“Don’t care about balls. At least not those balls. I rather appreciate my own, though,” Praxis said and smirked. Ael chuckled, and Praxis continued, “Whatever you want, sire. I’ll have the guard on duty when it happens.”
“You’re disgusting!” Luelle sneered as she dropped her fork on her delicate china plate, cracking the edge. “No one here wants to think about your saggy, sweaty balls.”
Meir was glaring between the two, clearly baffled by their lack of manners toward Ael. Ael tried to conceal his laughter with his hand when he saw Meir’s reaction, and his eyes began to water.
“My balls arenotsaggy, thank you very much. But they’re rather sweaty. Wanna help me air them out?”
“Sire,” Luelle said sarcastically, but acknowledging his title because Meir was there. “Please tell your chief to shut the flying-fuck up. I’m going to puke.” She stood up and wiped her mouth with her napkin, pretending to gag. “You know what, I’m going to leave. I’ll be back later.Sire, will you have a job for me soon? I’ve been bored with you being away. Everyone has been so dull, and I would like a little fun.”
For Luelle, fun was either hooking up with strangers, fighting with Praxis, or gathering information and gossip for Ael.
Praxis wiggled his eyebrows at her, and she growled at him, looking like a ferocious rabbit, and stormed out of the room.
“Your Highness,” Meir said as he tried desperately to change the subject. “I will coordinate a ball for two nights from now. Also, I’ve been researching the library and have yet to find anything on magicthat has the color purple. I will continue my search and let you know what I find. Would you like anything else from me before I make my way over there?”
Ael shook his head and thanked Meir for trying. Meir bowed and walked out of the doors, leaving Praxis and Ael behind.
“Sire, it is good to have you back. Luelle is more feisty with you here. She was a boring mess when you were gone. Also, I don’t know why she complained about my balls. She’s played with them countless times,” Praxis said as he chewed through his scrambled eggs.
Ael laughed. “I did miss you guys. She can go find some poor soul to consume for the night while she awaits some drama to unfold.” Ael took a sip of orange juice and asked,“What’s the word on the Lycanthropes at the wall?”
“We tried to make contact, but they disappeared before the guard arrived. I figure they just went back home,” he took another bite of his eggs.
“I need to make peace with them. If what’s happening in the southern parts of Xyberus reaches here, we shouldn’t be fighting among ourselves, even if I don’t give two shits about those people. I will make time after this ball to go down and visit them,” Ael said.
Two servant women walked in and collected the dishes. One pretty young Fae appraised Ael from head to toe, her eyes taking on a sly, suggestive glint.
He looked away.
Praxis noticed the exchange and waited for them to leave before saying, “Sire, you used to accept offers like that so willingly. I heard that you sent away the Madame and her women last night, as well. Is everything okay?”
Ael sighed and admitted, “I’m no longer available for them.”
Ael fiddled with the clear stone in his pocket and wished he were alone to watch Seda like the creep he knew he was.
Chapter 42
Seda
The sound of birds chirping woke Seda as she looked around the room. Her head throbbed from drinking mead the night before, and the rising chirping seemed to press against her temple. Maybe mead and her didn’t mix so well.
At some point during the night, Kalon left the house, leaving her alone. She glanced over at the partially open door. She wondered if anyone else had entered the small home or if he had just left the door slightly ajar.
There was a knock at the door, and Seda sprang up. “Come in,” she called to whoever was on the other side. She winced as it felt like her brain was throbbing from the movement.
At least they knocked while the door was open.
With her mushroom crown hanging loosely on her head, Lucjawalked in carrying a tray of food for her. “Good morning, dear. Thought you might like some food after all that mead last night. You were not feeling too hot there at the end.”
“Thank you, Lucja. I really appreciate all of your hospitality,” Seda said to her. She had never in her life been treated so sweetly by strangers. This small woman invited her into her home, threw a party, let her drink mead for the first time in her life, and was now bringing her breakfast in bed.
“Oh, I do wish you had fun,” Lucja responded, her face brightening at the compliment. “We never get travelers here. And it has been so long since we got to host a party.”
Seda sat at the edge of the bed and accepted the tray of food. Her eyes widened as she saw the plate loaded with fresh berries, pancakes, jam, and fried eggs. “I’ve never had a feast like this before in my life, Lucja! This looks amazing!”
“Dig in, sweetie. Best while it’s still hot.”
Seda immediately dove into her plate of food, starting with the pancakes. “Yummm,” she moaned as the flavors hit her tongue.
