“It is,” Kestra carries on, not even noticing my sarcasm. She just doesn’t get it. She’s far too innocent. Except somedays I wonder how much of that is an act. Only time will tell. “Now my time here, I always looked forward to the balls.”
She holds her blanket, well mine now, to her chest and sighs.
“You should go,” I tell her. “Maybe find your own harem.” I wag my brows at her.
“Shush you.” Her cheeks flush. Adorable.
“What?” Done with my first cup, I move onto the second. “What kinds of Fae are you into? Court Fae? Royal? Centaurs?”
“Ashlynne.” She’s scandalized.
It’s the only thing that keeps me going.
“How does one have sex with a centaur?” I tap my lips like I’m really thinking of it.
Actually I am.
“Ash.” Now she laughs outright, that’s when she shrugs her shoulder and mutters, “Doggy style.”
I nearly drop my coffee. “Kestra.” She ducks her chin, still grinning. “You thirsty princess.”
“Honestly it’s the banshees you should watch out for.”
“I’m stunned. Really. Stunned. You vixen.”
“Now will you go?” She pleads again, tucking a sheet into the corner of the mattress.
“Maybe.” I sigh. “I’m really starting to enjoy this wall.”
Her frown says it all as she looks around, finally understanding. “Because it’s a tower.” She shakes her head. “Also if Father chooses a formal introduction, two of your guys will be there. You just have to go down to breakfast this morning. Get on his good side.”
The guys. Except Kieran, who Moros banished in a twist.
It’s been a month. A whole month of cold stone and twilight and nothing but the bond at my wrist to prove they’re even real.
Ignoring the fact her father does not have a good side, I think about it for all of two seconds. “Why wouldn’t you lead with that?” This time I do spill my coffee as I set it down and trip over my own two feet getting to the bathroom.
“Because I’m learning this thing,” she follows after me snapping her fingers. “What is it. Ah. Sarcasm.”
I pause in pulling my shirt over my head to glare at her. “You’re evil.”
“I’m Unseelie.” She winks, grabbing the door handle. “Oh, and I learned from the best.”
She shuts the door.
3
Orion
“Away with you, gnat!”
“Oh, but your flame lord, if you’re not?—”
A bellow loosens from my chest as a forest dweller charges me.
And not the pleasant kind.
No, this one has rows upon rows of needle point teeth that don’t bite through, they shred.
