Page 374 of Never Kiss a Fae
“I do,” I replied, smiling at his excitement. “But you have to learn and earn it. Just like Kalt is doing now with his internship.”
Some of his happiness ebbed. “I don’t want to be a politician or an emissary.”
“You don’t have to do that; his role is only one example. Maybe you can join us at the next Interrealm Fae Council meeting to learn about other opportunities.”
He considered it for a moment, then nodded. “I would like that.”
“Good.” I grinned. “Now let’s go see what Titus plans to make. I’m guessing it’s breakfast related.” My mate knew how to make a killer omelet.
“Domestic Titus entertains me immensely,” Lance admitted.
“It entertains me, too.” But for very different reasons.
I turned to find Cyrus’s eyes on me, his icy irises swirling with warmth.I think you just showed all of us up in this nurturing trial, little queen,he whispered into my mind.
He just needs someone to talk to,I replied.I’m happy to be that person for him.
It’s more than that, Claire. He admires you. Not as a mate, but as a role model. And that’s what he desperately needs.
He could use Titus for that,I pointed out.
He’s too stubborn for it, and so is your fire mate,he replied as Exos handed him some ingredients. The two of them appeared to be cooking together rather than individually.
Vox had gone solo, making something with eggs.
Titus was working on an omelet, just like I’d thought, so they shared a space but prepared separately.
And Sol… appeared to be taking a nap at the table.
I eyed him with an arched brow.Sol?
Mmm?he hummed back at me.
What are you cooking?I wondered, amused by his sleepy-mind mumble.
Skittle snacks,he said, not moving an inch from the table.
Skittle snacks?I repeated, entertained.So you found the rainbow in the Human Realm?
Rainbow?he sounded exhausted.I don’t know about a rainbow.
And I don’t know what skittle snacks are.
Scuttle… scuttle… butt… snacks?He was full-on drifting now. Rather than wake him up, I just walked over to run my fingers through his hair and sat beside him on the bench. He snored while the others cooked.
River just chuckled and shook his head. “Well, he’s not going to win.”
“They all win,” I murmured, stroking my earth mate’s cheek. “The baby will belong to all of us, regardless of who gains the most points.”
Cyrus winked at me from the kitchen, his agreement warming our bond. Exos handed him a plate of chopped vegetables, which my water mate proceeded to layer into a casserole dish.
“Where the fuck is my Firebird egg?” Titus suddenly demanded, causing Sol to jolt awake beside me. His forehead had a bunch of crispy flakes embedded into it from the table. He narrowed his eyes, then flicked the items from his head and onto the table in a confetti-like confusion.
“Oh…” Vox turned beet red, his eyes widening. “Uh…”
“You didn’t.” Titus stared down my air mate, their similar heights making them eye level with each other. But Titus had about thirty pounds more muscle on him than Vox. “Tell me you didn’tcook my Firebird egg.”
“Did you put it on the counter?” Vox asked, his voice lifting at the end into a squeak.
