Page 8 of Tempting the Fae Lord
“I won’t.” I probably won’t. Would be doubly embarrassing to be caught twice.
“Good. Since that’s settled, I’ll escort you back to the study. Amaris is surely put out by your departure. And when she’s mad, she?—”
“Spits. I know.” Without thinking, I blurt out what’s truly bothering me. “Why don’t you feed from me?”
He stops, unlaces our arms, and faces me. “You say that as if you want me to.”
While my brain is on holiday, I may as well say what I wish. “Maybe I do.”
I’ll treasure the memory of his stunned expression for the rest of my life. His open mouth. His dilated pupils. His arched brows. A laugh bubbles up my throat and escapes my lips.
He glares. Ah, yes, that looks more like the Gatekeeper I’m used to. “Not you, Gale. Be glad of it.”
I’m not, though. My stomach sinks. “What’s wrong with my blood?”
“Not a thing.”
“Then why won’t you?—”
“Hush.” His spine snaps straight. “You test me.”
I shuffle back a step.
“I’ll not be spied upon in my own home nor plied with intrusive questions. Go back to the others, finish your game, and go to bed. With guests in the castle, the next few days will be busy.”
“But—”
“No back chat. Go.”
I slump. I’ve upset him. It’s the last thing I wanted to do. Now I’m actually sorry, so if that was his goal, he’s achieved it. I’d apologize in truth, but he’s dismissed me, and I won’t risk angering him further.
I sulk as I’m leaving.
Behind me, so soft I almost miss it, he murmurs, “Good night, Mooncalf. Sweet dreams.”
Chapter Three
Gale
We’re icedin for five days. Though we’ve definitely been through worse, by the time the sun makes her valiant golden return, I’m near to climbing the walls from cabin fever.
And so are our guests.
At midmorning, the villagers are packed and eager to return to their lives and homes downhill. Eulayla and I are stuffed in our furs and cloaks to see them off with baskets of fresh-baked goodies for the trip. A trip that’s far too short to require sustenance, but Eulayla needs no more excuse than a bit of dandelion fluff to whip up extra sweet treats.
It feels good to be outside again, to admire the blue skies and listen to theplink plink plinkof dripping icicles.
As the group rides off, waving their good-byes, I bump my shoulder against Eulayla’s. “Another storm well weathered.”
“You did a fine job, lad.” She pats my cheek. “I’m proud of you. And I know it’s a weight off Chester’s shoulders to turn over more responsibilities, so thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome. And thankyoufor this.” I snitch a powdered plum crisp from what’s left in her basket. Mmm. I could eat twenty-seven of these and still want more.
She licks her thumb and swipes sugar off the corner of my mouth. “All grown up, yet you’ll always be a bit of a child in my eyes.”
“Hey.”
“It’s a good thing, Gale. Never lose that youthful zest for life. You’ll need it, living here.” She draws her cloak tighter around her middle.
