Page 1 of Tempting the Fae Lord
Chapter One
Gale
For an orphan,I have lots of family, the youngest of which sleeps like the dead while the rest of us have been doing chores for an hour.
I lay a hand on her pink linen-covered shoulder. “Time to wake, Amaris.”
She grunts and rolls away from me.
Gah, little sisters. So annoying.
Her room reeks of the rose-scented perfume she’d begged for last summer solstice. The fragrance would be lovely if sprayed sparingly rather than doused upon every doll, pillow, and rug. At least she keeps the place tidy.
I poke her bony knee through the covers. “Wake up, lazybones.”
“Mmmph.”
Time to get serious. I tickle her armpits until she giggles herself awake.
“Gale, no. Gale, stop.” She smacks at my hands, but I’m relentless. “Quit it, or I’ll spit in your oatmeal.”
I’m relentless until she says that. “Gross.” And she’ll do it too. Amaris isn’t one for idle threats. “Come on, please?”
“No.” She yanks the covers over her head.
I tug the blanket far enough down to view her grumpy expression. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
She works up a good wad in the back of her throat.
I snatch her covers and throw them across the room. “Out of bed! And no spitting.”
She swallows. “You’re the worst brother.”
“I’m your favorite brother, and we both know it. Up!”
“But the sun’s not even out yet.”
“We won’t be seeing the sun today, little miss.” I grab her a set of warm woolen work clothes and toss them at her feet. “There’s a big ice storm coming. I can smell it on the breeze, which is why I need you up to help the others.” The fortress isn’t ready for this weather. It’s come too early.
“I’m too little to help with that stuff.” She pouts, dragging her gray chemise over her nightgown.
“Nonsense, you’re nearly nine, and I don’t need you outside anyway. You’ll be doing Marissa’s chores, while Marissa does Jack’s chores, while Jack helps me outside. Got it?”
“You mean”—a sly smile splits her oval face—“I’ll be making this morning’s porridge?”
Oh, smoldering ashes, I hadn’t thought of that. “Yes, and no spitting.”
“What’ll you give me for not spitting?”
She’s impossible. I rack my brain. Got it. “I’ll let you win at Essin.”
Her eyes light up, but then she scowls. “Nobody will believe I beat you. Everyone knows you’re the best at Essin.”
“Some other game, then. Your pick. Just get out of bed, please. We don’t have time for this bickering.”
“Chess?”
“Sure.”
