“By Zeus’ chafed cock, Rev. This place is like a goddamn testament to overindulgence,” Fiadh says as she looks around the interior of the be-spelled tour bus. “I feel like I’m subjugating the masses just standing in this fucking thing.”
Khol snorts, shooting a look at the Fae as if they had a bet. It’s likely they did; the basiliskadoresmaking people put their money where their big mouth is. “Someone owes me a Benjy,” he sing-songs in a far too cheerful tone.
“I believe I’m owed as well,” Dezi says, and I whip my head around. The vampire playing nice with the snake isn’t common, but maybe he’s trying to fit in.
Stranger miracles have happened.
“Bets aside, I should probably tell you that Revelin didn’t design this bus. The palace and his PR people created and branded it for himit.” My gaze moves to my friend, who simply shrugs. He enjoys riling our girl up too much to defend himself when she’s headed into a tirade.
“As if that makes it less egregious,” she mutters before walking through the outer living area to the kitchen. “Though this area would have delighted Fer.”
“You know you can always have Rev poke the pixie if you need to,” I say as I come behind her, pulling her close to my chest. She doesn’t realize how much touch will soothe her because of mating with shifters yet. I haven’t discussed it because she’s getting used to having people give her affection, much less constant physical touch.
A sigh escapes her lips, making me hide my grin in her hair. Her head falls back a little, and the tension seeps out of her frame a bit more. “I could, but it’s only been a few hours. Both of us need to learn to depend on others. It’s not easy, but we’ve been so trauma bonded because of our parents’ death and the people in Briarvale. It’s not entirely healthy. This trip will help.”
Khol arches a brow at her. “What fucking therapist did you get that shit from?”
“Are you saying I’m wrong?” Knuckles challenges as she glares at him.
“Nope. Khal and I heard similar shit after our folks died… from a fucking therapist. So I wondered when you, of all people, spoke to a headshrinker. It’s not your style, Sassy.” He grins, eyes glittering as he adds, “You’re more the smash and bash therapy type like me.”
Fi’s face turns bright red as we all look at her and she pulls away to stomp further into the bus as she responds, “I did research, okay? I was worried about my sister.”
Mmmhmm.
“Nothing wrong with that.” I give them all alookthat says ‘drop it’ so she doesn’t get even more irritable. As much as our girl is letting us in more than she did previously, she’s got a mountain of baggagefrom their past. Letting her unpack it at her speed is the best way to make sure she doesn’t fall back into old habits. We don’t need her blocking us out because she’s worried about looking weak.
Revelin saves the day by following her back to the bedroom area. I was concerned about that part, so I’m more than glad to let him fucking handle this shit. I made certain the staff cleaned this place from stem to stern during the two weeks we prepared to start the tour, including replacing damn near all the furniture and linens. Fiadh may not have the sense of smell some of us do, but hell if I was going to let the previous party atmosphere get noticed by any of the others.
It would have been disrespectful, and that’s not how cat shifters work.
“What thehell, Revelin?!”
Yep, she found it.
Khol and the vampire look at me, and I shrug. “Just wait.”
Knuckles strides out with the sheepish-looking Fae in tow, her eyes narrowed. “And you didn’t think totellme this was how your…boudoir…was set up?”
“Honestly, no,” he admits as he rubs the back of his neck. “You’re not a wilting flower, lass. And you work in…”
“Thatis not thepoint.” Fiadh crosses her arms over her chest, glaring into the room as if the rest of us were in on this. “Tier, youhadto know.”
My lips curve up, and I shrug. “Wasn’t my place to say. They didn’t know and the Prince should have warned you about all this shit.”
Rev shoots me a menacing look that promises payback later, but I’m not worried. He should have told her about the staff, the bus, the accommodations, and more well before she walked into his realm again. I’m sure there are a thousand other things he should have mentioned as well, but he’s used to having women fall at his feet without questioning him.
It’sa good lesson to learn now rather than later.
“Fiadh, darling, it just didn’t occur to me,” he says soothingly. “I wasn’t hiding it…”
The vampire scoffs, stepping forward with an amused look on his face. “Yes, yes. We get that you’re a thousand plus year old child. Not surprisingly from Fae royalty, but can we move on to the part wheresomeonetells the snakelet and Iwhyshe’s so angry?”
Despite his haughty words, I grin and raise my hand. “Not it.”
Rev groans as Knuckles continues looking irritated, then finally gives in. “It's a bedroom slash playroom meant for me, so there’s an enormous space, but one giant bed. And perhaps… a lot of things for adults to play with.”
The confused frown on Dezi’s face makes me laugh and I have to cough to cover it while he struggles to find words. Once he does, his voice is calm, but puzzled. “Witchling, I’m afraid I don’t understand your ire. You work at Cocktails and likely are quite experienced with all of his equipment. Besides that, you have three mates.”
