Page 52 of The Goddesses' Gifts

Oz shook with quiet laughter.

“Before we get too far from this topic, I have to know, is that something you need?” Lhoris asked like it couldn’t wait until I wasn’t in earshot.

“To get along with nobility?”

“Pussy, you dolt!” I had hoped the conversation would embarrass her a little. Maybe stir the pot, not spark a conversation I didn’t want to participate in. “He wants to know if you need pussy to be happy.”

“Oh! Sorry, I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open,” she laughed at herself. “But no, I don’t feel like I’m missing out.”

“Ah, good,” Lhoris said. “I don’t want to share you. Not yet at least.”

“Same,” she agreed.

And then Lhoris moaned.

“Oz, hands!” I blurted. She jerked and held her hand up. “Fucks sake, did you two forget I was here?”

“I wasn’t doing anything,” she protested.

“I wanted to keep you on your toes, brother,” Lhoris said, rising to one elbow to give me a disapproving look. “So you don’t get too caught up in your own memories.”

“Fucker,” I mumbled. “Thank you.”

“I love you too,” he said and settled back down.

“So wait, is that why they think you’re a man? Because you’ve been deflowering virgins?” I asked.

“I never damaged a petal,” Oz clarified. “No, they just don’t believe a woman can do the job. Simple as that. It’s how I get the it done, really.”

“We knocked up the local folk hero,” I sighed.

“So it seems,” Lhoris agreed. “We could have done worse.”

CHAPTER 25

OZANNA

We arrived back at Chateau de Bergellon in the afternoon. The sun was high as we rode up the winding path to the open gate welcoming us home. The guards called out as we approached to, presumably, the staff within the curtain walls. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying and exchanged nervous glances with Lhoris and Lobikno. I was almost certain we had nothing to worry about, but I knew my love and his brother were concerned about their welcome being rescinded.

Oshruli looked a little overwhelmed by the chateau. It was likely the largest building he’d ever seen, and I worried that maybe the sunlight was making it hard for him to see it well; that perhaps it was frightening him. He clung to his father and glanced at me with wide garnet eyes. I couldn’t offer him words of comfort, so I smiled at him and told Lhoris he might want to reassure the boy.

Lhoris’ face was gentle while he spoke to Oshruli. I was starting to pick up on more elvish words after having been somewhat immersed, but I couldn’t understand what he said. Oshruli smiled at Lhoris and buried his face in the crook of Lobikno’s neck.

“What did you tell him?”

“That it’s our new home. That there are good people here who will care about him. That I can tell him all about it after we get some food and rest,” Lhoris with a gentle smile.

Emma, Nicolas, Eve, and Judith met us at the gate. They and the rest of people milling about the courtyard cheered to see us. Lhoris and Lobikno looked unsure of how to react. Oshruli’s eyes almost bugged out of his head, startled by the unexpected noise.

“Wave at them, my love,” I said and lifted a hand to do just that. Lhoris gave me a lopsided grin and waved at our friends.

I hopped off the horse and went to retrieve Oshruli. Lobikno tried to detach the child, but he held tight. So, he attempted to soothe Oshruli with gentle words. The frightened boy eventually relented and buried himself in the crook of my neck instead. His little heart raced frantically. “It’s okay, sweet boy,” I cooed and gently rubbed his fluffy hair with my fingertips.

Emma and Eve could hardly contain their excitement at the sight of the beautiful child, oohing and aahing in high voices.

“He’s very nervous,” I warned them. “He’s probably tired and hungry right now.”

Judith spoke up. “To the kitchen with you all,” she ordered. “Growing children need food!” Even Nicolas followed, somewhat bemused as she herded the whole lot of us down to the kitchens.

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