Page 16 of Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras
“Yes,” I say and kiss him. We’ve been acting like friendly roommates the last week. I enjoy his company, he’s wicked funny and bucks expectations, and dammit, I want him. His tongue dances with mine. He’s a great kisser, no big surprise there. It only gets better when his hands bury in my hair. Our kiss deepens and I rub against him. His hands fist in my hair and pull my head back. I gasp and his tongue laps at my neck and I squirm.
He takes a deep breath, and shakes himself. “No, Adi,” he says softly, and quickly lifts me off his lap. “Excuse me,” he murmurs and leaves our rooms.
Bryn
I WALK AIMLESSLY, STILLfeeling the heat of her sex on me. Stupid. I am so stupid. Why did I let her meet with them? Why did I not predict that her recklessness would get her into trouble? I should have prepped her more. I should haveprotectedher. I should have.... I don’t know anymore. Figuredout how to leave the EA without them offing me and spend the rest of my days happily serving her in and out of bed? It’s seeming like a much better idea than watching Jack throw her on her knees, hold her little body down, and bury himself into her. Why would she agree to this shit? My heart squeezes.
My time with her is only making me fall harder. I cannot fathom how I got where I am. My train of thought shifts. I wish she had just been needy. I could have allowed myself to pleasure her then. But...ugh, so stupid. I need to return to our rooms, we need to talk, but I cannot allow it right now. I don’t know how I had the strength to turn her down, but I doubt I could do it again. I head for a hall mirror, needing to get the fuck out of here. Pressing my bare palm to it, I think of pine needles and beeswax candles, then step through.
I KNOCK SOFTLY ON THEbedroom door. The doors now glow blue and unlock for me, but I don’t want to disturb her. My mind is somewhat calmer. I had been advocating with the heads of the EA to approach a Court member for years, but I had always been shot down. But when I came to them with news of a royal nymph female who was shunned by her family, friendly with servants, spent time off her FEC,andwas a Priestess of Aine, they jumped. I was ecstatic, but now I’m questioning everything. A couple hours of outdoor solitude were what I needed. I think I know what I need to do now.
“Why are you knocking?” Adi’s voice from the other side of the door is raised. She must be in the library.
It makes me smile sadly. Temperamental little thing. I walk in and head to the library. I pour two whiskeys and set one down next to her. I wander the stacks, looking for something particular. “I wasn’t expecting you to ask for entrance to the EA,” I say, as blandly as possible.
She tosses back her whiskey. “It seemed like the thing to do at the time.”
I try not to sound nervous. “You have acted as High Priestess before?”
“Of course I have. I could never have gained my robes if I hadn’t.”
I hesitate. That’s good, I suppose. Suddenly, I’m distracted by a thought: I haven’t seen her in her robes. She must be absolutely fucking breathtaking in them.
I find a book that looks promising. “Well, this will be old hat for you then.”
“Yes.”
Somehow she makes that one word sarcastic. I refill our whiskeys and sit next to her in what have become our usual evening positions.
“You’ve begged off tonight’s dance?” I sneak a glance at her profile. She has inherited her human-selkie mother’s rounder face and pert little nose.
“I would have been questioned about your absence. Seemed the most prudent. However, Grandmother has informed me that wewillbe attending the Medieval-themed evening coming up.”
“Sounds delightful,” I say derisively. She attempts to cover her laugh with a cough. Maybe we can find our way back to where we were before. Tonight, I will pretend we’re fine. And, when her soft body finds mine in her sleep, I will roll her curls around my fingers like fine rings and pretend she’s really mine.
Adelaide
“C’MON, BRONWEN, YOUhave to help me here.”
My rather fractious seamstress stares me down. “Listen, Princess, just because you bought me does not mean—”
“Woah now. I did not buy you. I paid off your servitude. That is not the same thing.”
She tosses her deep brown hair over her shoulder. “Well, you seem to think it is if you show up the morning of a ball and demand a dress.”
She takes no shit. I like her. She’s obviously part nymph, though I don’t know with what. Human and something else.
I smile at her. “Now, you see, you owe me nothing for that. However, for buying you a shop in Wilsden? Well, I do expect some priority for that.”
Her eyes narrow and flick to Bryn, who stands silent behind me. “I suppose he needs something to match,” she grumbles. He grins and steps forward, taking her hand boldly and turning up his charm. “My dear, if you have the time, that would be most lovely. However, if you are swamped, I’m sure milady and I can find something in our closets.” She blushes prettily and he grins wider.
“I can’t very well have my royal patron looking like a rubbish bin wrapped in a potato sack,” she grumbles. “What kind of signal would that send? Who would want to patronize my shop if I can’t keep her dressed properly?” She looks at me. “Come back in two hours. I have something I can finish that might make you look suitable.”
I hide my smile and take Bryn’s proffered arm. He’s always the vision of solicitousness, of court protocol, in public. In our rooms, he’s sarcastic and relaxed and always has a book in his hand. He’s been kind with the servants, and Maudey loves him. He’s something else, not at all what I expected from a court male. I still sometimes feel like prey in his eyes, although he never takes liberties or tries to put moves on me.
It’s another beautiful autumn day, and I’m feeling oddly light. I’ll High Priestess whomever the fuck the joint-eater wants, then once I’m in the inner circle, I’ll—with Bryn’s help,of course—be able to influence things towards a less violent revolution. And if I take the throne, I can cause real, solid change here.
Bryn leads us on a circuit of the city, speaking of our upcoming travel to the temple for the Mabon ceremonies. I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll hear from that foul gecko before then. We walk among busy townspeople and trees with yellowing leaves. Older kids run around playing. My sweater is the perfect warmth for the weather. I love fall, and it’s always spectacular in Maine. But my mood darkens as I sneak a glance at Bryn. He’s so beautiful with his chiseled features and distant expression that I know he uses to keep himself safe. My heart hurts. He hates me. Or, at the very least, he thinks I’m incompetent and useless, no matter how kindly he treats me to follow protocol.
