Page 62 of My Salvation

He looked around. “How is little Creelee?”

Izzy sighed, looking sad. “He’s been helping to take care of Meryn’s sprites, Felix, Feris, and Finley. He isn’t as affected by the cold as they are, so he’s been making sure they have plenty of food and blankets in their tiny house.”

Meryn sniffed. “I miss my lil guys, but they’re safer by the warming stone Zoe made.” She eyed the large animal that was dripping blood on the floor and brightened a bit. “Heck yeah! I haven’t had boar since my visit. I bet Creelee would like some of this.”

Gilheim frowned. “Does your mate not hunt for you?”

Meryn thought it over a moment. “He orders me brownies.”

Gilheim looked over to where the men sat as if evaluating each individual. “Ah. I see.” He smiled down at Meryn. “I will hunt for you so that you and your child will stay healthy.”

“Now, wait a damn minute,” Aiden said, standing quickly.

All the men present bristled at the unsaid implications.

Oron looked down at his mate. “That’s the goblin you met when you snuck off to the Dark Forest?”

Izzy chuckled nervously. “Yeah, neat, huh?”

Cas whirled to face Izzy. “He’s a goblin?” She was raised in Éire Danu and never thought of going to the Dark Forest. Looks like she had missed out.

Meryn nodded at the question. “I know, right?

Aiden went to his mate and pulled her next to him. “I can hunt for my mate.”

Gilheim tilted his head. “But do you?” The goblin then nodded sagely. “It is wise to know one’s limitations. There is no shame in not being able to hunt. That is why most villages have hunters. I will help feed Eamon’s daughter as I am a hunter for my people.”

Aiden sputtered, unable to form words.

Meryn shook her head. “I’ve been miserable eating fruit.”

Gilheim looked concerned. “With the colder weather, you will need a good fatty piece of pork to keep you warm.” He looked around the room. When he saw the queen sitting with her crown, he asked. “Ms. Queen, have the fae forgotten how to be cold?”

The queen blinked, then blushed, having been caught staring as well. “It has been a long time for us. Do your people remember?”

Gilheim nodded. “Yes, from the stories passed on to each generation.” He pointed to his pants. “My friend made me these. Her family remembered how to use the fur of the animal to make clothing. It is much warmer than a loincloth.”

“He had a loincloth,” Amelia choked out the question.

Izzy sighed. “Oh yeah.”

“Is-a-belle,” Oron ground out each syllable.

Meryn looked over to Cord. “Cord, what do we do with my boar?”

Cord was already rolling up his sleeves. “It’s been a few decades, but I can butcher this with no problems.”

“Yes! Can we grill it?”

“Grill, sauté, or even fry,” Cord assured her with certainty. “I seem to recall someone wanting pork belly tacos.”

Meryn nodded enthusiastically, then looked up at her tall friend. “You didn’t have to come all this way to bring me a boar.”

Gilheim ruffled her hair. “I was sent here by my village elder. The boar was a happy coincidence.” He looked around. “Which one of you leads the fae warriors?”

Aiden cleared his throat. “That would be me.”

Gilheim nodded. “If you hunt the foul ones, then maybe you do not have the time to feed your mate.” He shook his head. “You should still find a way to provide her with meat, though.”

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