Page 15 of Tempting the Fae Lord
I should ask the baby to cry again. Waking him with her high-pitched wails would serve him right for this bit of foolishness. But she’s fast asleep and warm against my chest, so I’ll ask her no more favors.
“Gale.” I give him a little shake. “Wake up.”
He lifts his lids and stares at me. Blinks. Parts his lips. Says nothing. At least he has the decency to look flustered.
“At what point in your life will I get to stop saving you from freezing to death?”
“Erm, hi.” His voice is rough from sleep and cold. “Not tonight, apparently.”
Despite myself, I chuckle. “What are you doing outside?”
“Waiting for you.”
That much is rather obvious. “But why?”
“Don’t go through the gate without me.”
“This again? Come on, Mooncalf.” I take his elbow and haul. “Up you get to sit by the fire before you lose fingers and toes.”
He’s shivering as we make our way to his room, where the hearth is stone cold. I wave a hand to light the coals, then set a pot of water to boil and drag a chair in front of the flames. “Sit. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Don’t go.”
“I won’t be long. The babe will need Eulayla. Stay put.”
“Let me see her first?”
“You’ll have all day to coddle the child.” But I untuck her from where she’s wrapped to my chest. It’s always been hard to say no to Gale, though he gives me countless opportunities. But in this, my acquiescence comes easy enough.
He holds out both arms, and the cloak falls from around his shoulders to his waist.
I pass him the infant.
He smiles at the sleeping sweetheart. “What’s her name?”
“I didn’t ask. Doesn’t matter. She’ll have a new name shortly.”
“What was my name?” His emerald gaze lands heavily on me. “Before.”
This question roots me to the ground. “I don’t know.”
“You didn’t ask?”
“I never do.”
“Then how did I become Gale?”
A weight squeezes my heart, my chest cinches, and the air feels thick to breathe. This question, I know the answer for. But is he ready for this tale?
Am I?
Chapter Five
TheGatekeeper
Perhaps he’ll settlefor the shortest of versions. “I named you.”
He gasps and holds on to the air. “Did you name all of us, then?”
