Page 50 of The Poison of the Earth
“And if I don’t?” I’m really not in the mood for orders right now. I realize Lonan is right. I probably would be in a better mindset if he’d gone down on me.
Kai gives me a knowing look. “Then you can train in your dress, matters not to me, but when I come back, we’re going to train if I have to toss you over my shoulder, princess.”
I glare at his back as he spins and leaves my rooms.
Fuck. I stand and quickly unlace my corset.Carried out, my ass. Godsdamnit.
I pull on the black slacks. I tie them in around my waist. They are a bit tight over my hips but the legs cover my feet. I lean over and cuff them tightly. I put the top on and it’s a simple loose tunic that I need to roll the sleeves on. I head to the bathroom and pull out my hair sticks, my hair dropping in waves. I grab a tie and start to braid it tightly down my head.
I hear the door open but before I can call to Kai, I hear a low chuckle. “Oh, princess, I love a little hunt. Don’t try to hide.”
A shiver goes through me and I imagine hiding in the woods, waiting for Kai to find me and fuck me.
What the stones is wrong with me?
“I’m in here!” I yell, popping my head out as I finish up my braid.
He looks almost disappointed. “Good. Come on.”
I follow him out and downstairs. His steps are quick and I hurry to keep up.
“Where are we headed?” I ask, to his back since he won’t slow down for me.
I’m answered with silence and my annoyance only grows. He leads us out of the keep and towards the long, low building I’d marked as the barracks, or somewhat of the sort. Kai pushes open the rough hewn door and enters, holding the door for me to follow. I do and his eyes are scanning the room.Hmm. I guess he takes keeping me alive for Lonan seriously.
I take in the space. It’s not a dormitory, as I had imagined, but a weapons room. Several Fae are around, changing clothes or choosing weapons. There’s a wall that runs the width of the building with three doors in it.
All the Fae turn and greet Kai. He nods, silent. Then he strides to a rack and grabs several weapons. My stomach flipsbut I follow, my face frozen. He heads to one of the side doors and I trail after him, feeling helpless.
Once inside, I take in the space. It’s a smaller room, with a door at the back as well. Long, high windows run the length of the room on the one side. The floor is covered in mats and a mirror covers the wall opposite the windowed one. Kai places the weapons in a stand near the door. I notice there is a small table with a large water pitcher, glasses and what looks like medical supplies.Lovely.
“Alright, Oleander,” Kai starts, his deep voice soft but rumbly, “What have you trained with?” He digs something out of his pocket and pulls his loose dark-copper curls back into a bun.
“Mmm,” I shrug. “Nothing really.” I look at the ground, my eyes on my feet.
“Nothing?” He asks, the disbelief obvious in his voice.
When I don’t respond, he’s silent a moment. “Listen, princess.” He sighs. “Lonan trusts me. You can trust me. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him, including endanger you. Just tell me the truth.”
I stare harder at my shoes. I hear Kai pace to me as I am motionless; he stops directly in front of me. From my perhipery, I watch his hands rise. I tense but he doesn’t touch me.
I blurt without looking up, “My last lov–uh. I was taught to use a small dagger a bit. Just the general stuff any woman should know.”
Silence.
“Alright. That’s a start.” He takes a deep breath. “What of your magic? Lonan said–”
My eyes fly upward, meeting his green ones. “Lonan said what?Exactly? What did he tell you about me?”
He raises his hands in a placating gesture but I’m not in the mood for placating. I glare at him.
He presses his lips inward and together and I get the distinct impression he’s trying not to smile.
“All Lo said was that you’re a strong earth Fae.” A worried look crosses his face and he continues, “Oleander, your job is to learn to keep yourself alive long enough for me to get to you. That’s all you need to do. Delay them until I’m there to kill them, princess.”
His words spark something deep within me and my eyes fall to his lips. I huff. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
Kai blinks slowly as he tilts his head. “You are, though? A princess. Of the ruling family of Faery.”
