Page 72 of Tempting the Fae Lord
And in my bed.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gale
The sneezing pit—oras most folks who live in castles would call it, the Great Hall—is full of people. Probably more people than have ever set foot in our home during my lifetime.
I’m not sure I like it.
Makes me nervous to see our space so crowded.
Villagers bring news of the damages, accounts of the losses, and of course, their thanks for the Gatekeeper’s help.
There’s a huge contingent from the queen’s army. Soldiers on soldiers on soldiers. Men, women, fae, humans, even a gargoyle (which I hadn’t known were real until now, and wow, his muscles have muscles) mill around helping themselves to the huge spread of food Eulayla has whipped up as if she were the true mage in this family and not Ezra.
A little thrill of excitement shivers through me. Ezra. Who asked me to call him by name. Who I awoke lying next to only a few hours ago in a nest of blankets that smell like him (and a bit like me too now).
It was next to impossible to leave the bed, what with Ezra still in it, but he sensed the influx of people and sent me to help the others.
Since then, I’ve been running back and forth playing messenger between them and him.
To Eulayla: The barn was set on fire. Yes, Ezra put it out. No, no sign of them. Yes, the queen’s people are on their way. No, I don’t know how many. Ezra says a lot. Yes, I can fetch more water.
To the queen’s contingent: Yes, it was me who wrote for help. No, I don’t know where they are now. Yes, the master of the house is indisposed. No, it’s no trouble to feed and house everyone, welcome in. Yes, he’ll want to speak with you when he wakes.
To Ezra: Yes, I’ll be careful. No, there’s still no sign of Sonja or Petru. Yes, it’s all under control. No, there’s no emergency. Yes, I’ll take care of it. No, I won’t put myself in any danger. Yes, I promise.
All this to-and-fro without a hint of fatigue.
In fact, I’m buzzing with energy.
I’m sure Ezra’s blood is to thank for this. That and the euphoria of last night. I can’t get over it. Ezra’s full attention. His affection. His lips on mine. The sweet sounds of pleasure he made at my touch. The look on his face as he?—
“Gale! I’m talking to you. Can’t you hear?” Amaris, hands on hips, arches her brows and stares in my direction.
“Erm, sorry.” Head out of the clouds, Gale. Little sisters are afoot. “What do you need?”
“I don’tneedanything. Why are you standing there grinning at nothing? Looks dumb.”
“I’m not grinning about nothing.”
“Then what are you grinning about?”
My cheeks heat. Hopefully, she won’t notice. “Maybe I’ll tell you when you’re older.”
“You’re blushing, dummy.”
Damn. “Maybe I’ll tell you when you stop calling me dumb.”
“Pfft, never happen.”
“Then you’ll never know.”
“You’re no fun lately.”
She’s not wrong about that. I’ve hardly even seen her since life got crazy on us. “If that’s your way of saying you miss me, then I miss you too.”
“And if it isn’t?”
