Page 94 of The Poison of the Earth
“Please leave, Ordained,” I say quietly.
She nods and smiles. She leaves and as soon as the door closes, Lo and Kai cross to me.
“Exquisite, princess,” Kai whispers, hand going to my back.
“Perfect, my little queen,” Lonan says into the top of my hair.
Their sorrow seeps into my bones and I struggle to hold back tears. I cross my arms under my breasts. “You’re not losing me,” I insist. “I’ll continue to fuck whoever I please. I’ll sleep between the two of you every night. Nothing changes,” I say fiercely.
They both touch me, reassuring me, or mayhap themselves, I don’t know.
“Let’s go pick out a prize cow,” I mutter.
THE MAIN HALL IS Afloor below the dining room. Many Fae mill about, in fancy gowns and suit coats, holding crystal glasses of wine. A small string ensemble plays in the corner and heavy candelabras hang from the ceiling, filling the room with the sweet scent of good beeswax. Large vases, nearly my height, are filled with greenery and lined along three walls. Along the last wall stand six low podiums.
Kai leans in and whispers, “Are we actually going to be bidding on the cows?”
I chuckle. “I need wine. A lot.”
“A little,” corrects Korben. “You don’t wanna be drunk when picking a husband.”
Lonan snags a wine from a passing servant. I see Lady Larkstead flitting about like an overgrown bumblebee, a wide smile on her face.She’s loving this.I take a deep drink of wine.
Ordained Eliska is here too. She’s still in the black clothes of an Ordained, but it’s a tailored dress, with a black leather underbust corset before the gown hugs her ample hips and drops to the floor gracefully. Her pink hair is swept loosely up on her head, a few strands curling artfully around her face.She’s a gorgeous woman, really.Earth Fae, I’m guessing.
The Monkswicks like to pretend they are doing a service to the realm, adopting and raising orphans, but in reality, they only take the ones that promise to be attractive or powerful.
“Lady Oleander!” I turn and see Lord and Lady Larkstead.
“Good afternoon,” I paste on my fake smile, “I didn’t realize it was going to be open to the public.”
“Oh, not the public, pumpkin,” purrs Lady Larkstead, “These are the gentry of our land. All very rich and well connected.”
Ah, their bootlickers.The public would have been better.
I take another drink. “I see.”
“My sons will be out soon,” Lord Larkstead says proudly, like he had fuckall to do with growing, birthing or raising them.
“Wonderful,” Lonan brusquely responds, putting a hand on my elbow, “We’re barely able to contain ourselves.”
Korben turns, stifling a laugh. He strides away, stepping behind a planter. Probably to spore and eavesdrop.Good. Lord and Lady Larkstead drift away, drawn by a more interesting conversation.
Kai leans close, “You sure you still wanna do this baby? We can slip out the back and steal a few griffons and bust outta here.”
His green eyes are completely serious. I pat his hand discreetly. “That’s the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me, Kai. But no.”
Suddenly the room's volume drops a bit. Not silence, but enough to make me look around. Sure enough, being trotted in like show ponies, are the Larkstead sons. They walk in the side door and behind the podiums before stepping up onto them. A servant is there almost immediately to offer them a drink.
“Wait, where are the other two?” I whisper to Kai and Lo. They shake their heads, silent. I stand on my tiptoes. “Who is missing?”
Lo answers, “The second and the last podium are empty.”
“Where’s Eliska?” I hiss.
Kai slips off, probably to retrieve her for me. I sidle close to two older Fae gentlemen, both with bright red skin.
“Well, if they want to marry off one of their sons to a nobody, that's their prerogative, I suppose.”
