Page 160 of Kingdoms of Night

“No,” he said. “Because it means you want to hear me talk. You’re one of the few who does.”

“I love hearing you talk.”

“Really?” He grinned wickedly. “Because I was thinking I’d like to do something else to you tonight… that would make talking difficult.”

She lifted her chin even as the heat rose to her cheeks. This time she didn’t fight it. If he saw her blush, so be it. “Just because you’re good at that doesn’t mean I don’t like hearing you talk.”

“Yes, for some reason, you think I’m intelligent.” He rolled his eyes playfully. “On that, I think you’re completely wrong. But I’ll do my best not to let you down.” Leaning over, he planted a kiss on her neck. “You smell like a vanilla caramel.”

“A vanilla caramel?” She laughed as he rubbed his jaw against the sensitive curve of her neck.

“It’s a sort of confection where I’m from. Caramelized sugar flavored with vanilla bean.”

“So I smell like a confection?” She laughed.

“The best that has ever existed.” He kissed the dip of her neck.

She sniffed her wrist again. “I get the vanilla. But caramelized sugar?”

He grinned, his expression almost sheepish.

“You can tell it’s caramelized sugar?” She traced a finger down his chest. “Another thing you are very good at.”

“And kissing?” He drew a line with his nose down her throat and then began kissing his way back up.

Giggling, she wriggled at the pleasant sensation. “Obviously.”

The door slammed open, the dresser flying across the room with the force of the blow.

Oberon, the fae with the smoke-like wings, stood in the doorway, glowering. “What is this about?” he demanded. “What are you two doing here and how did you get here?”

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

IDALNO

Feron shielded her with his body. “Well—”

Idalno grabbed for her dress and snatched it to her chest. The luxurious haze of orgasmic bliss receded. How had this fae gotten in? He’d thrown the door open as if there had been nothing against it!

“‘Well’ is not an answer,” Oberon responded, crossing his arms as he glared at them. “I don’t know what you thought was going to happen here, but I am the master of this castle and indeed this kingdom and most of this world. So get your clothes or don’t. Just get out. I’ve had quite enough today.”

Rapid footsteps sounded outside the door. Puck appeared behind him, this time with magenta and turquoise streaks in his hair and wearing turquoise garments of an almost identical cut to Oberon’s. The similarity in their features was even more apparent, though Puck was a few inches shorter and of slighter build than Oberon.

For the first time, Puck appeared hesitant. He cleared his throat, his hands knotted against one another. He’d gone quite pale against the rich turquoise of his velvet jacket. Even the spark in his eyes and tattoos had dimmed.

“Explain,” Oberon said, sharper this time. “Have you committed these knaveries willfully? And don’t you dare claim that these mortals are delightful fools. My patience with you grows thin. I will have neither excuses nor distractions. Only the truth.”

“I have no excuse to give this time. I found a way to bring people from other realms here.” He worked his hands together, his gaze fixed on the imposing fae. “Good people. Fun and interesting people. People who make the time pass better. And I’ve been finding matches and bonding them if possible. If a match doesn’t work, then maybe—It isn’t so lonely now, is it? And some of them might have answers.”

Oberon’s sharp eyes narrowed as he studied his son. “You know what’s happening to this world, and you’re bringing people here?”

Idalno cringed inwardly as she slipped into the dress. Maybe having a father who never showed any interest was better than having one who looked at you with such sharp disappointment.

Puck shrugged and gestured toward them. “They’re clever people. Someone will have answers to our problems eventually.”

“If you’re going to bring people into this collapsing bubble of a realm,youshould have the answers. You were taught better than this. Yes, here we eat, drink, and make merry because tomorrow we may die. But no more should be here to perish than must be. There is no purpose in it. No value. If these people are good and fascinating people, how could you condemn them?”

“Is it condemnation if you find your truest love? To have that, wouldn’t it be worth a far shorter life simply for the richness it brings?”

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