Page 130 of Song of Her Siren

She refused to answer as she set out platters of food on the table.

“She’s upset because her brothers and papa went fishing,” Aurora whispered rather loudly, “and now they can’t find their way back.”

“They have been gone a long time because there’s no more fish here,” Ember whispered.

“Oh?” And the young shifter was taking it out on me. I should’ve expected this. Never mind that I was trying to protect the town from being eaten by demon spiders.

“Papa Finn and Uncle Helian explained to everyone that you were protecting them,” Ember said while combing out her doll’s silky curls with her fingers, “but they’re still mad that you hid their town. They say the traders can’t find them.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell them the spiders probably ate all the traders. I schooled my face into a mask of indifference. “They’ll thank me later.”

Bridget gave me a sharp look but didn’t say anything as she stormed out of the room. My girls jumped from the bed, chasing after Bridget while begging her to wait for them.

Finn poked his head inside the room, his sharp shifter eyes focused on me. “Hey.”

I bit my lip, then patted the warm blankets beside me. “Hey.”

He crawled onto the blankets, a mixture of emotions, from desire to concern, swirling in his silvery eyes. “How do you feel?”

“Rested,” I said on a sigh when he pulled me into his lap. I draped my arms over his shoulders, looking into his eyes. “So the town hates me now?”

His brows drew together as he rubbed warmth into my shoulders. “They don’t hate you.”

I wasn’t convinced. “They need to understand I did it for their protection.”

“Most do.” He shrugged. “Only a few are upset.”

“Yeah, like the shifters who handled my food.” I wondered how much spit was in the soup.

“The food’s fine. I watched them prepare it,” Finn said with a wink while tapping his nose. “Besides, I’d smell if they put anything foul in it.”

That was good to know. And it smelled heavenly.

When a moan sounded from the bed, I struggled to stand. “I need to heal Nikkos.”

“He’s stable,” he said, motioning toward the small table laden with food. “No magic until you get some nourishment.”

He led me to the table and pulled out my chair. The girls came in, and Finn and I helped serve them. I was surprised and delighted to see four bowl-shaped loaves of bread with creamy soup inside each one.

“These look better than tarts!” Aurora exclaimed.

“We must ask Cook to make us these,” Ember added.

By Cook, I knew they meant the chef who worked at Abyssus. I wondered if my children expected to live there after this war. I hoped not. They’d be sorely disappointed, though I was certain we’d make arrangements for them to visit frequently.

The soup had no meat, only vegetables, a result of the dragons eating all the town’s fish and game. The dragons needed to return to Peloponese, though I worried they’d continue to overstay their welcome unless Helian intervened.

By the time we finished our food, I was feeling much stronger. Finn leaned back in his chair while flexing his muscular, tanned arms covered with tribal tattoos. He was so incredibly sexy with his messy mop of hair and those dimpled cheeks. Though his body was as hard as granite, inside he was as soft as uncooked bread. I missed his sweet smile and unwavering loyalty. I also missed his gentle touch when we made love. It had been a week since he’d taken me to bed, but it felt like I’d been waiting a lifetime. If the girls and Nikkos weren’t in the room, I would’ve pushed him back onto the fur rug and had my way with him.

Finn loudly cleared his throat, and I blushed when I caught his fiery gaze.What are you thinking?His deep rumble echoed in my mind.

I licked my lips as a dull ache pulsed between my thighs.You know.

I wish I could get you alone.

I sighed aloud.You and me both.

Later, he said on a rumble while pushing away from the table.Helian will watch the girls, and I don’t give a damn who protests.

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