Page 105 of The Poison of the Earth
“But right now, we need that flight of griffons.”
OLLIE TRAILS ME DOWNthe hallway. Finnick is surely there as well.
“We need to counter,” I say to Kai, hushed, as I lengthen my strides.
“The problem is that he’s gotten dug in. They’ve surely created fortifications and have found spies inside—”
“Enough!” Ollie cries, loudly.
Kai and I spin. She’s standing with her fists at her waist.
“I’m not sure if you’re not explaining things because we’re not exactly in friendly territory, or because Finn is here, or because you’re still mad at me, butknock it the fuck off.”
I glare at her and Kai steps back, grabs her upper arm and takes off at a quick pace.
Finnicktries, I’ll give him that.
“Stop! Unhand her. That is my betrothed!” He stomps along behind us but we quickly reach my rooms. I open the door and Kai drags Ollie in. Korben follows and I place my hand on a protesting Finnick’s back. “In ya go, m’ lord,” I smirk.
I slam the door behind. I stride around Finnick as he rushes to Ollie. I manage not to snort but Kai doesn’t. I start throwing things in my pack.
Kai grumbles, “Does he know?”
Ollie shakes her head and I see tears standing in her eyes. “I was going to tell him today. I didn’t think... we’d have a godsdamn emergency during breakfast.”
“Tell me what, beloved?” He asks as he takes her hand.
Kai snorts again, but I toss his pack at him. He catches it as it hits his chest and turns away.
“Go,” I growl at Korben, “Pack up, pack for Ollie too.”
He nods and trots out.
Kai and I are striding around, shoving our things at random into our leather bags. I know he’s thinking strategy as much as I am, but nothing can be done until we’re there.
Ollie starts, “Finn, I was going to tell you. You see...” She trails off and I catch a glimpse of them, standing still and calm in the center of our chaos, holding both hands together. “You see... I am spirit bound to both Lonan and Kai. They are my mates. They will... remain as such. But I still very much wish to... get to know you. To be your wife.”
I hear Kai make a pained sound at that and I cough loudly, trying to cover it. But it stabs deep into my heart too.
Finnick flounders. “I... I...” his head shakes. “I don’t know what to say, Ollie.”
“Say you’ll get your shit packed,” I grumble. “And quickly. Meet us at the stables in twenty minutes.”
His head turns towards me, a low-simmering anger in his gaze. He turns back to Ollie and pulls her in gently for a chaste kiss.
“Twenty minutes, beloved,” he says softly and spins and strides out.
I have lots of things to say to my little mate but I cannot at this moment. She hurries over to the closet and grabs the gowns of hers that are there and heads to the door.
Korben tugs it open and she stops as he tosses her her pack. She puts it down and rolls the dresses into a ball, shoving them in.
“Tell me,” her command clear, as she strips her skirt off to pull on her underlayer and breeches. She leaves her corset on and pulls her sweater over it.
“Alder attacked Squall’s End over night.”
“Fuck. Are Cas and Tazi alright?” Ollie asks, looking up, face pale.
“Yes, they sent the message. They need back-up. They sent a message to our contingent at Centerhedge as well.”
