Page 89 of The Poison of the Earth
I can feel waves of jealousy rolling off Kai so he must be thinking similar thoughts. Korben emerges from the bathroom, looking almost put together.
Ollie chuckles. “Would you like me to tie up or braid your hair, Korben?”
He blinks at her. “That’s really nice to offer, Ollie. But, nah. I like it like this.”
She just nods.
Seeing the light fading quickly, I say, “C’mon, let’s go.” I sigh.This is what must be done. To make the lands safe. To keep shifters from being persecuted. To give Ollie the throne.
We head down the hall and down a wide set of stairs into an open room. A servant is waiting and pushes open large metal doors etched with flames.
Standing at the head of the table, opposite the open doors, is Lord Larkstead. An older Fae given the gray threading his black hair, he’s a bit heavy set. His skin is a pale ivory and he has a chiseled jawline.
“Welcome, Commander Lonan,” he says, smiling. “Come, sit, eat. Let us talk.” He gestures to the open chairs along one side of the table. We head into the room and sit, Korben helping Ollie with her chair. Opposite us sit five younger male Fae.
“It is good to meet with you, Larkstead,” I answer.
“Please, you must call me Leland,” he smiles.
I nod and he greets the rest of the party. Food is brought in by silent-footed and eyes-downcast servants. I take a sip of wine.
“My sons,” Larkstead says waving his hand. “Adrian, Blake, Chase, Dante, and Ellis.”
Said sons look very similar to him, same aquiline nose and defined jaw. Two of them have the striking red skin you see in some fire Fae. One son with gray skin and bright orange hairsmirks at me. The one with short black curls tosses me a small smile.
“My wife and youngest son are down in town, tending to some business. You’ll meet them soon.”
I can taste the lie but I just nod agreeably. “Good, that’s good.” I take a deep breath. “Lord Larkstead, I have something to tell you but it must not leave this room. I need your word that this room is safe from prying eyes and ears and that none of you will speak of this to anyone else, until and unless we come to a treaty agreement.” I look at him intently.
He blinks his yellow eyes at me as he takes my measure. “I do so swear, with the caveat that I can speak of this with my wife in private.”
“Fine,” I nod. “May the pain of oblivion find you across the Veil do you lie,” I add, wanting the most serious oath of Faekind.
His eyes narrow but he repeats it.
I nod. “We’ll agree to the marriage in exchange for financial support, troops, and a griffon contingent.”
He chuckles. “Well, well. That’s quite the ask. We had previously only discussed financial support in exchange for your hand in marriage to one of my boys.”
I nod. “It won’t be me. Allow me to introduce Oleander Stonesthrow. Younger sister to King Alder.”
The silence is enough to make your ears ache.
“Bullshit,” one of the sons spits.
Ollie straightens. “Not bullshit. I’ll swear it in front of your Ordained and soothsayer. And watch how you speak to me, good sir, as I’ll be choosing my husband and future King-Consortmyself.”
A fork clatters to a plate. Ollie smiles sweetly as all five of the Fae across from us look her over with renewed interest. I grit my teeth.Trust my mate, I repeat to myself.
Larkstead clears his throat and his sons resume dinner. His keen eyes are upon me. “If our soothsayer verifies this, I will agree. But I would prefer you and I chose her husband.”
I shake my head. “No. Oleander, the soon-to-be Queen of Faery, will choose her own partner. It is not up for debate or haggling. We’ll take this offer to Clan Narisa. I hear they have several unmated dragonkin in the family.”
He straightens. “Fine. One of my boys, sworn and consummated and to sit upon the throne, for gold, troops and a flight of griffons.”
I nod, torn between smugness and despair.
Chapter Twenty-Six
