Page 98 of Fated or Knot

“Well, what now?” the dark elf asked when we eventually parted for air. He had a smug look after I marked him with a rub of my cheek under his jaw. “My brother mentioned that you wanted to see the palace. Though, I must say, I’d rather see where this is going.”

“No fucking in the library nest. It’s one of the rules,” Marius said, going straight back to his grumpy voice.

Fal shook his head with a bemused look. “And this is the real reason I never visit the book nerd loft,” he whispered to me.

I giggled. “I do want to see the palace. Actually, I should visit Thalas today at some point.”

“All right. We’ll visit him, eat dinner, and retire to your nest tonight, then,” he remarked. He marked me back, pressing the points of his fangs to dimple my neck until I whimpered and felt my legs weaken. Those catlike eyes flashed over at Marius in challenge before Fal pulled away and adjusted his clothes. “Great plan. Glad you thought of it.”

It took the rest of the afternoon to descend the library tower and make our way to Thalas’s workshop. It was in another added wing close to the royal wing, where my rooms where. I ended up in a seat on the first floor while Thalas ran a few tests on me and inspected one of my wing scales.

Fal idly played with a potentially priceless magical tool he’d found on the ground while Marius stood just behind my chair and watched Thalas intently, suppressing the occasional growl while he poked and prodded.

Eventually, he was satisfied. “Your wings should start glowing lavender shortly,” he informed me.

“Not a darker purple?” I asked, surprised. My wings has been more of an indigo as a kid.

“The scales seem like they’re growing in half purple and half silver. There’s an iridescence that suggests…hmm.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Could you do this for me?” He swirled his hand in a classic essence spinner gesture, summoning a coil of black magic studded with stars.

I did the same and nearly fell out of my seat with a yelp when out of my palm whirled familiar white and silver magic in chaotic threads. Kauz’s essence.

Thalas adjusted his glasses. “Oh, fascinating,” he murmured.

“What was that?” I asked breathlessly.

“Nothing to worry about. A temporary effect, I believe.” Though as he spoke, he took frantic notes at a nearby table. “My son dumped just about every ounce of his essence into you during theolcanusremoval. It was necessary, as you bled out of your own magic. The lingering essence from him that you’re holding on to as you recover may be affecting the color of your wing scales.”

I glanced back at my wings. They had a thin layer of purple forming on them, something I’d noted with pride today in the mirror. “We could try having you expel his magic to darken your wings to their natural color,” Thalas was saying.

“No, no. It’s fine,” I said quickly. Maybe it was temporary, but I wanted that sign of Kauz’s influence on me. He’d saved my life and made sure I would get through every part of the removal process safely.

I loved Kauz, and I wish I’d told him earlier. If he was willing, maybe I could keep the change of color as a sign of affection.

“I just wanted help with learning how to use my magic,” I reminded Thalas.

Though he asserted that was a topic far too complex to broach in a quick visit, he walked me through the basics of dream warden magic. I’d need to come back for more serious lessons soon, but dinnertime was approaching, so we agreed to revisit the topic later.

Fal teased me about visiting his dreams tonight on our walk back to the royal wing. He had to assume I wanted to see Kauz, though. The only thing that interrupted him was me when I noticed Tormund waiting for us outside my suite. “Tormund!” I exclaimed.

Such an excited reaction earned me an exuberant hug from the giant, crutches and all. “Sorry I was away today, li’l bird. Work never ends,” he said.

He told me about it after ordering us dinner, including some “raw meat and sadness” for Marius. It seemed Tormund was something of a beast master, overseeing the care of the various creatures that served the palace. And no, I couldn’t go outside and see them until there wasn’t a risk my crutches would slip on some ice or an irregular surface. I was a little disappointed about it but understood.

Dinner was amazing, again. I snuck a curious look over at what the kelpie was having. Itwasmostly raw meat, cubed to bite-sized pieces, and a bone broth he attempted to eat politely, though he caught me looking after he’d cracked open a bone and was feasting on the marrow. I felt a little green about that part.

“It’s a kelpie thing,” he muttered.

“Okay.” I left it at that. I didn’t want him to think I was judging his dietary choices. He must’ve tolerated other—cooked—foods on the train.

We chatted idly until dessert arrived served in a clear glass dish to display several colorful layers. I tried a spoonful and made a sound of delight as the flavors of custard, berries, and cake hit my tongue. Stars, that was incredible. I went for anotherbite and realized that all three alphas had stilled and turned to stare at me.

I covered my lips with the spoon. “Sorry,” I practically yelped.

“If you wouldn’t be sick of it fast, I’d get you a berry trifle every night,” Fal remarked. “Don’t mind us. Just enjoy it.”

It must be an alpha thing.

Eating helped me hide my amusement when the males switched languages and brainstormed other trifle-like desserts to have served to me next. They could all be super sweet sometimes, though I missed Kauz, who’d undoubtedly just ask me what I liked best.

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