Page 87 of Changeling
A home this size was never meant to host such a gathering, but we make do. It’s a good thing incubi are cuddly, and Leonas curls up small.
We made sure to invite Remy and Laurence, but Livia would have their heads for abandoning her on the solstice. Besides, it’s so crowded it’s just as well they couldn’t come, though they’ve promised to visit in the spring. By then, we’ll have started a garden. Gratitude is bubbling inside me.
Dominus has done an immaculate job of restoring our old farmhouse to its full glory: new roof, cleaned chimney, repaired siding, polished floors, fresh paint. This is our first chance to show off his progress. The Twig is closed for the solstice, and we thought everyone would enjoy the short trip out of the city and into the crisp country air.
I take a moment to stand back, admiring the crowd, my heart full to bursting. Dominus is chuckling at some story Annais tells, both of them grinning ear to ear.
Rizpah approaches with a plate of honey bread cookies in her outstretched hand, and though I’ve eaten enough for two men of my size already, I give in to temptation and take one.
Or two.
Who’s counting?
“Thank you,” I say to her in Hungarian, which I can finally speak.
“My pleasure.” She pats my cheek.
I’m wearing the original scarf she made for me when I first arrived at The Twig, though now that I’ve known her a while, she’s knit me quite the collection. I love them all, but this cozy colorful scarf is extra special to me.
“You’ve made him so happy,” she says, her voice full of warmth.
I melt a little inside. “Not as happy as he’s made me.”
She shakes her head. “No, he is the lucky one. Believe me.”
I take a big bite of the honey cookie and moan my delight. “You’re an absolute wizard, Rizpah. How do you do it?”
“No magic involved, my dear. Just as much sugar as I can cram in there.”
I bend my head and kiss her cheek.
She hands me the plate. “Take this to Leonas. They’re his favorite, and he could use cheering up.”
“Will do.” I head to where he sits on the wide armrest of a couch full of incubi, one leg tucked beneath the other, a slight scowl etched onto his handsome face.
He casts his shining yellow gaze on me, and his lips curl to a reluctant half smile as he sees the tray of cookies. He touches his fingers to his chest. “Pour moi?”
“Oui, pour vous.” I’m still working on French, but I do love the sound of the words. “Rizpah says they’re your favorite. To be honest, I’m surprised you prefer the cookies over her meat pies.”
He snags a handful of cookies and shrugs. “What can I say? I have a sweet tooth.”
I chuckle at how many he’s taken. “Or several sweet teeth, perhaps?”
“Perhaps.” He stuffs a whole cookie into his mouth and chomps.
I hand the tray off to Danya, who’ll pass it around, and lean in closer to Leonas.
He huffs when my wing touches his shoulder, so prickly. “Get off me, brat.”
I shuffle closer still until our shoulders bump, unfolding my wing to wrap it around him. It’s wonderful to be myself around everyone. In the end, not one incubus threatened to kill me when Dominus told them what I was. I count that as a win.
“You look like you need a hug,” I murmur in Leonas’s ear.
“I don’t,” he argues, but he doesn’t move away.
Leonas has been extra standoffish lately, and we’re all beginning to suspect why: There’s a certain vampire messenger, new to the job, whose route frequents The Twig, and who Leonas seems to be steadfastly avoiding. I think he has a crush, but I know better than to let on. I’d like to keep my balls exactly where they are, thank you.
Dominus catches my gaze from across the room, and hunger flares in his pretty blue eyes. He excuses himself from conversation and stalks over to us, looking magnificent with his chest bare and his legs draped in emerald silk with golden ties at the waist.
