Page 35 of The Poison of the Earth
She looks to the stove. “Ach, did ye really use me good cast iron and leave it set dirty?”
Lonan ducks his head, “Sorry, Cook.”
She makes a disgruntled noise and takes the now empty plate from in front of us. “Go on, now, both you young folks. Breakfast isn’t for hours.”
“Of course, Cook.” Lonan smiles and hugs her. “Thank you.”
Lonan takes my arm and turns us gently for the other door. I look over my shoulder and Cook makes a lewd gesture at me, grinning. I scowl and snort and turn back to Lonan.
We head to the main hall. It’s dim and oddly magical. The fire is low but throws flickering light onto the armchairs near it and out beyond. The large circular table is nearly-hidden in the dim, dancing shadows.
Lonan pulls one of the heavy armchairs closer to the fire and beckons me to sit. I do with as much dignity as I can muster. I am not sure how committed he is to this idea of me as Queen and him as King Consort, so while I am pleased, I’m still treading delicately. I need to see how committed he is to this idea. How committed he is tome.
“Shall we have your rooms moved?” He asks with a smile.
“Oh, yes,” I start, excited.
“You can share mine,” Lonan purrs.
“Absolutely not,” I reply flatly.
He blinks and I continue, “It’s unseemly. Dangerous. And I’ll need my own space.”
“How, dangerous, Ollie?” He asks, confused.
“The rebel leader has a new lover? One he cares about enough to move her into his keep?” I arch an eyebrow.
He nods slowly, “I see your point. But if that is true, isn’t the safest place for you at my side?” And he grins winningly. I smile back. I can’t help it.
I understand now, my inane tenderness for him that’s been there since we met. A spirit mate. The person you are destined for. Some say your souls radiate the exact same color. Spirit mates are not unheard of, but not common.
I am normally, and very reasonably in my opinion, slow to warm to someone. This spirit mate thing is odd to me, I feel inclined and caring towards him as though he’d been my lover for years.
I’m sure, in time, I’ll develop actual feelings for him. He however, seems to have fallen head over heels. And I still will play him as a cheap fiddle if it will further my aims, mate or no. I learned, first the hard way while in chains, and then later, on my own terms, how to handle a man.
I try a different tact. “I would prefer my own space, please, Lonan. It is... important to me.”
He nods, reaching for my hand. “Of course, sweetheart.”
Well, that was surprisingly easy.
He smiles gently, “I like this bolder version of you.”
Ohh, stones, he has no idea.
We sit in silence, hands touching, as we stare at the fire in companionable silence. My mind wanders on how perhaps this would be nice, pleasant even. Foreign, but pleasant.
My eyes must close, between the warmth of the fire and the reassuring pressure of Lonan’s hand.
I jolt awake as the door opens behind us. My eyes fall to Lonan, who is looking at me softly, and we turn. In spills Tazi, Caspian, Lilac and Kai. Lonan stands, tenderly pulling on my hand to get me to follow.
“Inner Circle,” he starts, in a hard, formal voice, “I’d like you to meet Oleander. My consort.”
The look of shock that passes over their faces would be funny in a different situation. Lilac opens her mouth but at that moment, that wretched bat slips into the room. I glare at him.
“Ah, Ordained Achlys,” Lonan welcomes smoothly, “This is my consort, Oleander.”
By the laws of the Lord and Lady, a soothsayer must not reveal aught that they have learned during a seeing to anyone. Of course, we all know they run home and tell Mother and Father, but that’s not an issue at the moment.
