Page 73 of Swords and Curses

"I can't wait for this to all be over," Balthasar said, his arm looping around her waist. "I want my house back to being pleasantly empty."

"I'm happy that everything went well last night. No faerie attacks, no betraying Gam, no blood," Rosa replied and then frowned. "Actually, I can't verify that… I hope Nimue didn't kill Eldon."

"You worry about him far too much."

"And you don't worry about Saul? Or Eli? Or any of us?" Rosa poked him in the chest. "Maybe it's you rubbing off on me." She flushed when Balthasar's smile went crooked. "That's not what I meant."

"He is a big, wild Welshman. He can take care of himself. He should know by now how to get his own feet out of his mouth."

"They are going to kill each other if they don't get it together soon…speak of the Welshman," Rosa said as laughter echoed outside.

There was a commotion at the back door before Nimue came inside.

"Oh, Rosa! We didn't think anyone would be awake yet," she said, her cheeks flushed with the cold.

"I'm starting to think you live in this kitchen, Wylt."

Rosa opened her mouth to give a snappy retort when she saw his face and paused. Something had changed. He looked different. He was Eldon shaped, but he was also something infinitelymore.

"Kitchens are the heart of the house, Merlin. I was about to make some toast if you want some," Rosa offered.

"Yes please," Nimue said as she sat opposite Balthasar on the breakfast bar. "I feel like I could eat a heifer." Balthasar and Rosa shared a look.

They've totally had sex. Act natural!Rosa's eyes told him.

I am acting natural. You aren't. Stop being so nosy,Balthasar replied. Rosa hurried into the walk-in pantry to hunt bread.

"Is there any blackberry jam in here?" Merlin came in behind her and began searching the shelves.

"You are looking…different," she said tactfully. "Something happen last night?"

"Subtle as a brick you are." His amber eyes slid sideways to her. "There was no reason to keep pretending to be Eldon Blaise when it's safe enough to be Merlin again. I am myself once more."

"Glad to hear it." Rosa nodded with approval knowing she would pinch herself inwardly every time she said his name. "And you and Nimue?"

"Made up. A lot."

"I see," Rosa sighed and lifted her hand. "Then I think a Wylt Fist Bump is in order. Don't leave me hanging, cousin."

"You're a weird girl," Merlin said, but he bumped his fist against hers. "You might be the one to drag all of the Vanes into the twenty-first century."

"Yeah, I wouldn't count on that. I still don't know what a YOLO is," she admitted as they went back out, their arms full of condiments and bread.

"Do we know what the plan is for the next few days?" Rosa asked, putting slices in the toaster.

"Same as usual. Training for everyone," Balthasar said.

"We need to keep busy while the kings are plotting." Merlin pulled a face. "I'm sure it won't take long. Zalan's mind was built for tactical warfare. He had us add the extra warding because he has a plan. Didn't you think it was odd that he made it to keep the Seelie in the grounds, but not out?"

"Ihadwondered about that," Balthasar said, rubbing his chin. "I thought it was to protect the humans in the area, but maybe I was wrong."

"He's setting traps. Zalan will give an outrageous plan, Vincenzo will argue, Eli will consider, and it will go round andround until they finally do it," Merlin said, taking out plates and knives. "It's always the same when they are together. Arthur used to say they were like three old witches arguing, and he wasn't wrong." He made the comment flippantly, but Rosa's heart skipped a beat. He never talked about Arthur, not casually, notever. It must've been some fantastic sex to get him in such a good mood.

"I'm glad us younger generation aren't so stubborn." Rosa leaned against him, giving him a half hug.

Nimue and Balthasar both choked on their tea.

"It's all part of our charm," Merlin agreed. "It's good to have another Wylt about this time. They all take themselves far too seriously."

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