Page 99 of The Poison of the Earth
“Do you, Oleander Stonesthrow, swear your body in bond with this Fae, Finnick Larkstead?”
“I do,” I respond.
“And do you, Finnick Larkstead, swear your body in bond with this Fae, Oleander Stonesthrow?”
“The Lord and Lady will it be so.” She nods. “We will test your betrothal bond in the morning.” She smiles at us widely, eyes twinkling.
Finnick lets go of my hand slowly, turning to his parents who whisper to him. The four of us stand silent until he turns back to me.
“Oleander,” he says, a thread of strength in his voice, “Betrothed. Let us go to my rooms.”
Kai and Lonan both start to speak but I hold up my hand to them. “I would be more comfortable in my rooms, Finnick. Surely you wouldn’t deny me that comfort?” I smile shyly.
Finnick takes both my hands drawing me in. He dips his head, resting it against the top of mine. “Of course not, beloved.”
Beloved? Alright. At least he seems like he’ll be easy to handle.
“Thank you, Finnick,” I smile up at him, all sugar and no spice.He’ll find out the true ratio soon enough.“Come,” I say, starting for the door, holding his hand.
No one speaks a word until we’re at the door of my, rarely used, rooms.
“One moment, Finnick,” I say softly.
He nods and I step away to talk to Kai, Lonan, and Korben–who is a few steps away politely waiting.
If I was expecting more kind words and gentle sentiment from my men, I was sorely mistaken.
Lonan is grinning. “Well, Ollie, have fun with that wet dishrag. I’m going to fuck Kai all night long. I think we’ll start in the shower, so that after the first round, we can suck each other off at the same time.” He nods decisively and Kai’s smirk grows. “He’ll take every inch of my cock and beg formore,harder,again. He’ll cry out my name in ecstasy. Feel free to enjoy that thought while you’re getting a mediocre weinering.” And he spins and heads to his room.
I purse my lips, annoyed as fuck. Kai and Korben watch, to make sure I’m safe, until I slip into my room, tugging Finnick with me. Fuck.
I stride into the room and turn in a circle. The sun is still bright in the sky and there is a large table laden with food. My stomach rumbles. It’s dinner time and I missed lunch getting ready. I frown. It’ll have to wait. I want to get this over with.
Finnick stands in the center of the room, hands once again behind his back, looking awkward.
An awful thought strikes me. “Finnick... you’ve beenwitha Fae before, right?”
He blushes and it’s kind of adorable. “I have, Lady Oleander. Have... have you?”
Gods, I am going to wreck him.The thought inexplicably cheers me.
I sigh. “Yes. And good. I think—”
“We should eat and get to know one another?” He suggests, a warm smile on his face.
“Uh, no. Not as such. I think we should meet the requirements first.”
“The requirements?” His face falls. “Oh, yes, I suppose, if you think that best.”
I nod firmly. “I do. Get undressed and bend over the bed,” I command.
Finnick hesitates, his face confused, but I’m in a wretched mood. He raises a hand, his long, straight pale green hair now loose down his back. He steps towards me.
“Betrothed. My beloved Oleander—” he starts.
I grin in an evil way. “I think we need to get a few things straight, Finn.” I turn and pull the laces my dress, tugging at them gently as I cross the room. I step out of the gown, revealing my black strapless bra and panties.
I dig in my pack as I continue. “This—” I pause my search to gesture between us, “Is a marriage of convenience. We both know this. And we both know that tomorrow, we must emerge and declare before Ordained Eliska that we’ve had sex.”
