Page 88 of The Poison of the Earth
The room, like what we’ve seen of the castle so far, seems cut from the mountain. Large open arches seem to separate the sections of the space. The entry has a small fireplace and several couches on an ornate red rug. The fire is blazing but the air is still chill.
“Wow, fancy,” Korben mutters.
The bedroom also has a gorgeous red rug on the stone floor, and a low bed upon the floor, piled with furs and pillows. A huge fireplace is blazing near the bed. The window shapes mirror the arches and the panes are framed with wood. They overlook the city. Ollie steps into the room and stumbles to the fireplace silently.
I frown as I pace into the room to make sure it’s empty. There is a large closet at the far end of the room and a bathroom with a large tub. Huge, ornate candelabras covered in candles hang from the ceiling. Easy to light when all the servants are fire Fae, I imagine. I drop my pack near the bed and return to Ollie’s side.
“Sweetheart,” I start, reaching out to touch her face. Her skin is chill, and her eyes turn to me slowly.Fuck.
Kai knocks sharply and Korben turns to unbar the door for him.
“Kai, warm Ollie. She’s frozen, the wretched beast,” I growl.
He crosses to us swiftly and puts his hands on her face. Her teeth chatter.
“‘S fine,” she mutters, “Just a little chilled. You two are... so overprotective.”
He snarls and scoops her up, headed for the couch near the larger fireplace. He sits and makes her straddle him. My eyes are upon them and I’m currently considering how much time we have before dinner.
“Awkwarddddd,” Korben says, looking at the ceiling.
I chuckle, “Why don’t you spore and scout? Unless you think it’s too chilly inside the castle?”
He grins, “You got it, boss.”
“Be careful!” I add quickly as he dissolves, already flowing to the crack under the door.
I turn back to my mates. Kai has removed Ollie’s sweater so she’s now in that pretty blouse and corset. She already looks more alert.
“Mmm,” I say as I sit next to Kai, who is radiating heat, “I like you in pants.” I tug her breeches gently.
She giggles, “But then I can’t just pull up my skirts for a little fun.”
We both groan. I add, “Are you feeling better?”
Her skin is much better colored now.
“Yes, of course, I told you, I was fine.”
Kai grunts, “You’re riding back with me.”
“No way! I told Feather I’d love to have her take me home.”
We look at each other before dissolving into laughter.
“What?” Ollie asks, confused. “What?”
I’M JUST WASHING MYface for dinner when I hear Korben’s voice. “Ohhh buddy, this is gonna be wild.”
I wipe off and step out of the bathroom. “What is?”
He shakes his head, “The Lord here seems like an utter jackass.”
“If what my father said of him is true, he is,” Kai says, buttoning his vest.
Korben grabs a change of clothes and enters the bathroom.
Ollie emerges from the small closet. She’s in a velvet gown that matches the green accents of her hair. Its neck dips straight down to button to the waist. Ollie has a wide leather belt over it; it flares a bit as it drops in heavy folds. The sleeves are loose but the cuffs lace tightly around her forearms. She has her hair braided very loosely and draped over her shoulder. She looksexquisite.I’m really going to let another man touch her? I’m a fucking idiot.
