Page 113 of The Poison of the Earth
“You care for her,” Kai mutters.
I nod. “I do. I barely know her, but her kindness is obvious. In another situation, I would want her and I to be friends. So I hope that means that this can grow into affection, love even, between us.”
My eyes snap up, suddenly realizing that I just told a cold-blooded killer that I wanted to fall in love with his mate.
Kai sees the look on my face and snorts.
“Kai, I would never try to take your and Lonan’s place in Oleander’s life, I didn’t—”
He cuts me off. “Love is a strange thing, Finn. It appears out of nowhere when you least expect it sometimes. Other times, it grows slowly, one small act at a time. Sometimes it makes you want to care and protect someone. Other times, it makes you want to rut them into the ground.” He shrugs, his shimmering green eyes locking upon mine. “You could no more take my place in Ollie’s heart than you could grow wings. But you see...” He looks away, into the fire. “The heart expands. The love you have isn’t finite.”
We stare into the fire for a long time. Ollie lets out the occasional little snort that makes tenderness rise up in me.
“You two can take the tent,” I say quietly, as I stand and stretch.
Kai snorts, “Bullshit. You think she’d let me hear the end of it if I made you sleep outside? We’ll all fit.” He shifts. “Go piss, then get in the tent. I’ll give her to you so I can stretch, set a few trip lines, before I come in.”
I do, shaking my head. I had been very wrong about Kai. Or, at least, partially wrong.
I climb into the small tent and Kai hands Ollie to me. As I clutch her to my chest, I kiss her head and ease us back onto the floor of the tent, pulling a blanket over us.
Kai joins us soon, laying down on the other side of Oleander. He lays a hand on her chest protectively. A soft warmth flows over me. I turn and nod to Kai just as my eyes drift close.
WHEN WE AWAKE THE NEXTmorning, snug as three little mice in the warm tent, Ollie is smiling, obviously pleased, but we can hear a distant ruckus. Fae, panicking. Without a word, Kai climbs out of the tent, holding the flap for us, and we head out of the woods. We come out of the little copse just as the flight of griffons land, archers upon their backs and many birds flocking to the ground, shifting to their Fae form. The enemy encampment is in disarray, many Fae bodies lying upon the ground, while others run around, trying to figure out what to do.
“Look!” Ollie calls, “Tawny and Lonan!”
The griffon Ollie named Tawny lands at the front of the rest of the flight and Lonan hops off, looking sure of himself.
“C’mon,” Kai says and we stride towards him. When we get close, Lonan opens his arms and Ollie runs to him. He quickly says something and releases her, turning to the camp.
“Who is in charge here?” He yells.
A slender but tall Fae woman steps forward. Her skin is a rich brown, of good soil, and her hair is a stark green. “I’m Captain Wrayax,” she says, “Ranking officer.”
Kai grins and I look at him.I wonder how many Fae he stabbed yesterday.
“Do you have the authority of King Alder to negotiate with us?” Lonan calls.
“Yes.” She steps forward, “But it’s not needed. We are decimated. We surrender. Whatever your terms; we agree, if you’ll not further harm my soldiers.”
Lonan nods, pleased. He gestures and Korben and a tall, black-haired Fae step forward. “Captain Korben and Captain Caspian will speak to details with you.”
Wrayax nods, her face somber.
Lonan turns to us and a small, blue-haired Fae trails him.
He grins at Kai. “Got a fire ring somewhere?”
Kai nods and the five of us head back into the woods to where we had spent the night. We walk through the dry underbrush slowly. Ollie is leaning against Lo. They’re whispering and when he kisses the top of her head, I smile. Kai drops back to walk next to them. I feel a pang in my chest as I watch them.I want a heart bond with Oleander, I realize. She’s already shown me how incredible and brave and silly she is.
When we get to the clearing, a fire starts on its own, surely Kai’s doing, and we all settle around it.
“Nice tent!” The blue haired Fae says once she finishes hugging Ollie tightly. She turns to me. “So you’re the prize cow, huh? I’m Tazi.”
I blink. “I’m the... what?”
Kai laughs and slaps me on the back. “The prize cow has skills. He kept Ollie safe in the encampment.”
