“Did you run out of males to fuck Saraswati?” Titus taunted, but she only responded with a slight glare.
“Are you alright love?” She asked with genuine concern. After I figured out how to breathe again, I replied, “Yes,
sorry, still recovering from a little mishap in the channel.”
“You traveled here by water way? But how? A glamour wouldn’t give you water breathing ability.” She asked curiously.
“Shield projection,” Titus cut in.
“I see, that is a more advanced and uncommon magic, I’m assuming the shield faltered?” she asked.
“We were... practicing. I’m Delilah by the way,” I said with a smile while reaching for her hand. I never knew whether to shake a woman’s hand or not, but in this situation it felt appropriate… but maybe I was just wanting to touch her, make any excuse for physical contact with her.
She happily shook my hand in the very feminine finger clasping way that women do. Her skin was soft; I wondered what kind of hand cream she used.
“Saraswati, head archivist of Coralis Falls, and unfortunately former bed partner of Titus, but don’t worry that was ages ago,” She stated kindly while rolling her eyes as his name left her lips.
“A-hem, Lord Titus, I am a High Lord now you know,” He stated boldly as if to remind us that he was still in the room.
“Apologies, I have something that may help with your shield projection, Lord Titus.” She said professionally but accentuated his title as if to be respectful, but there was just the slightest hint of mockery there. Her slight upturned corner of her mouth was like a language only females could read.
She turned her wrist upward. The door opened briefly as a book glided through the air and landed in her slender fingers adorned with stacks of rings. Then the door closed shut.
“Thank you,” he said as he reached for the book. She shut the book quickly and pulled it away.
“Lord Titus, you know better, nothing is ever free,” she said as she gave him a menacing grin.
“I could just incinerate you right here, but I am a busy Lord so tell me what it is you want Saraswati.” He replied with boredom.
“You won’t because that would be an act of war, a war you cannot win, and besides all I want is to share one glass of wine with your mate while we discuss.” She suggested smoothly, her voice caressed me like silk.
“Oh, I’m not his….” I began to say, thinking this was supposed to be a big secret that no one, especially his enemy, should know.
She held up her flat palm to me, “Save it, I know the smell of burnt flesh, there can only be one reason you have a burn that he didn’t heal nor conceal.”
Jesus, she really was a know it all, in the best possible way. I didn’t even know it couldn’t be healed or glamoured.
Titus groaned in aggravation. “That’s it? A glass of wine?
Why? Are you trying to poison her?”
“Oh Guardians, no, I wouldn’t want to get fed to your dragon.” She said pointedly as she raised a brow.
How did she know about what happened at the SkyGuard feast? Was there anything this female did not know? Maybe she was a witch.
“Shame, I liked Prisca, I always felt like she was born in the wrong Kingdom, she would have thrived as a Water Fae, our ideologies are more… mmm…progressive than that of the Fire Fae.” She replied.
“I didn’t come here to discuss politics or my bitch sister, so tell me why you want to drink wine with my mate,” He commanded coldly.
“It’s innocent really, I work long hours and spend most of my time here with dusty books, my only socialization is with Hocks up front and he’s great, but I just really missed female interaction.” She explained innocently.
He glanced at me seeking my approval. I nodded.
“Alright, but whatever you pour her, you will drink first. I’ll have a glass too—not that I distrust you, but let’s be honest our kingdoms are near war, so let’s stop pretending like they aren’t.” Titus replied in his commanding High Lord voice.
She nodded in approval. “I understand,” and three goblets made of sea glass appeared on her sand dollar desk along with a kraft of red wine. She poured herself a glass, took a healthy sip, and gave Titus an innocent smile.
She poured him one and handed it to the High Lord. He smelled it, swirled it around to inhale its heady vapor, then he dipped his finger in to taste. His tense posture immediately relaxed as he handed me the glass and said, “it’s fine.”
