Page 77 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Casimir tilted his head, eyeing my hand on Azulin’s forearm before nodding. Then turning toward the house, he motioned toward the center doors that opened into what appeared to be a conservatory.

“Enter through there. Illeron will meet you in the main foyer beyond. He’ll want details, so get your story straight before you arrive.” Then with a sharp bow, Casimir disappeared into the shadows with a breeze of cool magic.

“Where is he going?” I asked, stepping closer to Azulin.

“Probably to announce us to Illeron and then gather searchers among the shadow elves.”

“Because you are allies?” I asked, watching the shadows we passed and looking for movement in their depths.

“Officially, yes, we are allies. Unofficially, the instantaneous response is because Illeron and I are friends.”

We followed the path in silence for a time. Azulin didn’t relinquish my hand. Even when we reached the conservatory doors, he chose to use his free hand to open the door and maneuver me through the opening first.

Together, we stepped into the moist warmth of a sauna filled with the earthy scent of life and growing things. The massive space completely enclosed a mature, thriving tree. Thick foliage filled the room above us, while the sparsely tiled floor accommodated a twisted mess of roots and patches of gravel.

“Separation anxiety already?” Illeron asked. He stood on the other side of the tree, holding open a thick wooden door. Even dressed in fighting leathers with his caramel curls mussed, he managed to exude elegant confidence and power. As a species, elves tended toward height and a calm, distant demeanor.

Azulin grimaced. “Casimir updated you, I hope.”

“No details. Just the bare basics,” Illeron replied as he motioned us through the doorway into an elegant foyer that rose to include a second story. “Have you eaten your evening meal?”

I shook my head even as my stomach rumbled.

Illeron’s face relaxed into an amused grin. “I will interpret that as an emphatic negative.” With a generous wave of his arm, he indicated we were to keep walking. “Avril is in the kitchen. Waldorf has been making more food than we can consume these days, so I’m certain there will be plenty for both of you. Even if he hasn’t prepared enough, we can ask him to make more.”

“We don’t want to be a bother,” I protested.

“Indeed, we do.” Azulin gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “We need assistance. Besides, if Waldorf is making too much for the two of them to eat, Illeron isn’t exaggerating. In fact, the last time his cook did this—” Azulin’s eyes widened before he whirled around and narrowed his gaze at Illeron. “Is Avril increasing again?”

Illeron laughed. “She is. We had a wager about how long it would take you to notice.” He smirked. “I lost.” He led us through a wide doorway with a swinging door and into a bright, open space filled with the sounds of cooking.

“Lost what?” A pretty redheaded woman dressed in leggings and leathers scooted off the stool by the counter. A long, thick braid swung around her shoulders as she came to greet us. She flashed Azulin a friendly smile and then prodded her husband. “What did you lose?”

“Our bet.” Illeron caught his wife’s hand when she went in to prod him again. A glitter of amusement lit his green-silver eyes, bringing out the silver. With a flirtatious smile, he wound his wife into his embrace and planted a kiss on her temple.

“Oooh! I knew he’d notice far sooner than you believed. The official announcements will be made next week.” She winked at Illeron. “I expect those foot rubs to start tonight, understood?”

He answered her with another long kiss before he turned her to face us. “Az brought a friend.”

Extracting herself from Illeron’s embrace, the woman bowed to my husband. “Good to see you, Az.”

Azulin nodded. “You as well. I hope this pregnancy is proceeding smoothly.”

“The easiest one yet. Illeron is fussing over me like a mother hen and irritating Merlon with his demands, but otherwise everything has been uneventful.” She smiled at me. “Who is your friend?”

Azulin turned to me with a warm smile. “This is my wife, Callie. Callie, this is Illeron’s wife, Lady Avril.”

“Just Avril,” she insisted. Then glancing between Azulin and me, she asked, “When did the wedding happen?”

“Last week.” Azulin threaded his fingers through mine.

I leaned against him, exhausted. So much had happened since then.

“I promised them food.” Illeron maneuvered his wife toward the counter where a brownie was industriously rearranging platters to make room for two additional place settings. Illerongestured to the counter and said, “Sit, eat, and then fill us both in on what has passed since we last spoke.”

∞∞∞

Azulin

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