Page 60 of The Poison of the Earth
The rest of breakfast goes quietly. Lonan updates everyone on the news from Cas and Tazi at Squall’s End.
“So they’re dug in?” Lilac asks.
Lonan nods, “No signs of attacking. Probably trying to scare them into parley.”
“Or starvation,” grimaces Korben.
As everyone finishes, I stand and scoop up plates to bring to the kitchen. Kai looks at me oddly but Lonan knows I just want some time with Cook.And away from the two of them, godsdamn. Entirely too much male ego and testosterone in one room.
Last night, when I could stand against their combined pig-headedness no longer, I had crawled into Lonan’s bed, while the two of them had a drink in the reception room. When I awoke this morning, Lonan was being spooned by Kai, his arm over Lo’s belly, and their fingers tangled together. A tiny flare of jealousy woke inside me, aggravated that I wasn’t between them.
I push open the door to the kitchen and Cook turns. She smirks.
“Well, lassie, in a better mood now that you’re getting dicked into next week regularly?”
Lu’s ears flatten to her head and she snickers but swats Cook.
I glare at her, “Enough from you. Mayhapyouneed to get dicked into next week, Cook.”
She giggles, “And what makes you think I’m not?” She turns and heads to the cellar as Lu and I stare at each other before we both start to cackle.
I bring the dishes to the sink and grab an apron before turning on the water to wash them. Lu’s tail is wagging, low and slow as she chops onions. She’s content, and that makes me happy.
“How are things going with him?” I ask, my back to her.
“Him?” She asks.
“Or her? Whoever you’re going to the Mabon Festival with.”
“Ohh. Well, we’re just friends. He’s one of the younger guards.”
“Not Jax? That Fae was just a week ago sniffing after my skirts!” I blurt.
Lu laughs, “Well, I understand why! But no, it’s Jonah, his brother.”
I make a noise, trying to remember him. “They’re all fire, right?”
“Uh-huh,” she replies, “Shifters. Salamanders.”
Cook returns. “Those fire Fae fuck like Gods.”
We both turn and look at her.
“What?” She giggles.
Given the way Kai made me ride him until I came, whilst saying the dirtiest, sweetest words... I could easily believe he fucks like a God.
The three of us chat as we work on the roast for dinner and make plans for what to bring to the Mabon Fest. It’s tradition that every house brings something to eat or drink. Most things being apple or pumpkin or boozey themed. I’m rather excited for it, though I need to come up with an outfit. I wonder if Tazi will be back and we can go together.
When I finally slip out of the kitchen, I feel as if I’m filled with laughter and peace. It’s almost like what having a family would have been like, I think. I head out of the keep, and a flicker of guilt hits me. Lonan didn’t want me to go alone. I push it down. I need freedom. I can’t have a guard trailing me everywhere.Ugh, that sounds terrible. Shit, what am I going to do when I’m Queen?I frown. One problem at a time.
When I raise my hand to knock on Nell and Dana’s door, it swings open. Dana is there, smiling.
“Come in, come in, try these on!”
I grin and grab a shirt and thick skirt and start to change.
“Oh, it’s so soft!” I rub my hand over the skirt.
