Page 26 of Tasteful Anarchy and Tangled Auras
Adelaide
We awake to an angry sounding chime. Bryn jumps out of bed, gloriously naked. I enjoy the sight, though he hasn’t touched me since that night after the ‘70s party. It makes me sigh. I had hoped that maybe we’d broken through some wall or something and he’d want to continue enjoying each other’s bodies, but I was out of luck—though he’d drilled me mercilessly in the gym just about every day. Just not the kind of drilling I’m lusting for.
Bryn runs to the reception room as the chime continues. I hear him speaking, then softly arguing. He strides into the room, clearly frustrated. “Sciemle demands your presence. Now.”
I raise an eyebrow. Now? Demands? Alright, ya evil newt. Let’s see how this goes over. I stand up and don’t bother to grab a robe. I walk slowly to the mirror.
The joint-eater’s gaze is surprised. It then flicks to Bryn. What the...? My anger flares, and I sidle up to Bryn right as he hardens beautifully in response. A sullen noise emerges from the mirror.
“Sciemle.” My hand strokes Bryn’s arm. “To what do we owe the...interruption?”
“Priestess. I have determined the time of the ritual you owe me.”
“Yeeeesss?” I drawl as Bryn’s hand buries into my hair to tip my face towards him. His eyes dance as he leans down and licks my markings.
Her whiny voice draws my attention away. “You’ll be acting as High Priestess outside of Glario. The full moon before Mabon.”
My hand wraps around Bryn’s rigid shaft, and Sciemle lets out a strangled noise. “Fantastic. I’ll see you then. In person?” I add with a raise of my eyebrows.
She hesitates, though she might just be enjoying the show. But my Selkie instincts are telling me she expects me to ask who the rite will be for. I won’t be giving her that satisfaction since I canfeelshe won’t answer. Finally, she quietly says, “Yes, Priestess. I cannot wait to meet you.”
I nod to her, then to Bryn to order him to blank the mirror. As soon as it's a regular mirror again, I chortle with mirth. “Ohh, she was pissed!” I grab a shirt that’s over the back of a chair and toss it on. “Does she have a human-ish form? Have you two banged?”
Bryn’s face is shuttered. “No, she doesn’t,” he answers slowly. “And would it matter to you if we had?”
“I’m just trying to figure out her reaction. It was so weird.”
His face hardens again, and he nods before retreating to the bathroom.
Bryn
MY MATE SERIOUSLY HASa death wish, and I’m an idiot. She didn’t even bother to find out who the ritual is for! I cannot do anything to unfuck this situation without that knowledge. And, also, here I was, thinking she was touching me to show a united front to Sciemle, touching me because she felt my need, which is hitting absolutely insane levels these days.
Goddess take us both for fools. I haven’t felt such sustained rage in ages. I pride myself for being controlled, disciplined. But Adelaide has me off-kilter. I walk out of the shower and towel off.
I need to find my best informant. I throw on clothes and grab some gear and stride for the door just as Adi steps out of the library. My rage hits her, and her mouth opens in a gasp. Suddenly, I can smell her, rich and earthy and wet forme.
I clench my jaw and turn away. “Apologies, Priestess. I have to leave court for a few days. I will return. Try to stay out of trouble while I’m away. Please?” I add softly. And then I’m out the door and down the hall, but I swear I hear her whimper of need as though I was kneeling at her feet.
Chapter 11
