Page 40 of The Poison of the Earth
“Good morning, Lonan. Did you sleep well?”
Caspian snorts.Oh, he’s a problem and I love him already.
“Yes, sweetheart, thank you for asking,” Lonan says, taking my hand and turning his dark eyes upon me. “And you?”
“I was utterly worn out.” I smile innocently as Cook brings in food.
Tazi and Lilac come in. Tazi grins; Lilac glares.
Tazi digs into her sweetcakes like a starving mouse.
Cas speaks, “The mayor is well settled. I may bring back some seeds from Centerhedge for her.”
Tazi swallows and takes a drink of juice, “The Daven sisters, the older two anyway, are in. I’ll be sending them to our Lieutenant in Centerhedge today.”
Lonan nods. “Good, on both fronts. You two can leave today then?”
Tazi and Caspian nod.
At that moment, the door swings open and that bat comes in. My eyes narrow. I don’t like them. I didn’t like them before I was held down and they licked my face, and I certainly don’t like them after.
Achlys slips into their seat and takes a drink of water.
They nod to me, “Consort.”
Rage dances under my skin and I struggle with my magic.Dammit, I cannot lack control like this.
The rest of breakfast is a blur as I fight my magic. I need to escape the keep, get far from everyone, and let it free soon so that I might pull it back under firm control. When Lu comes to clear our plates, Lonan stands, and I do as well, following him. I am concerned about when my body decided to trust him so, but at this point, it’s keeping me from acting like an idiot so I suppose it’s alright.
As everyone else files out, Lonan and I stand still. My focus is upon the table. Lonan’s firm hand is under my elbow.
“Sweetheart, are you alright?” His voice is concerned.
I nod, “Just need a rest,” I murmur.
“Come, then, Ollie, cuddle and relax with me, while your rooms are moved nearer to mine,” and his lips press against myhair. It is such a perfect parody of love that I can almost believe it.
I let him lead me as I lean into him, struggling to put my feet in front of the other as I battle my magic.
When we get to his stairs, he simply scoops me up and takes them quickly.
“You looked about to pass out, Ollie,” he says quietly.
I blink hard, trying to think. I shake my head. Lonan carries me to the couch and sets me on it, sitting next to me. His tattooed hand picks up mine and cradles it. “Oleander, mate, what is wrong?”
I stand, wobbly, “I need to get outside. Can we go outside? I’m...” I trail off, both tired and tense from holding my magic.
“Of course, little Queen,” he gently answers, scooping me up again. I want to protest it, but I’m afraid two flights of stairs will be too much for me, so I merely lean into his chest and breathe in his scent. It’s... salt and musk.Fuck, it’s amazing.I press my face to him harder.
And then we are outside. I look up, realizing it wasn’t the main doors we went out. Lonan doesn’t put me down, but strides down the path towards the forest. I breathe deeply, the tightness in my chest easing. The path gets smaller and windier, and Lonan still holds me. I shift.
“Put me down, I can walk,” I murmur.
He lowers my feet but holds my upper body to be sure I’m steady.
“Can you go a bit further? There is a nice clearing ahead.”
I nod, bending down to pull off my flat shoes. I spread my toes, enjoying the feel of the early-fallen leaves and drying moss beneath them.
