Page 22 of Made

“The social aspects.” She took a sip of wine. “Yes. I see that. Communal sustenance. Did we talk about dessert?”

“Tangerine slices?” he teased.

She looked down at the table. The tangerine slices did appear to be ripe to perfection. She grabbed one, popped it into her mouth, and enjoyed the tingle when citrus invaded her nose.

“Really good. But a meal like this begs for a chocolate finish.”

A crystal dish appeared with mocha almond fudge ice cream topped with chocolate syrup.

“Chocolate finish for the lady,” he said.

“How could anyone in their right mind choose tangerines over this?” she teased.

“I’m trying to avoid scurvy.”

“Very funny. But seriously, you get the royal prize for dinner.”

“Does it come with brass horns, regalia, and a medal with a wide ribbon?”

She paused and looked serious. “It could. Do you want those things?”

He laughed, having never expected her to think he was serious. “Not at all. The best reward is seeing you so thoroughly enjoy this food.”

“You’re very easy to please.”

“Hmmm. Well, I’m certain that’s the first time I’ve heard that. I didn’t know I could be easy to please. Are you easy to please?”

She shook her head, but said, “You please me.”

“I hope to do more of that.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Seeing your rank rise among the fae queens.”

“Still maintaining that’s doable?”

“Since I first laid eyes on you, I’ve spent every possible moment at your court hoping to get a glimpse of you, if not an audience. Until recently, I haven’t seen much of you, but I have learned a lot about fae society simply by hanging around and eavesdropping. Your people love to gossip.”

Ilmr laughed. “They do. So you’ve been spying? I need to be more careful about who’s ‘hanging around’.”

“Maybe. I’ve learned many, many things. Most unhelpful. Some useful.”

Ilmr looked intrigued. “I can’t wait to hear this. Tell me!”

“Well, speaking of gossip, Maeve’s older son is now king.”

“I know that.”

“She also has a younger son named Niall who’s character is questionable. Even for a spoiled prince.”

“The one sentenced to exile because of the thing with the kelpie?”

Ilmr had been in court that day and had been paying attention, as had most fae nobles since it was the new magistrate’s first day presiding. All were eager to see if she’d have the gall to discipline a prince.

“Yes. His time in Scotia has come to an end, but the boy is unchanged.”

“Uh-huh.” Ilmr failed to see what this might have to do with her and was, therefore, somewhat less interested in the topic.

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