Page 284 of Kingdoms of Night

The sound of his boots filled in the gaps of silence as he stormed out of the training room. Geraint knew he’d missed an opportunity at a lesson as he let the doors shut behind him. He could’ve taken the opportunity to teach his charges about dealing with those who were different. Or overcoming adversity. Or even how to show grace in the face of insolence.

But knowing Loren, she would’ve turned any teachable moment into a dirty joke. He couldn’t win. So he was taking his sword and going home. Or rather, back to his rooms where his wife, a lady of the highest caliber, would be waiting for him to do all manner of naughty things with.

“You do realize that if it hadn’t been for me, you two would’ve never met.”

Of course, Loren dogged his steps as he walked away from her. He was a bone, and she was determined to gnaw at him until there was nothing left to bury.

“I’m the reason you were at Gyges’ tournament. I’m the reason you entered the tournament. In a way, I’m the one who set you two up. So you should be congratulating me for my excellent taste in women.”

Geraint rounded on Loren. “You encouraged me to attack her.”

“Well, yeah.” Loren scratched at her brow as though she’d forgotten that little tidbit. “But that was before I got to know her.”

Loren reached up and plucked a purple flower from his hair.

Geraint snatched it out of her fingers. “You still don’t know her.”

“No, but seeing as we’re going to be sisters, I will get to know her. And like you, she’s going to love me, and we’ll be besties.”

Geraint felt a sheen of sweat on his forehead. He was a man in shape, a man in the prime of his life. He’d run miles without showing any signs of exertion. But trying to have a rational conversation with this woman would exhaust the most patient of saints.

“We’re not best friends, Loren.”

“Well, no. You’re not mybestbest friend. I told you when we made our pinky swears that that spot belongs to Nia.”

Loren held out her pinky finger. Geraint wrinkled his nose at the childish gesture, just as he had when she’d offered it and her friendship to him the first time.

“Nia’s my best girl friend. But you’re my best dude bro.” She thrust her pinky at his chest again, but then pulled it back as her face went thoughtful. “Though Nia’s boyfriend Zane is really high up there, too. But, hey, there’s room for more than one.”

Loren looked at him hopefully. Geraint shook his head slowly.

“Of course there is,” he said. “Because we all know you’re not monogamous.”

“Well,” she hedged, “I am kinda dating a guy.”

Geraint wasn’t sure if she’d let his insult roll off her shoulders, or if she purposely misinterpreted his jab so that she could change the subject. Unfortunately, it worked. Camelot was a small town, and gossip about its residents was currency.

“You and the Thunder God are dating?”

“Well, no. Yes. Not exactly.” Loren chewed her lower lip and glanced down at the floor. “I’m kinda seeing Tres Mohandis right now.”

“Tresor Mohandis? Your best friend’s ex-boyfriend?” Geraint snorted, shaking his head again. He shouldn’t be surprised.

“Tres and Nia dated centuries ago.” Loren lifted her head, defiance in that incandescent gaze. “And you know what? She’s not mad at me.”

Loren made a ta-dah motion with her hands, as though she’d just performed a magic trick.

“Nia’s a bigger man than I am, then,” said Geraint.

That fire in her eyes flashed as she balled her fists. She even stomped her foot like an irate toddler. “Come on, G. I’m sorry. I really am.”

“Loren? Do you even know what you did wrong?”

She opened her mouth and closed it. She bit at the inside of her cheek, then at her lower lip. She blinked a couple of times, then closed her eyes, and finally opened them wide. There was still no clue in the orbs.

“You lied.” Geraint counted off on his fingers. “You cheated. You stole.”

“For the greater good.”

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