Page 78 of The Blood Crown

“Ours,” she replied, pulling his face down to hers with a contented smile.

“Our bookshelves,” he murmured against her mouth, “ourbed.” He glanced toward the crackling fire and the piled rug before it. “Ourrug . . .” he whispered wickedly, sending a lick of heat down her spine at the insinuation in his voice.

Her stomach grumbled an interruption, making her wonder exactly how long they’d been in that cave—the mere thought making a blush rise into her cheeks as she turned to Ven. “I’ll find some food for us.” It was the least she could do after everything he’d done for her.

She started for the door, meaning to finally meet the impeccable cooks in this place and learn her way around the fortress to the kitchens.

She meant to stay here—to make this place her home. And fully settling in meant finding where the stash of rich coffee and loaves of crusty brown bread were kept, and who to make friends with here to make certain that she had a steady supply of both.

“Stay,” Ven growled in response, "here." Wrapping one arm behind her knees and the other around her waist, he scooped her up, eliciting an undignified squeak from her. “I’llfind us some food,” he added, gently plopping her back into her chair as he opened the door.

“Am I that untrustworthy?” she laughed.

“I wouldn’t expect you to understand,” he kissed her gently on the cheek, “but feeding you—after,” a faint blush spread across his golden skin, “is an instinct I can’t ignore.”

“Can’t you just snap your fingers?” she challenged.

“I can’t explain it—" he argued, his lips finding her throat, "but I need to make you the plate of food myself." His breath hot against her already fevered skin. "Feed you—myself.”

“Is this some claimed male nonsense?” she asked, breathless from at the unfettered attention he lavished on her.

“Something like that.” He smiled softly. “Just—promise me you won’t leave these rooms.” He brushed a final kiss across her hand. “Please.”

The door creaked and applause broke out.

“Finally!” came the thunderous reply as Aurelia whirled to face the open door behind them.

Karro’s grin was one of pure joy as he barreled into the room, crushing Ven into a hug before Embra squeezed behind him, a whirlwind of emerald and celedon, sweeping Aurelia into an embrace.

The others at least had the shame topretendthey hadn’t been listening as they sheepishly entered the room to offer their congratulations.

Eavesdroppers—the lot of them.

A blush stained her cheeks as Asher appeared next to Seth, a smile of approval on his face as his green eyes met hers from the doorway.

Seth elbowed Nira, a conceited smirk tugging at his lips as his twin begrudgingly placed a gold coin in his outstretched hand.

“Shameless,” she laughed, earning a grin from the Wraith as he palmed his winnings.

It wasn’t long before Ven returned with a small feast fit for six and laid it on the low table between them.

They’d been left alone after Nira finally managed to chase everyone off, and she sat across from Ven in the well-worn chairs, enjoying the warmth of the hearth now crackling with a roaring fire.

In her darkest moments, she’d wondered if she would ever see this place again. Ever read the books here or drink a cupof coffee before the fire. And now that they were back—she wouldn’t waste a second of it.

Her stomach grumbled louder this time in response to the delicious aroma. Crispy browned chicken and the pot roast that she had come to miss since she’d left this place. Buttery green beans and thick slices of bread.

She tucked into the food greedily. She’d grown so lean and weak over the last month that all she wanted was to feel full again. She planned to be back on the Ledge tomorrow, training and trying to regain some of the strength she’d lost since she’d left.

Her mouth full already, she glanced up, catching the satisfied smirk on Ven’s face as he watched her eat.

“What?” she rolled her eyes, taking another bite of mashed potatoes drowning in dark brown gravy.

“Nothing—” he chuckled, taking a healthy sip of the wine in his hand. “I’m just a little envious of the food for putting that look on your face.”

She threw her napkin at him, but it did nothing to stop the flood of heat to her body.

If he kept looking at her like that they’d never finish their meal.

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