Page 38 of Liar Witch
“Low. Fucking. Blow.” He groans, still cupping his balls.
“Oh, act your age, you two.” Casimir sniggers. “You’d think you’d be a bit more mature, given how ancient you both are.”
I roll my eyes at the irreverent youngsters as I push to my feet and offer Valorean a hand up. He takes it with a glare, and the whole incident is forgiven.
It took me years after leaving the winter court to get used to not worrying that a grudge would come back to haunt me years later. Valorean has no time for the subtle plots and petty revenge schemes of my people.
No, I do not miss that way of life.
All four of us trail behind our mate, watching her delectable ass sway from side to side as she walks towards the galley. She doesn’t waste time when she gets there. Her Goddess is in the sky and the chilling burn of her magic fills the room as she adds the strangest combination of ingredients to the pot. Raw potatoes, pork and pickled greens all go in, but when she distributes it into the five bowls, it’s a rich, herby stew.
I won’t lie, it’s a relief to not have to eat my own food. Even after a thousand years of life, I have still failed when it comes to developing the love and artistry that cooking with any amount of skill requires.
It’s clear Nilsa doesn’t enjoy it either; though if she admits that, I’m sure either Casimir or Rysen will suddenly develop a keen interest in the subject.
I suspect she doesn’t just because she’s still honouring her original bargain.
I don’t sit immediately. Instead, I wait until she’s ready and pull out her chair for her, tucking her neatly in. It gets me an eye roll from Val, but I don’t mind.
I was raised to treat my mate like a lady. Assassin or not. When she’s seated, I wait until she takes the first bite to eat my own, then wait for the inevitable conversation which will follow.
“You want to go to Marisang,” Noster begins, a glint in his white eyes.
That one knows too much. He may hate his visions, but he’s always ahead of the rest of us. That kind of advantage isn’t something to be scoffed at. Many Seers believe it worth the cost of their sight.
Nos just isn’t one of them.
“Woah, let’s rewind back to the revelation that she’s an assassin.” Valorean isn’t going to let this go.
“Oh, you wanted to apologise for almost drowning me?” Her tone is so saccharine sweet that I can’t help but smile. “Go ahead.”
The captain’s mouth opens and closes.
Then comes the most unexpected two words of the century.
“I’m sorry.”
Nilsa’s just as shocked as the rest of us and that, more than anything, puts Valorean’s guard back up.
“Now back to all your lies, witch.”
“I admitted who I was to you, unlike some people. When exactly were you all planning on mentioning that I’m your mate?”
They all shift uncomfortably in their seats. I have to resist the urge to cover myself in glamour, though I have the excuse that I might have passed out if I’d tried to explain.
Showing her my curse without words had been hard enough. It disgusted me that she thought I was trying to force her when I removed my shirt.
I may be cursed, but I still have my honour.
“We thought you were a Solar,” Casimir mutters, breaking my train of thought. “We didn’t want to scare you off.”
“I’m still not certain that you’re my mate at all,” Valorean grumbles. “It makes no sense.”
“Your hard-on proves she is.” Casimir isn’t taking the captain’s bullshit today. “Ry would deck you for trying to deny it when you know full well this isn’t a mage conspiracy.”
“Where is Rysen?” Nilsa’s quiet question silences all of us. “I assumed he was here, but I haven’t seen him since…”
“He’s stuck in his bloodlust.” Valorean doesn’t mince words. “The Queen forced him into the Pits and it set him off. It’s unsurprising, really, considering he was already on the edge.”
