Page 27 of This Midsummer Heart
“Elven spirits are so much more liberating than faerie wine,” Auberon continues.
My stomach sinks. I do not like the smug tone of his voice one bit.
“You weremuchmore forthcoming. One might say you were spilling your closest guarded secrets.”
I cross my arms, defiant. “I have no dark secrets.”
“Dark? No. They were rather sweet.”
My eyes widen. “What did I say?”
“You told me you missed me.”
My mouth drops open in shock.
Chapter fourteen
Strong Spirits
Auberon
Shetoldmenosuch thing.
The moon elves were gracious hosts as always, which included healing me far better than the humans, followed by a proper feast with music, during which they offered their best spirits. Apparently, Titaine didn’t remember there was a reason she always refused to drink fermented elven beverages. Two small glasses, and her wings were drooping and she was practically slumped over the table.
I was a perfect gentleman, of course, and immediately escorted her to her room. There was one rather large problem with that, however.
It was also my room. Being that the elves still considered us married and we’d made no special requests for an additional room—or at least I did not, when I could have—we were given a single room atop the winding stair to the boughs, with a tester bed made with coiling iron designs that mimicked leafy vines. Complete with a burning hearth—for Nerania Wood had a terrible chill at night, thanks to its changes—it was all very cozy.
I deposited Titaine onto the bed, removed her slippers and got her settled beneath the covers. I took a moment to place a pillow for myself at the foot of the bed, then returned to the supper Daegris had ordered for us. There, I continued to enjoy the moon elves milky white liquor, and had a long talk with Daegris.
The truth was, I hadn’t wanted a separate room from Titaine. I didn’t trust this Wood any longer. After nearly watching one of those flames engulf her, I knew I would rest easier knowing she was close by—for both our sakes. My conversation with Daegris only confirmed what I already sensed.
Besides, keeping her safe was practical.
For reasons I couldn’t fathom, it was clear Titaine had barely lost any of her magic. I needed her to get to Nox. And since there was a distinct possibility I’d get to that city with not a coin to my name and not an ounce of power—magical or political—it wouldn’t do to get on the wrong side of the fetes. Fae. Whatever.
But as I’d undressed, hung my chain mail and then began to clean my shirt in the wash basin on the provided toilet table, Titaine had stirred.
“What are you doing?” she demanded. “Put your shirt back on.”
“Until Daegris finds something that will fit me, it’s the only shirt I have,” I replied smoothly. Unlike Titaine, I knew how to handle my spirits. “This one is in dire need of a wash. So no, I won’t be wearing a wet shirt to bed.”
“This isn’t your room,” she said, glancing around, still bleary eyed.
“It’s our room, actually. The same one they gave us years ago. Sweet that they remembered, isn’t it? As I told you, they still consider us married here.”
Her eyes were little more than slits. “Fine. You can sleep on the floor.”
“That’s a giant bed. You won’t even notice me.”
Titaine let out a braying laugh that brought the little trick Robin had helped me play on her years ago to mind. “Of course I’d notice you. You’re very noticeable.”
“Titaine,” I said, enjoying this far too much as I turned to face her fully, sure to draw myself up to full height and contract my abdominal muscles for optimum viewing, “are you saying you find me too handsome to resist?”
“Too something, alright.” She lost her battle to stay upright just then and flopped back to the pillow, her eyes falling shut. “Problems not with your looks. Just—sonality.”
“Oh?” I returned to laundering my shirt. “What about my personality is the problem?”
