Taroc had grunted at that. Which was Taroc's way of saying, “I completely agree with Xaedren.”
Speaking of Xae; as I'd been focused on Rath, Xae had wrapped up his conversation with Vex and come back to the bedroom.
“You've got gifts,” Xaedren said and plopped a basket on the bed.
I sat up, the sheet falling to my waist. Rath and I were naked beneath it, but Xae had put on some thin cotton shorts to answer the door. His stare lowered to my waist, and he grimaced. I looked down to see that the sheet was bunched so that my bits were completely covered, not even a hint of them on display for Xaedren to enjoy.
Grinning at my Wolf Ladrin, I leaned forward, reaching for the basket. The sheet fell past my shaft. “Whoops.”
Xaedren chuckled and slid onto the bed beside me. “You always know what I need.”
“I could say the same about you.” I lifted my head to kiss him as I grabbed the basket, then sat back with it. “I like presents.”
“Who doesn't?” Rath leaned in to see what Vex had brought me. “Wine. That's a good start.”
“There are pastries too,” Xae said. “I can smell both sweet and savory versions. I think there's a meat pie.”
“Yup,” I said and handed it to him. “And custard buns. He knows I love custard buns.”
Xae made a happy sound as he took the pie, but it wasn't just about the food. As he sniffed the meat pie, his free hand slid over the upper crest of my ass and a finger delved between my cheeks. He smirked at me and said, “I loveyourbuns.”
“Ugh, that was silly.” I pushed him away. “Don't eat all the pie.”
“You've already had dinner,” Xaedren said.
“That doesn't mean I can't eat. You've already had dinner and you want to eat.”
“I'm a Wolf Ladrin.”
“It is an odd time to bring you a picnic,” Rath said with a frown. “Dinner was only a few hours ago.”
“Vex knows I like a snack before bed,” I said absently as I removed the box of buns. To the side of the basket was a small bouquet of wildflowers. I recognized them as those that grewaround Vexen's home. “Flowers. Huh.” I picked them up and gave them a sniff.
“How quaint,” Rath murmured.
Xaedren snorted.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Xae said with a smirk at Rath.
Rath cleared his throat and looked away.
“What?” I asked again.
“You should tell him. He'll like it,” Xaedren said as he cut into the pie with the dagger he kept on the bedside table.
“Is that clean?” I looked pointedly at the dagger.
Xaedren shrugged. “Clean enough.”
I rolled my eyes but then settled my stare on Rath. “You don't have to tell me anything. You're allowed your secrets.”
Rath's eyes went wide. “You think I keep secrets from you?”
“Everyone has a few secrets. Even lovers shouldn't know everything about each other.”
“Yes, they should,” Xaedren said around a bite of pastry and meat. He swallowed, then added, “Let me clarify; we should.”
