The stubbornness of humans.
The last of which wasn’t at all surprising.
“Well,” Marta said, and ran her hands over her apron before taking a seat next to Elric. “Enough talk of that. It’s time to eat. The two of you could use a proper meal.”
She served me first, placing a generous portion of hen and roast vegetables on my plate, then covering it with a heavy pour of gravy. It smelled divine, and I reminded myself to exercise restraint, rather than just gobbling down the food like a starving dog.
Once everyone’s plates were filled, I waited for Elric to lead us in prayer, but instead–he, Marta, and Selvyn began to eat.
“Is something wrong, Iris?” Elric asked through a hefty mouthful of food, his eyes analyzing my untouched plate.
“Shit,” Selvyn murmured. “It isn’t customary for the folk to say a blessing before they eat, Iris. The food is seen as the blessing.”
That was all the explanation I needed.
Grabbing my fork, I enthusiastically speared a succulent piece of chicken and placed it in my already watering mouth. It was rich and flavorful, with accents of butter, rosemary, and cracked black pepper, the luxury of which I hadn’t experienced for quite some time.
The moment I swallowed my first bite, Marta looked at me for approval. “How is it, dear?”
“It’s delicious. Truly.” I piled up my fork again, earning me a wide smile from Marta. “Thank you,” I said before shoving it into my mouth.
* * *
When the chickenwas picked down to nothing but bones and everyone had eaten their fill, Elric rose from the table.
“Lovely meal as always, dearie,” he said, grabbing his wife’s shoulders and placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
“Yes, it was wonderful. I forgot how much I missed fresh hen.” Selvyn took another deep swig from his mug. “And mulled wine.”
“If you’d just move to the village–” Elric started but Selvyn waved him off, and he didn’t push the issue.
Marta used her magic to begin clearing the table; the plates and the chicken carcass floated lazily through the air and into the kitchen. “Elric, why don’t you and Selvyn go ready the cottage while I get Iris some fresh clothes, hmm?”
“I think not. Iris and I will sleep in the hayloft in the barn,” Selvyn huffed.
Marta bolted out of her seat. She leaned over, her hands planted firmly on the table, and glared at Selvyn. “You’ll not have Iris sleep in the hayloft when there is a warm cottage and a comfy bed. This has gone on long enough, Selvyn.” There was a bite to her voice, one that suggested she wouldn’t accept anything from Selvyn other than compliance.
The two stared at one another for a few tense moments, until Selvyn finally spoke.
“Fine,” he said through pursed lips. He stood and sauntered over to me, bending down to whisper in my ear. “Marta may get you some fresh clothes, angel, but once I get you in that bed–” The pointed tips of his teeth grazed my ear, making my breath hitch. “They’re coming right off.”
My skin broke out in gooseflesh, the promise of what was to come once we were alone in the cottage sending a quiver of need straight to my core.
Elric stared at me with raised brows, a delighted smile curling up the corner of his lips.
Was it possible that he could smell my arousal like Selvyn could?
I could feel myself growing hot and I stared down at the floor.
Perhaps he had superior hearing and could make out exactly what Selvyn had whispered.
Selvyn cleared his throat as he rose, his attention turning from me to Elric. “Let’s get on with it then,” he grumbled under his breath.
Elric’s expression sobered. “Right, on with it…” I noticed something akin to sadness in his eyes, the way they went misty as his words trailed off, but it quickly passed.
“I’ll walk her out as soon as she’s cleaned up,” Marta said with a smile. She bustled over to where I sat, her hand coming to rest over my shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
For a moment, Selvyn glanced between the two of us, almost as if he was wary of leaving me.
