Page 22 of Fate and Flame
“What?” I asked with a mouthful of food. “No one told me Greeve could cook.”
“Glad I don’t share a wall with Fen.” Kai’s boyish grin made me snort.
“You and me both, brother,” Fen said, entering the room. “For so many reasons.” He kissed my cheek and took a seat while Loti prepared him a dish.
“What’s on the schedule for the day?” Greeve asked.
“I’ve got to check on the males in the lists, and then . . .” He paused as his fire magic wrapped around me. “I’ve got other things in mind.”
“Pervert.” Kai coughed into his hand.
“Entirely,” Fen answered as he laid a hand on my thigh.
“Can we go see your cetani?” I figured I owed Greeve for smuggling me down to see the bitch queen.
He withdrew slightly. “If that’s what you really want to do.”
I thought we might spend the day doing something else, Princess.
Scientific things?
I was thinking maybe a more hands-on approach this time.
I looked at him and bit my lower lip.Were you now?
Tonight, then?he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded.
“Does anyone else feel like we’re missing something here?” Kai asked, shoveling food into his gaping mouth as his eyes shifted between us.
“They are Ameriala,” Loti said as she smiled at Fen.
“Annoying. Riiight.” Kai managed through a mouth full of food.
“No. Ameriala. It means their mating bond is stronger than most. They can speak without words.”
“So that’s what it’s called.” Fen’s eyes lit with delight as his pride seeped into my own. As if it were a competition we had both won without doing a single thing.
“Yes, dear. It is very rare. It comes from old, old magic. I’m not sure there’s a mated couple alive anymore that are Ameriala.”
“Were my mother and father?” Fen asked.
She shook her head and turned away. Fen rarely spoke of his mother, and here in the castle, it must still feel like a fresh wound.
Loti lost her mate a long time ago. I’m sure it’s difficult for her.
I leaned my head on his shoulder. I was sure asking about his mother was still hard for him also.
“How long does it take to get to the draconian village?” I asked, changing the subject.
“About half a day on a fae horse. Maybe a little longer. We could take the standard horses, but it would double the trip through the desert.”
“So, if we leave now and stay for a few hours, we can still be back by tonight?”
“Well, we could take Gaea. Try to feel her out. She could use her magic to bring us back sooner or we could stay a bit longer.”
“I’d like to feel her out,” Kai said, because of course he did.
