As Ever stokes the fire, the venison still on the spit drips juice onto the coals, making them hiss.
The Seelie fae do not know how to deal with a king who chooses to cook his own meals. At first, they were offended, but now, they do not seem to mind so much.
They have never had a king like him.
Not that he looks like much of a king at present.
“Still no crown?”
His eyes narrow. “No.”
There was something called a coronation a few weeks ago. Seelie from all around gathered to watch fae in robes put the old king’s crown on Ever’s head. The tiny metal hat looked liked it belonged to a youngling. I made sure to tell him this, which earned me a fist to the gut.
They have commissioned a new crown that is meant to fit his large Unseelie head. I will have to find something else to tease him about then. All the Seelie in the castle do is kiss his feet andtell him that he is wonderful. It is my duty as his closest friend to ensure all the praise does not go to his head.
Otherwise, his new crown will not fit either.
“How is everyone to know you are the most high ruler without it?” He can always count on me to ask the most important questions.
Ever drops the poker in favor of a skewer. “You should not mock your king,” he grumbles around a large bite.
“My apologies, Your Royal Majesty, most handsome and strongest in all the land.”
“Better.” He drags his sleeve across his mouth so the juices do not drip down his chin.
That is maybe the only good reason to wear a shirt.
My own chest is bare to the sun and breeze. I tried a shirt exactly once, but the fabric made me feel as if I were being strangled from all sides. Biscuits ate it, and I did not even scold him. He is a good goat. Probably the best goat to have ever lived.
Although I do wish he would stop munching on my socks. I have gone through more pairs than I can count.
I give my Biscuits a pat on the head as he enjoys his grassy breakfast beside us. He loves grass, but he also enjoys bushes. And corn. Yes, my Biscuits is a fiend for corn.
Ever eyes my Biscuits with jealousy. He probably wishes he had a goat as well. “I am surprised that you have not eaten him yet.”
I cover Biscuits’s ears so that he does not hear the foul things my supposed friend has said. Once I am certain Ever will not continue to scare him, I lean close and whisper, “Do not listen to the mean fae. You are the best goat, and I would never eat you.” I might have once claimed to have eaten a goat, but that was before I knew what one truly looked like. Now that I know, I can say for a fact that there are no goats on the Unseelie side of the canyon.
Thank goodness for that. The wolves would surely fill their bellies with my Biscuits.
Wolves will eat just about anything. Deer. Unicorns. Fae.
Ever nudges my boot with his. “You never answered my question.”
I think back to our conversation but cannot remember any question. My friends can become irritated by the way my mind wanders. I have tried to keep it from traveling so far to no avail. There is much to see in this land; focusing can be difficult.
“Before you started on about the bees, I asked if you would like to accompany Kerris and me to the quarry today.”
I am not certain what a quarry is, but I am always interested in discovering new places. “Will Nia Quill be there?” If Kerris Dawn is going, there is a good chance. They are cousins, after all. We have no cousins—or siblings, for that matter, because Unseelie are only allowed one child. Seelie can have as many children as they choose. The other day, I met a woman with four. Four!
Ever’s lips press flat. They are always doing that when I mention his mate’s cousin. “I believe she and Nolan Graham will be coming, yes.”
Nolan.
What sort of name is that? He does not deserve Nia Quill’s attention, let alone her affection. What does she see in him, anyway? He is short. All the Seelie fae are. Nia is tall for a Seelie female. Does she not wish to have a strong male to protect her? Nolan looks as if he would blow over in a stiff breeze.
“Kerris says that her cousin is going to propose to him on her birthday,” he adds. Probably as revenge for the crown comment.
His words make me want to stuff my fingers in my ears so that I cannot hear them.
