Page 20 of Degradation

“My turn,” Darian said. “I know what she likes.”

The dratted man plucked me from his brother’s lap and kissed me soundly. In front of Sarah! And rather than stomping on his foot as I should have, I grabbed his shoulders andlet him.

My lapse in judgment was brief, though, and I shot out of his lap. Liam caught me with one arm and steadied the crock of butter he held in his other hand.

“Breathe, Love,” he said with a kiss to the side of my head. “The more you attempt to act as if you’re not with us, the more they’ll try to prove that you are.”

“And when did you become so wise?” Sarah asked.

“The moment our precious Kellen attempted to unman Edmund for his behavior.”

“That would be a defining moment of awakening, to be sure,” the man said, entering the cottage.

Sarah laughed lightly and handed me a bowl of stew.

“It sounds like you’ve proven you’re right for this lot. Now, don’t be afraid to let the kingdom know it.”

I nodded uncertainly and let Liam lead me back to his place where I sat on his lap and allowed Eadric to feed me while Brandle officially introduced me to Andrew and Sarah.

The couple entertained me with stories of the brothers' antics over the years since they had heard them from Henry whenever he came for supplies. The simple meal passed with laughter and my growing understanding of how loved the brothers were by the couple.

“What do you plan to do now that the spell is broken?” Andrew asked as Sarah cleared away the meal.

“Return to the home that was taken from us,” Brandle said.

Andrew nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. I could feel his worry and his sadness, though.

“Will you stay here tonight?” Sarah asked.

All of them looked at me.

“The decision is not mine to make since I know not how far we are from Adele or what accommodations we might find between here and there.”

“We’ll stay,” Liam said, hugging me from behind.

“Then the cottage is yours. Sarah and I will take the loft with the livestock,” Andrew said.

When I would have protested, Liam gave my arm a quiet squeeze.

“Thank you for your kindness,” Brandle said. “We won’t forget it.”

Left alone in their home, I twisted to look at Liam. “Why didn’t you want me to say something? We should take the loft.”

“No, we shouldn’t.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “You should take their bed and choose who you wish to sleep with you tonight.”

I sputtered. “If you think for even a moment that any of you will bed me in this home, you are very mistaken.”

“We only mean to sleep, Kitten,” Brandle said.

“Though we could easily be convinced otherwise,” Darian said.

Edmund cuffed the back of his head lightly, but I could feel his amusement.

“And can I not find sleep in the loft with the livestock?” I asked.

“Doubtful,” Edmund said. “The straw is itchy and not something you’re used to.”

“Come,” Eadric said, plucking me off Liam’s lap. “It’s best to sleep quickly. Andrew will wake us before dawn to load the wagon.”

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