Page 30 of Vicious Fates and Vast Futures
Chapter Six
Adelaide
The next morning, I wake to a loud knock and both Bryn and Nairna running, naked, to the door. I sigh, watching, as Ossy sleepily wraps his arms around me. I think my bed has gotten larger of its own accord. All of us usually end up in my bed before dawn now, and I couldn’t be happier. I snuggle into Ossy’s chest. His breath stirs my hair and I smile into him as I take in his scent. My big softie. Thank Goddess for him, keeping the rest of us assholes in line. Just as my eyes start to drift closed again, Bryn and En return.
I peer over Ossy’s arm to see that they both look displeased. I groan and sit up, stretching. “Who was it?”
“The queen has requested your presence,” Bryn answers.
I wonder why he looks so bothered by that just as En speaks up. “And mine.”
Oh. That would be why. This could range from no big deal to torture chamber. Shit.
Bryn looks to En. “What did she want last night, when she cornered you?”
Nairna is getting dressed, buckling on her sword belt. “She was asking about the Dark Court.”
“Not good,” Ossy grumbles, his face pressed to my hip and his arms around my waist. “Lay back and spread for me, baby.Let me wake you properly.” His mouth on my skin gives me a good idea of exactly what he intends and I grin.
Unfortunately, the wet-blanket look Bryn shoots me tells me it’s a no. I sigh and tug his braid gently. “I’ll take a rain check, love. I think I need to go see dear ol’ Gram right now,” I say as I start to untangle myself.
“Won’t take me long to get you there, baby,” he murmurs, pulling me back down as I squeal. I dig my fingers into his ribs and he jerks away with his adorable infectious giggle as he tries to escape my tickling.
I quickly jump out of bed and run to the bathroom. As I give myself a quick wipedown, I think, yet again, about how much I need to get us out of this clusterfuck, about how much I want this, my loves, to be my daily reality at my home in Boston. I’m utterly determined to do it. Anyone in my way will have to die if they are a threat to me or my mates. End of discussion.
I exit the bathroom and grab a long flowy white dress. Won’t hurt to remind Seren that I’m the Royal Court Priestess. My Priestess tattoo is showing as well. I had bowed to En’s begging to leave it un-glamoured; such a small thing to make one of my mates happy.
“What the fuck?” I blurt upon entering my bedroom and seeing Bryn back in bed with Ossy.
“My heart,Idon’t have anywhere I need to be.” He smirks, six-pack flexing as he raises his arms to tuck them behind his head.
I sputter indignantly, but before I can grumble more, En grabs my arm and leads me out of our rooms.
“GRANDMOTHER,” I GREETpolitely as she gestures for En and me to sit at the reception table with her.
As we sit, Seren pours tea, passing us the dainty floral plates and cups primly. I can feel En’s nervousness up our bond. I try to reassure her with my energy.
“What can we do for you?” I ask, still in my politest voice.
“Dofor me?” Seren snorts. “Why can’t I just have tea with my granddaughter and one of her Goddess-touched mates?”
My eyebrows rise as I sip my tea. Answering “because you haven’t seemed to give much of a fuck if I lived or died for most of the last eight decades” is probably not going to win any points. I fish about for a new topic that won’t get me into trouble. En’s eyes are locked on her teacup.
“So...is Olwyn glad to be back?” I ask weakly. What the hell am I supposed to talk about with my murderous five-hundred-year-old grandmother whose main interest in me is my producing a baby? I can’t exactly ask if she’s seen the latest episode ofBridgerton.
Seren clears her throat. “I believe so. She was rather upset that I sent her and her mother off for some time to cool down.”
Cool down. That means not murder me or Eira. Yeah, makes sense.
“Shortbread?” Seren asks.
I feel like I’m in an alternate dimension as I watch my royal grandmother put cookies on our plates. This seriously cannot be happening.
I bite my lip, thinking. Fuck it. I might as well lean in on this crazy bullshit.
