Page 97 of The Poison of the Earth
“Of course. What is it?”
“Dante and I are twins. We do everything together. If you choose one of us, I must beg you to take us both.”
I blink fast, the image of being pressed between their two lithe, red chests not an unwelcome one. Korben swallows a laugh.
“Do you even share lovers?” I ask, mostly teasing.
“We do, Lady. We’ve never experienced anything major without the other. I beg you not to separate us.” He looks frantic.
I nod, “Thank you for telling me.”
Korben leads me forward, “Lo and Kai would have kittens if you brought two men home.”
It’s my turn to gulp back a giggle. I hand Korben my empty wine glass.
“Lord Dante, your twin has explained your concerns.”
“Thank you for considering them, Lady Oleander,” he responds with a polite smile.
Shit, they might be the best choice...choices. Even if their codependency is a bit...much.
Ellis’ green eyes are upon me already, the desire clear in his eyes. His shaggy black hair and ivory skin don’t clearly mark him as a fire Fae but that matters not to me. He flashes me a big grin and it makes me smile back.
“Lady Oleander, you look exquisite tonight. Well, you’ve looked delectable every time I’ve laid eyes upon you, but you are simply striking this evening.”
Smooth. An experienced flirt, hmm? Two can play at that game.
“Korben, would you fetch me a fresh glass of wine?”
Korben’s eyes narrow but he turns to do as asked while I turn back to Ellis.
“My lord,” I look up at him through my lashes, “And what would recommendyouto be my husband?”
He grins again, and he is quite attractive. “Come closer, kitten.”
I step up to the dias and he leans down to whisper, “I would make sure my wife was well-fucked every night and spent her days relaxing: dancing, gardening, sewing, horse- or griffon-back riding, whichever she prefers. Until she gave us children, of course.” He smiles in a way that very clearly says he imagines this is a lovely proposal but the bile is at the back of my throat and panic hot in my chest. I swallow both down.
I smirk up at him, “Oh, my lord, we misunderstand each other. I want to rule therealm, not a nursery.” And I walk away. Korben joins me, glass of wine in hand.
I stop in front of the green-skinned Fae. He’s still standing at attention, his gaze locked on the far wall and hands behind his back. His face is blank.
I stare up at him for a moment. His face is beautiful, delicate but masculine. He’s tall and slender, like all of his brothers, a feature they got from their mother. I wonder which of his parents have earth or water in their line. It’s not a flaw to have a mixed bloodline; honestly, most Fae do. But the way they hid him... I frown, considering what his life must be like. They are obviously ashamed of him, ruining their secret. Which is not even a big deal.
“You must be Lord Finnick,” I say quietly.
“I am. Pleased to meet you, Lady Oleander.” His voice is lyrical and I immediately wonder what his magic is. His eyes don’t move from the wall.
“Will you look at me, Lord Finnick?”
Silence. But he takes a deep breath and looks down at me.
His eyes are a deep, honey, gold-flecked brown and I’m immediately reminded of a dark river in the fall sunlight. I smile at him.
Those eyes hold only... not quite sadness but something akin.
Resigned, he’s resigned.
“Will you tell me of your favorite memory, Lord Finnick?”
