Page 54 of The Poison of the Earth
She’s crossed her arms under those gorgeous breasts of hers. She just watches me, skepticism in her gaze.
“And I’m so sorry for what you endured. It’s... unacceptable.” Wrath fills me again, “I would know the names of those responsible so that I may...” I stop. It’s more than I meant to say. But the thought of my mate,mylittle mate hurt and alone and enchained. Well fuck, rage isn’t a strong enough word for the emotion running through me.
Her eyes are wide and she takes a tiny step towards me. She whispers, “Did you tell Lonan?”
I shake my head, my eyes locked on her face.She hasn’t told him herself yet?
“Thank you for that.”
I nod, unsure of my voice. She inches closer to me, head cocked. “I didn’t thank you for saving me from Achlys either. So, thanks.” She sounds lost.
I shift a little. “Uh, you’re welcome.”
She quickly steps back. “Would you care for a drink? I have a bottle of wine.”
“Sure.” I don’t really care for wine but I’m not about to turn anything from her down.
She crosses to the small sideboard and pulls two glasses of the tray, carefully pouring the rich red wine into them. I step behind her, close–too close but I cannot help myself—and take one of the glasses.
She freezes at my nearness for a moment, then sidesteps and crosses to a chair by the empty fireplace. She sits smoothly and I press a fire started. As it immediately crackles happily, she smiles. I sit in the chair across from her.
“You’re a sol.”
I nod. She surely realized it when I killed Achlys. Sols are the most powerful of the fire Fae. We are not common.
When I say nothing, she takes a deep drink, as though steeling herself.
“Kai, I need...”
My heart leaps in my chest. My mate needs something from me.Anything, baby.
“I need someone in the Inner Circle to talk to about... something. It’s silly, but I can’t seem to figure it out. I’d rather talk to Cook or Lu but Lonan thinks it should stay more... private. If Tazi was here, I’d ask her her thoughts but...”
“Of course you can ask me. Tell me, I mean. Whichever.” I try to smile but her face is nervous.
“You must promise me that you’ll let me tell Lonan on my own.”
I nod. “Alright, Princess. I do so promise.”
She tosses back the rest of her wine. I manage not to raise my eyebrows but I do swiftly stand and take her glass for a refill. My hand touches hers as I do and heat slips from me to her.
I cross to fill it and chastise myself.Where is my control? Letting my magic drop like I was a green youth.
It’s her. She does it to me. I’m totally unmanned by her. I return, handing her her glass, my grip tight on my magic, and sit across from her again.
We both take a drink, her surprising, gorgeous eyes latched upon my face.
“I said I have a contact with the royal clan in Guivre.”
I nod, silent.
“It’s my former lover. I... had expected to never speak to him again.”
I swallow, throat dry. I want to ask his name, because I’m going to kill him but I simply nod again and sip my wine.
“You see, his mother is in Narisa’s line. A second cousin. She could easily pass a message. Would be happy to recommend me, us, to the clan.”
I try to shake the image of gutting this man, this dragon, out of my head. “Could you... contact her directly? His mother?”
