Page 40 of The King of Frost and Shadows

Then the bedroom door burst open.

Tavish and I jumped awake and turned toward the door to discover the worst person in the world standing there, mouth gaping open.

13

LIRA

Tavish gasped and lunged away from the pillows, back to his side. His wings spread out, and the edges brushed my arm due to their massive size.

“Aw.” Finnian placed a hand on his chest while his other arm remained at his side with some sort of clothing. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your cuddle time.” He gestured to the closed door behind him. “Should I come back later so you two can finish up?” He waggled his brows.

My face heated, and Tavish froze like he might have turned into a statue.

Finnian smirked and turned toward the door. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He paused with his hand hovering over the doorknob. “Maybe there needs to be a sign for when you two don’t want to be interrupted. Torcall or Finola could inform me that you’re ‘getting prepared for the day.’ Then I’ll know to come back in five minutes … since I’m sure, with Tavish’s history, it shouldn’t take him long to climax.”

Heart skipping a beat, I clung to the last part of the sentence. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but he made itsound like Tavish was either a virgin like me or didn’t have much experience.

“Blasted abyss.” Tavish shot upright. “Don’t youdareleave. Nothing like that was happening.”

“Oh … so you’re a cuddler.” Finnian pivoted to face us again and leaned against the door. “You know, I never expected you to be that way, but now that I ponder your actions here lately, it makes sense.”

Tavish’s eyes widened, and his jaw clenched. “I’m not acuddler. You know better than that.”

“So you weren’t trying to have sex with her, nor were you cuddling with her?” Finnian scratched his head. “What exactly were youdoingwith her?”

“Sleeping,”Tavish answered but closed his mouth like he should’ve known better than to say anything.

If I thought I’d seen Finnian smile before, I’d been so wrong. For Unseelie, his expression turned very bright … almost on par with the sun. “Clearly. You didn’t think that through, did you? I love seeing the noncalculating side of you. Still, anyone could’ve walked in here. You’re lucky it was me and that I like the Seelie princess.”

I snorted darkly. “Oh yeah. I’m sure you do. You threw me under the bus at dinner the other night when Eldrin didn’t want me to be treated like a guest.”

“Threw you under abus?” His forehead wrinkled. “I most definitely did not throw you, and I’m not sure what a bus is.”

Damn the cultural differences in our languages. I supposed I was fortunate enough that they spoke English, so I could understand and communicate with them …sort of.“You told Tavish to treat me more like a prisoner, so I’m having a hard time believing that youlikeme.”

“That’s a bus?” He shook his head, but before I couldcorrect him, he continued, “And though I may like you, my loyalties lie with Tavish. I said all that for his benefit because he’s my closest friend and king.”

Unfortunately, that made me fonder of the charismatic Finnian. Still, he’d made one thing very clear. He would do what was best for Tavish and not me, and even though I wished he was more empathetic with my plight, I understood what to expect from him.

“Why are you here, and why can’t you knock like everyone else before entering my room?” Tavish tossed the comforter off, threw his feet over the side of the bed, and stood.

Drool puddled in my mouth as his messy hair framed his face and the dark scruff on his jaw made him look more rugged. Through his thin shirt, his muscles were pronounced, and I wanted to trail my fingers over every curve.

I needed a very cold bath … pronto.

“You were supposed to join us for breakfast ten minutes ago, and Eldrin is upset. I figured you’d rather I come get you instead of him.” He arched a brow. “And I believed you would be walking out the door. I hadn’t expected to come in and find you still in bed … withLira.”

Tavish’s face paled even more. “What time is it?”

“Nine fifteen.” Finnian strolled to the end of the bed. “Which is unheard of for you. You’re normally down there barking orders by eight on a late day.”

“I don’t know how I overslept.” Tavish marched toward the bathroom. “I will change and come down.”

Finnian’s gaze landed firmly on me, and the corners of his mouth lifted. “You comfy in that bed?”

As a matter of fact, I was, but I refused to admit it to the pompous ass. I tried not to scowl as I climbed out, my feettouching the cool floor. I doubted Tavish would let me sleep with him again, especially after the cuddle mishap and Finnian walking in on us. Oh well, maybe I could sneak back in for a nap after the two of them left. They’d be none the wiser.

He snickered and strolled over to me, dropping a pair of pants and tunic on the bed. He then turned his palm over and opened his hand, revealing two mushrooms nestled there.

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