Page 24 of The Wrath of Ashes
Rath let loose a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He turned to take a bite of his food and hummed in agreement. “I like it.”
“Where do you get fresh vegetables this time of year?” Asha swallowed.
“Ramolia, mostly. They’ve warm enough weather and enough sun to grow some things. We also have very good canneries here, too, so some of it isn’t as fresh as it tastes.” Ghreid beamed as if it were his own doing.
“But agriculture is more of my forte. I’ve been working with some of our own farming communities farther south on a glass house to grow in the cooler months. Light is limited, but I believe lettuce can survive low light without being affected by etiolation…” Envi shrugged.
“I’ve dabbled myself in the old atrium and found that I could take the old rucksacks no longer good for anything and bodge-patch them and use them to grow massive amounts of root vegetables. Those plants like the cold. Greens tolerate the cold well, too, as long as the weather doesn’t freeze, but if you use enough trifle dirt, it keeps the roots warm and cozy. And you can grow them both together.” Asha took another bite of soup and Ghreid tossed Rath a rakish grin. They had better luck with him than Rath did.
“Interesting.” Envi rubbed his chin and laughed. “This is great! I’ll drag you along to some of my experiments.”
“If that’s alright with Rath.” Asha glanced over nervously, and Rath forced his best smile, hiding the bubbling jealousy.
“I think I can trust my brothers with your care.” Rath stared at his food for a moment and thought. “But I worry, and I am jealous and protective.” Rath thought it best to speak his mind rather than cause a rift of communication.
“Oh. Then I’ll politely pass…” Asha held up his hands apologetically, and Rath leaned his head back, the weight of the chains on them tiring.
“No. Do as you wish. Go with Envi. I wish for you to spend time with him, anyway. Learn your magic and the like. I’m merely stating my heart. If my face appears sour, it is of no consequence to you.” Rath chuckled.
“Well. What if you came with me?” Asha offered a polite smile, and Rath shook his head slowly.
“I have much to do. I would love to, but I won’t hold you back. I will place my trust in you as I do my brothers.” Rath returned to his stew and hummed with delight, which made Asha turn as well.
They ate in relative silence until the attendants came to remove the dishes.
“What’s for dessert?” Ghreid glanced around and frowned.
“Asha, probably,” Envi said, hiding a wry smirk that made Asha’s face go bright pink.
“Envi, come on now. Don’t tease. He’s shy.” Slath rolled his eyes and glanced at Asha. “Asha, pay them no mind. We all prefer the company of men.”
“All?” Asha gasped, surprised.
“It’s common. Females are the rarity.” Envi wiped his mouth on a napkin.
“Yes. There’s no shame in it, here. The purpose of a union is to love one another and create families. Both of which you are capable of.” Ghreid smiled. “But if you’ve more questions, feel free to ask any of us, but I’d rather not answer anything to do with sex with my brother, if you’d understand. Jeron might be a better font of information.”
Asha glanced away from Ghreid and swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“But to answer Master’s question… Dessert can be brought in, but there’s some warm spiced cordial and honeycake in your quarters, my prince.” An attendant bowed slightly in wait for more information.
“Enough for two, I should hope?” Jeron spoke up from his quiet spot down the table.
Asha shrank down, shoulders rounding.
“As you requested, sir.” The attendant, not seeing anyone ask, bowed his way from the room.
“Good. I’ll take Asha to his room to retire and change into some evening clothes for relaxing. I took the liberty of having Nina lay your evening clothing out.” Jeron glanced down, drawing Rath’s eye to the dripped ink.
Wordlessly, Jeron collected Asha. He chanced one glance over his shoulder, his sweet blue eyes drawing Rath in. “I’ll wait for you, and it was nice meeting you Envi, Ghreid, and Slath. Thank you for your kindness.”
Jeron ushered him out as Rath stood, giving them a head start as Envi whistled.
“Gorgeous. You are lucky, Brother. He’s beautiful.” Envi grinned.
Rath swallowed a growl. “I agree.”
“Go on. I don’t think your dick’s getting wet tonight, Brother, but he does seem to be interested in you, at least.” Slath waved his hand dismissively and Rath stalked off in disgust.
