her hand. Did she have anything of Lalko’s?

“A flower,” she said softly. “The day I came here, she’d placed a flower in my hair.”

“They’re safe, ma vigne.” He smiled, picturing a little girl like Annette putting a flower in Idalno’s lovely hair, probably giddy with joy to add an ornament to already breathtaking beauty.

“So… how was the first of your Wild Hunts? Do you like it?” She gave him a smile that assured him the question was sincere, perhaps even a little playful. If she had concerns about Titania, they weren’t present. It sounded as sweet and open as if she were asking him about a day in the fields. As if he might tell her about the rye or whether there were signs of black cutworms making their way through the crops.

“It was… it was actually good. Better than I expected.” He took ahold of her hand and waited until she looked at him. “But you should know, I will never accept any other claim Titania has on me. I will never be her lover—”

She pressed her finger to his lips. “I believe you. You were willing to deny your feelings for me because you believed it was dangerous for you to be in a relationship.”

“It’s hard for me to believe you were only afraid of me because you thought I might break your heart and not kill you. Werewolves aren’t known for being good. People hate werewolves where I’m from.”

Her smile grew contemplative as she studied him, her dark eyes shining in the dimming light. “Your heart is kind and true, Feron. And I have seen that play out now many times over. Besides, wolves are beautiful. And wonderful. Noble, even. Hawthorn and Buttercup would be inclined to agree, I think.”

“Still, I will say it as often as you need me to. And the offer I made you the other night, I will never make to another.”

“I know. And not that anyone has expressed any interest, but I won’t accept anyone else in my bed either. That is for you and you alone.”

“Do we have to have a bed to be intimate?” He managed a roguish waggle of his eyebrows even though his body ached so much he secretly hoped she would not want to have sex immediately. The tea was helping. Perhaps in another hour.

She chuckled, smirking. “We can do it wherever and whenever you want. We could do it here if you like. But I think maybe it’d be better if you rested. I have to be back before midnight. Apparently I have a curfew.”

“A curfew?”

“I’ve never had a curfew before.” A light wisping laugh followed. “My own parents, well, they just knew I’d learn that I was too tired to do what I needed to do if I didn’t go to bed soon enough. Did your Hunt find what it was looking for?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure I really understand it. But it was good to ride and hunt.” He moved the mug of tea to his left hand and spread his arm wide. She slipped into the space he offered and curled up beside him, her own mug clasped in both hands. “And what is it like being the king’s protege?”

She chuckled. “I don’t know. He approved my coming here, and Puck made sure it happened. Gave me lots of rules, though. Some a little odd. Remember the lights we saw in the meadow last night? Apparently if we had decided to follow them, that would have been bad. You’ll have to be careful as well. Are you able to rest the whole night?”

“My watch is at midnight.” He sighed and then kissed the curve of her shoulder. “Then we go on patrol at the end of that.”

“That doesn’t give us much time. Do you need to rest?”

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