Page 55 of Tempting the Fae Lord
“Thank you for sharing the story.”
“You’re welcome. Sorry it wasn’t a happier tale.”
“I like to learn things about you, the good and the bad. Not everything needs to be happy. Not everythingishappy.”
“Indeed.”
I stifle a yawn.
“Come here.” He reaches for me with his free hand and draws me in. “Lie down. You need sleep.”
I blink. What does he want? But I let him position me how he likes. Gently, he tugs me down, offering his lap. Oh. He means for me to use his thigh as a pillow.
Suddenly, I’m not so sleepy. A rush of pleasant tingling warms my belly as I lie on my side and rest my cheek against his leg.
With one hand on my waist and the other on my crown, he hums. “There. Go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake.”
For a long while, I bask in the closeness.
Some unknown time after, I do as he says.
Chapter Seventeen
Gale
Days and nightsof hiding pass with no sign of Sonja.
I’m dirty, bored, and restless. After longing my entire life to cross through the blasted gate, all I want at the moment is to go home. Eulie and the others must be worried sick. I hate to think of them scared on my behalf.
It’s early evening. Ezra and I sit in the village pub at a corner table closest to the hearth. A group of rowdy men toast over their beers and swap stories. Their raucous laughter and jovial teasing lend a cheerful mood to the place, even as I sulk in the corner.
The barmaid brings the honeyed ale and dinner I ordered.
“Anything for you?” She asks Ezra, to which he politely declines. “Flag me down if you change your mind, handsome.” She winks and leaves.
Though he seems unaffected by her flirting, I fight the urge to scowl. I must lose because Ezra looks right at me and huffs a low laugh.
“Don’t worry. She’s not my type.”
I’m embarrassed he noticed, but if it keeps him smiling at me like that, I’ll gladly suffer the embarrassment. His smile is a balm, a brief respite to the serious mood he’s been in for an age. Nice to see he can still do it.
He shifts his gaze, so I tuck into my plate of roast bird and potatoes while he stares at the dancing flames.
The food is decent. Not as delicious as Eulayla makes, but simple and pleasantly spiced. I ordered enough to bring a meal to Petru from my leftovers. He hasn’t asked to join us, which is good because I doubt Ezra would let him.
It’s odd to dine across from a man who doesn’t eat. Well, he doesn’t eat human food. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him feed since before I crossed through the gate.
“Are you hungry too?” I ask between bites.
“Not as such. I’ll take care of it when the need arises.”
“How?”
He lifts a brow. “The usual way. You’ve eavesdropped enough to know.”
My cheeks warm.
He nods toward the pack of tipsy men. “Plenty of sturdy candidates about should I require a meal.”
