Page 47 of The Poison of the Earth
I grin and ease into the other side of my bed, grabbing a stack of letters I need to read.
As I settle in, Ollie looks over and arches an eyebrow. “A gentleman would offer to sleep on the couch.”
I chuckle. “I’m not a gentleman, sweetheart, and I’ll be happy to show you why over and over again, whenever you wish it.”
Her now-rounded cheeks pink, a shade off her pretty eyes, and she flicks her glance back to her book silently.
I grin as I tear open the first message.
Chapter Sixteen
Oleander
Iawake the next morning to Lonan stroking my cheek. As soon as my eyes open, his drop, so as not to startle me.
“Good morning sweetheart. I would normally let you sleep, but with the death of Achlys, we need to discuss strategy at breakfast, and I didn’t imagine you wanted to miss that.”
I smile at him, touched. “You imagined correctly.” I sit up and toss the cover back.
“I had your gowns brought up. They are in the wardrobe,” he says as he slips out of bed, grabs a pile of his clothes, and leaves the bedroom.
I freeze, touched, again, by his thoughtfulness, even if he wasn’t willing to give up his bed to me.I didn’t awake to him curled behind me, thrusting his hard cock against my ass either, so that’s a huge plus, I think.
I quickly use the bathroom and dress, unwrapping my hair. I spot the hairsticks he gave me sitting near the sink and smile.Thoughtful indeed.I quickly wrap my hair up in two twists, one on the upper part of either side of my head, using the emerald sticks to hold them.
I toss on the linen underdress that Cook had given me and tug the arms off my shoulders and put my plum corset over the dress. I am pulling the laces tight when Lonan knocks softly on the door.
“One sec,” I say quickly.
From the other side of the closed door he asks, “May I come in?”
I huff. “Alright.” I’m covered and it’s his room, he probably needs something.
He enters slowly, the door opening. His eyes land on me and he beams at me. “I have something for you,” he says softly as he approaches me.
I stand still as he closes in, his eyes roving me. He lets out a small laugh. “Your hair is adorable like that, Ollie.” Then he holds out a necklace. It’s dark purple amethysts, set in gold. “May I?” he asks nervously.
I smile and nod, stepping towards him. His hands ease around me and he leans forward over me a bit to work the clasp. Then he releases it and his hand smooths it on my upper chest. His eyes take me in. “Gorgeous, sweetheart.”
I glance down and somehow, the magical spell of last night seems to still be in effect. “May I tell you another truth?” I ask softly.
He smiles sweetly, “Always, sweetheart. Always.”
“I... rather like when you call me that.” I flush and spin away, headed out and for the stairs. He doesn’t stop me, but I swear I feel his grin and eyes upon me.
I GET TO THE MAIN HALLand am the first in. As soon as I realize that, I head to the back door into the kitchen.
Cook is there, plating some steaming oatmeal. On the table are bowls of nut butter, honey, apple slices and dried berries.
“Grab yer apron, ya wastrel,” she says, grinning.
I beam back at her and do so, washing my hands and helping her top the bowls.
After a few minutes, she asks, “Are ye doing alright? After yer scare last night?”
“Mmm,” I answer, dusting the last bowls with cinnamon. “Ya heard about that already, eh? I suppose so. Are murder attempts common around here?” I look at her.
She laughs, a bit uneasily. “Nay.”
