Page 43 of The Poison of the Earth
I smile, “I’m Ollie. I need a few things.”
“Well, then, up on the podium, let me measure you while you tell me about what you need.” She smiles.
I step up, and start to strip. Dana grabs her notepad and measuring tape. As she starts measuring, I say, “So... I need something fancier but would pack well. I need another corset that I could wear with many different dresses. I need a couple skirts and shirts, and a set of breeches.”
She chuckles, “Alright. That’s a varied order, but I can make it happen.”
We chat a bit and when she’s done measuring, she pulls out some fabric samples.
“Mostly saturated colors?” She asks, holding a goldenrod scrap near my face.
“Yes, I usually stick to jewel tones.”
She nods, “It works well with your skin and hair. The occasional pastel, but not often, with that striking hair of yours.”
I step down from the platform. “I don’t have coins on hand but I’m sure I have an expense account with the keep.”
A smirk crosses Dana’s face. “I’m quite sure.”
My eyes take in the dim room as Dana turns and starts to light candles.
“Shit. I bet I missed dinner,” I mutter.
“The Fiddle has a house special,” Dana suggests, smiling.
I grin back at her. “That sounds delightful,” I respond.
I STOP BY A FEW SHOPSon my way to the Fiddle. And after a friendly dinner chatting with Alfie at the Fiddle, wherein several Fae tried to hit on me—which I soundly ignored, of course—I manage my way back to the keep.
When I slide into my rooms, the sun is just disappearing behind the trees that I can see out my big windows. I smile, putting my packages on the desk where my journal, pens and books now sit. A bookshelf made to look like it was part of a living tree is attached to the wall. I love it. I wonder if Lonan had it added for me. I pick up my stack of books and arrange them on it. I pet my rosebush and move her to a better location.
I pull my dress off, leaving me in just my black underwear and bra, as I head to the bathroom. I stop and head back to the desk, digging out a large amethyst crystal from my purchasestoday. I’ll put it in the bathtub, I could use the cleansing energy. I’m looking forward to trying some of the oils and salts I saw in the bathroom earlier.I need to thank Lonan for being so thoughtful and thorough in having my rooms prepared.
I push open the bathroom door as I consider how perhaps having him as a mate might not be so bad. I turn to fill the tub and something drops over my neck. A body is at my back and the thing is pulled tight before I can even draw a breath.
Oh fuck, I’m being choked, I realize, rather stupidly, as my hands rise to scrabble at my neck. I twist and turn, fighting. I suddenly realize I’m still holding the large crystal. I throw my arm back over my shoulder wildly. I feel it connect, once, twice, and a muffled grunt of pain. The cord around my neck loosens and I scream. I stomp on the person’s foot as hard as I can and scream again. I spin, and just as I open the doors in my brain for my magic to flow, the bathroom door crashes open.
It’s Kai. He’s shirtless and looks absolutely feral. His magic flows like a delicate knife; I feel the river of heat from him and I tear my eyes from him to my attacker.
“No,” they manage to get out but it cuts off sharply as the magic hits them and they screech.
Suddenly, Kai’s arms are around me. He pushes my face to his chest, gently but firmly. “Don’t look, princess,” he murmurs as his magic parts and flows around me to get to Achlys.
Kai smells of smoke and cedar and there is absolutely no way I can tear my face from his chest. His arms hold me tenderly and I try to slow my racing heart. When the scream cuts off, Kai’s magic dissipates and he scoops me up and strides for the bedroom.
“Wait!” I cry, twisting. “I need toseethem dead.”
He stops and turns, making an approving sound in his throat.
There on the floor, is the scorched and twisted body of Ordained Achlys, their gleaming necklace that marks them as a soothsayer held limply in one hand. My hand raises to my neck.
“That’s enough, Oleander,” Kai rumbles. I shiver. That’s the first time he’s said my name. He turns and paces to my bed, sitting me on it. He drops to his knees, his hands running over my neck.
I raise my hands to grab his, “I’m fine.”
He makes a displeased noise. I suddenly realize we’re both in our underwear.
“Um...” I say, now awkward, “I really am alright, General.”
