Page 166 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
Finally, he presented the finished project to the blacksmith: two perfect ear cuffs in a fine, delicate design, metal turned to lace.
The blacksmith whistled approvingly, modelling one in front of his mirror. “These are dainty little things! Some mortal fashion?”
“Fae,” Caer admitted. “I hope that’s all right.”
“Fashion is fashion, lad. Spent a lot of time in the fae realm?”
“Only a few days. I just saw something like these once and wanted to copy them.”
“Copied from memory after only seeing them once? Impressive. If my apprentice isn’t back by the end of the week, the job’s yours.”
Caer’s chest deflated. “You’ve already got an apprentice?”
“Aye, but he hasn’t shown up for work for a few days.”
“You aren’t worried about him?”
“He’s been talking for ages about taking one of these blades and going to the Deep to become a monster hunter. Looks like he finally did it.”
Caer smiled. “I’ll be back at the end of the week.”
“Aye, you do that. Might even take you on if Juno comes back! You’ve a good eye for design.”
Caer thanked him profusely. The blacksmith returned his ear cuffs, and Caer headed back to the palace with them safely stowed in his pocket. He found Aislinn back in her room, reading a book and wearing nothing but a loose shirt that left her creamy thighs on full, wonderful display.
The grin she flashed at him when she looked up made his knees weak and other parts of him turn much, much harder indeed.
She abandoned her book and skipped towards him, throwing her hands around his neck and drawing his lips to hers. The kiss was light by Aislinn’s standards, yet still hard to pull away from.
“Have fun in town?” she asked.
“Productive. I think I found a blacksmith to apprentice myself to, and look—” He held up the ear cuffs. “For you.”
Aislinn’s smile turned soft as she reached out to take them, turning to her mirror to admire them as Caer slid his arms around her middle.
“They’re beautiful, Caer.”
“So are you.”
“I used to think you didn’t like my ears.”
“I’ve yet to find a part of you that I dislike, but ask me after a few years. Maybe I’ll have come up with something by then.”
Aislinn turned to kiss him, and, still grinning, they fell back towards the bed.
For the next few days, they existed inside this wonderful, perfect bubble, shook by nothing, disturbed by no one. They barely left Aislinn’s room, which was becoming so much likehis,Caer wondered if he’d be permitted to remain in it after she left.
But he didn’t want to think about that.
“I’ll ask Venus at the ball,” Aislinn said. “Maybe I should speak to Minerva, first. I’m sure she’d be happy to help us.” She caught his face in her hands, as if she could sense his thoughts. “I’m not going anywhere yet, Caer. I promise.”
He supposed he should be glad for that promise, but although she couldn’t break it, he knew someone else could force her too.
Venus could still say no.
Happily, the apprentice didn’t return, which secured Caer the position with the blacksmith. He’d start the day after the ball. Caer was in no mood to leave Aislinn’s side, but he liked the idea of returning to the forge. Aislinn, too, was anxious for battle. They found themselves in the castle armoury at one point, permitted to spar as long as they were chaperoned. Fighting with Aislinn turned out to be such fun that they tumbled back into her chamber having worked up quite the sweat, and plunged themselves into the bathtub together.
“This can’t end,” Caer whispered into her neck, “I won’t let it.”
