Page 61 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

“But?”

“We formed a bond somehow, but it wasn’t a blood oath. I don’t know what that means now, and it’s for life,Corvo. I should have thought about it more. Considered all the outcomes.”

“It could be worse. It’s not like it’s marriage. That would be the worst.”

“I feel like you have your priorities backwards.”

“No, my priorities are food and a good place to nap. My priorities are exactly where they need to be. Maybe you should think more about food and a place to nap.”

My stomach growled as though it had heard him and wanted to be part of the conversation.

“I don’t know why I’m talking to you.” I scrubbed my hands down my face.

“Because I’m pretty good at being the voice of reason,” he said, reaching his paw out to gently touch my arm. “You’re overthinking this. Trust me. The two of you have been dreaming about each other for years. If you think about it, you’re both already bound to each other somehow. Almost like mates, you know, if they still existed.”

I tilted my head toward him with an incredulous look. “You’re hyper-focused on mates, you know that?”

“Maybe you’re not focused enough,” he huffed.

“But I can see where your logic is coming from,” I continued, ignoring his last comment. “There’s something that has connected us already, and even if I don’t know what it is that I’ve agreed to, I know Vareck wouldn’t abuse it. Maybe that’s why it didn’t scare me as much at first. I’m just not usually one to make rash decisions so quickly. That’s more Sadie’s thing. I like to think about my options.”

“And yet, here we are. You trusted your gut, then got cold feet after.”

I sat up, eyes narrowing on him. “You make me sound fickle.”

He yawned, stretchinghis mouth and showing his teeth. “Look, either you trust him, or you don’t. Either way it’s too late, but if you claim he wouldn’t abuse it, maybe you should believe that and stop worrying.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. “You’re right.”

“Of course I am. No need to sound so surprised. Now that my work is done, I’m going to take a nap. My belly has expanded, and the food coma is taking over.”

I scratched him behind the ear while he laid his head down. The soft vibrations of his purr changed to rhythmic breathing, his sides rising and falling.

“Wish I could fall asleep that fast.” I leaned back, trying and failing to relax enough for sleep. I let out a huff and got to my feet, quickly shoving my feet back in my boots and lacing them. Vareck said he would do some research about what kind of oath we made. If cleaning didn’t help me chill out, and sleep was out of the question, I might as well help him.

The door creaked open. Two brownie servants entered, pushing a cart with a large sterling silver dome. My hand instinctively reached for the spot on my leg where my dagger would normally rest, even though it wasn’t there and hadn’t been for some time now.

What surprised me was the servants’ failure to knock. All the other attendants had done so. The only ones who usually entered unannounced were Vareck, Kaia, and Corvo. I glanced between the two nervously, unsure what to make of them.

“Hello, dearie! We didn’t mean to startle you. Hope you’re hungry,” the first brownie said, her simple gray dress fitting her form, black buttons running down the sides, and an apron tied around her waist.

“I’m supposed to be having dinner with Vareck.”

“Right you are. The king sent us ahead and said to notwait for him but that he’d be back soon,” the other brownie said, his outfit similar with gray slacks, a matching vest, and a white dress shirt. They were only slightly shorter than me, and without the clothes, it would be hard to tell them apart. They lookedexactlyalike, down to every crease and wrinkle and beauty mark. I’d never seen anything like it before. They must have seen the confusion on my face.

“We’re twins. I’m Gertrude, and this is my brother, Gin.” The girl had brown pigtails that bounced as she spoke, while her brother was more put-together, stoic, his short brown hair neatly cut, gloves covering his hands.

“Hi,” I said, smoothing out my cardigan, feeling a bit more at ease at their introductions, though servants didn’t usually come in and start chatting with me. I walked over to the table and took my seat. “I’m Meera.”

“We know. You’re the pretty fae woman His Majesty has taken a liking to.” Gertrude laughed, pressing her hand to her chest as Gin removed the silver dome. The heavenly scent made my stomach riot, eclipsing any embarrassment I might have felt about her comment. Gin decorated the table with bowls of stew and silvery cutlery. Gertrude walked around the cart, filling two goblets of wine, handing one to me directly.

“Thank you,” I mumbled. The smell of root vegetables and herbs filled my nose, and I noticed the slightest hint of a new herb I couldn’t place.

With the food laid out, the twins stood back on either side of the table, giving me a small bow. “We hope you enjoy your meal,” they said in unison.

“I—yeah, thanks.” I wrapped my fingers around the wine goblet. The twins smiled back, their hands resting in front of them. The odd thing was they kept standing there. Staring. Waiting. What did they want me to do? Were theywaiting for me to eat? Did Vareck tell them to keep me company until he got here? “This is all very kind,” I said, breaking the silence.

“Of course,” Gertrude replied, her tone still perky.

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