Page 98 of The Poison of the Earth
He blinks slowly, eyes taking me in by degrees, without hurry.
A tiny smile plays at the corners of his lips. “The swimming hole. A peak over in the Quiet Mountains. It’s a depression on the now-flat top of the mountain. The water is deep and crystal clear and you can only reach it by griffon. It’s shockingly cold, but the elevation leaves the sun warm and intense.”
I smile at him. “It sounds lovely. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
He nods hesitantly before straightening and re-focusing his gaze into the distance.
I turn on my heel. As soon as I am back in the crowd, Lonan and Kai flank me.
“Well?” Kai asks tightly as I thread through the Fae. I stop in front of Lord and Lady Larkstead.
“I’ve made my decision. Let’s find Ordained Eliska and make our vows.” I state flatly.
“Oh, wonderful, pumpkin!” Lady Larkstead grins, “My son, whichever you pick, will be so excited to be joining our families.” “Leland, get Eliska and meet us upstairs,” she coos, as she threads her arm through mine.
“So, child, Adrian or Ellis?” She asks, giggling. “Both have a line of past lovers to recommend them,” she smiles coyly.
I recoil.What a fucking weird thing for a mother to say.
“Neither. Finnick. Bring him,” I command her.“We’ll meet you in the family dining hall.”
Lonan takes my arm and leads me away, towards the back door, as Lady Larkstead stands there, gape-mouthed.
As soon as we are out of the main hall, Kai asks, “The green-skinned one?”
I nod without speaking. Kai grunts in an unreadable manner. We take the back stairs in silence. My stomach turns over, nervous.Oh well, at least I’m getting laid tonight.
We enter the dining room and Kai lights the candles.
Lonan quickly takes my elbows and kisses me. “I love you, Oleander. You are a piece of me. I will follow you to the ends of the realm.” He kisses me again as Kai frames me in from behind, laying a kiss in the center of my head.
“And I, Oleander, my princess. I am yours: spirit, body, mind. I will love you through all my lifetimes, baby.”
I soften into their bodies. I turn to kiss Kai. Korben clears his throat and we separate just as the door opens.
In troops Lord and Lady Larkstead, followed by Finnick, who looks shocked. Ordained Eliska is last and she shuts the door firmly.
Eliska throws me a little smile and it makes me feel strangely proud.
“Are we ready for the pact?” She asks as they cross the room.
“Yes,” I answer firmly.
“And tomorrow morning, you’ll emerge for the closing of the bond?” She verifies.
I nod.
She turns to Finnick, “Do you understand the terms?”
He nods as he quietly says, “Yes.”
I give him a reassuring smile. He looks nervous.
“Good,” Eliska says, extending her hands to us. She takes one of our hands in each of hers and gently pulls us closer, placing his hand on top of mine.
His sparkling eyes finally meet mine and I’m drawn in.
Ordained Eliska takes a deep breath, and my eyes flick to her. She’s drawing down power and it’s palpable. I fucking hate Monkswicks normally, but she doesn’t make my skin crawl.Perhaps because she’s a woman. Or maybe because she’s so damn pretty.
