Page 270 of Kingdoms of Night

“You’ll have to excuse my sister, Lady Enid. We all know Sir Geraint is a knight of the highest honor and chivalry. He’s a really good man.”

“I’m not a lady.” Enid didn’t want to pull rank and remind them she was royalty. She’d given up that life, and she was determined to make one here. So she might as well set about making allies and not enemies. “He took possession of my flower, and that is how we came to be wed.”

The sisters gaped at her. Their mouths went slack, though Gwin raised a hand to cover hers.

“Possession?” asked Morgan.

“Yes,” answered Enid.

“Of your… flower.” Morgan’s gaze dipped below the table to Enid’s torso.

“He still has it tucked away on his person,” said Enid.

Again, the sisters could only gape. They opened their mouths and then closed them like fishes hoping for food. Enid wasn’t sure what she’d said that caused such a reaction. Was it improper to talk about one’s flower in polite company in the human world? From what she understood of the mechanics of a human woman, they carried their flowers inside their bodies.

“She means her reproductive organ, girls,” said the older woman at the stove.

The elder human had introduced herself as Igraine. Enid had liked her energy, as well as her scent. Igraine smelled of warm spices, which she dashed into the various pots and pans on the cooking stove. It wasn’t often that Enid had cooked food. Each time she did, she enjoyed the fire and herbs incorporated into the dishes. Igraine was cooking up something delectable now.

“The fae folk females all are born with a seedling,” Igraine went on. “That seedling is pollinated by a male fae. It’s how they procreate.”

“Ohhhh,” said Morgan and Gwin, though they still looked baffled.

“You mean youliterallygave him your flower—or your seedling,” said Morgan. “Gives a whole new meaning to virginity.”

“Oh, I’m not a virgin,” said Enid. “Or perhaps I am. A virgin for him? We did not have sexual intercourse with each other on our wedding night. I have had intercourse before with others. That seemed to bother him.”

“What!” said Morgan. “Sexist male. Virginity is a construct anyway.”

“It doesn’t appear constructed very well. The concept is still confusing to me. Are you a virgin each time you take a new male to bed? Are only females virgins? The concept makes no sense, and I fail to see why it matters at all.”

“Right.” Morgan nodded her head.

“But you say you gave him your flower?” said Gwin. “So that means you want to be with him.”

“I didn’t give him my flower. He took possession of it. Whatever male possesses a fae’s flower is the only male she can pollinate with.”

“OMG, G is a pelt stealer,” said Morgan.

“A what?” asked Gwin.

“Like those selkies we used to read about. A fisherman would steal their pelts when they came onto dry land and transformed into beautiful women. The selkies couldn’t go back to the sea without their pelt. They stayed in the form of human women and were held captive by the man who held their magical skin.”

“Geraint wouldn’t do that,” said Gwin. “He’s one of the most chivalrous knights in all of Camelot. He’s a really good man.”

“Did G kidnap you?” asked Morgan, effectively ignoring her sister’s words.

“I want to be here,” said Enid. “I don’t wish to return to my father. I believe Sir Geraint will be good to me.”

“But you don’t love him?” asked Gwin.

“How could she when he’s stolen her pelt?” said Morgan. “I mean flower. Or seedling, or whatever. We’ll demand he give it back.”

Enid could only look between the two fierce women. Well, Morgan looked fierce. Gwin looked concerned.

“That’s enough out of the two of you.” Igraine made shooing motions, which brought Gwin and Morgan out of their chairs. “The poor dear has had enough of the welcome wagon. I’m sure you two have duties to get on with.”

Gwin gave Enid a warm smile as she walked to the door. Morgan gave Enid a conspiratorial wink as she followed her sister. Igraine sat a plate of warm greens in front of Enid. It smelled delicious.

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