Page 68 of The Book Reader
“My father always taught me; mate first, then people, because without them both we would be nothing.”
“He was right.” I smile up at him
“Let’s get something to eat, I have a surprise for you,” he says, grinning at me, and leads me to what looks like an old-fashioned tea shop. The outside looks like it’s made from the same dark blue stone as the rest. Stepping into the building, I notice tables dotted everywhere, with people sitting around, eating what appears to be afternoon tea.
“Are we having tea and sandwiches?” I ask, laughing, unable to hide my excitement. I haven’t had afternoon tea since mygrandfather was alive; he used to take me when I was younger, and it was always a favorite of mine. Aunt May would try to take me when she could, but it was never the same, and I miss it.
“Yes, this was one of your favorites in your last few lives. I thought you might like it.” Gaelan looks a little nervous, which makes my heart swell—this strong, confident man is worried about my reaction.
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
A plump woman pokes her head out from the back; she’s wearing a dress with flowers on it and a bright pink apron, which, by the looks of it, is covered in flour and chocolate. Her gray hair flows down her back, almost reaching her waist. As soon as her blue eyes land on Gaelan and me, she gasps. “My lord, I didn’t think you would be coming to collect the basket.” She bows and rushes over to us, her hand stretched out for me to shake. “Not that I mind, mind you… pleasure it is.” She smiles sweetly at me. “Book Reader, so pretty in person.”
I blush at her words. “Please, call me Ari, it’s lovely to meet you.”
“We have been hearing a lot of stories about you, my dear. Can’t wait for you to fix this mess.” She waves her hand in the air dismissively.
I frown at her words and then look at Gaelan, who changes the subject by pointing to the table by the window. “Fran, can we have some of your amazing afternoon tea?”
“My lord, have a seat, and I will bring it straight out.” She then whispers to me, “Don’t mean to speak out of turn. It’s been a long time since peace was all.” With that, she turns and leaves us.
I follow Gaelan and take the seat that he pulls out for me. “Gaelan, what did she mean by a longtime since peace?” He opens his mouth, but the look in his eyes. The look that tells mehe doesn’t want to answer my question makes me put my hand up to stop him. “Tell me, please,” I say.
“I will, but it’s nothing for you to worry about.” He sighs, then lowers his voice. “Tate. Wants the underworld for himself, he’s attacking sections of it, taking over realms and turning them to his way.”
“His way? What do you mean?” I look out of the window; everything seems so peaceful: daemons walking around shopping, young children playing.
“He wants every lord in the underworld to bow down to his way, to walk the pitch-black path he offers to all. We’ve always had some sort of balance down here, a fair amount of bad to balance the good. Tate wants there to be only evil, but that’s not how the world works. Theremustbe a balance. In him tipping it, he wants to rule the underworld, heaven above,andthe topside. Some of us have been able to hold him off; he had a powerful assassin working with him, but something happened, and he stopped. No one knows why. We’re just thankful the killing has ended for now.”
Fran comes out with a whole tower of cakes, sandwiches, and tea, smiling. I note the lemon cake. “Lemon cake, just as the lady loves. Baskets are ready when you are, my lord.” She bows and scurries off.
I pick up a cucumber sandwich and take a bite. “Do you think he’s given up?”
“No, I do not. A daemon like Tate doesn’t just give up, I think he’s regrouping, so the lords are doing the same.” Gaelan lifts a cake and starts eating. “But we can talk more later, let us eat and get on with our day.” He gives me that killer dimple smile, and I almost melt in my seat.
“Your smile is dangerous,” I laugh.
“It is?” He smirks at me, which, now comparing both of those looks, I think the smirk is worse—the smirk makes me want tolie down naked on the table and have him eatmefor lunch. The thought makes my cheeks heat up.
“What’s on your mind, my Rose?”
“Nothing,” I say, which earns me a laugh.
We atemost of the cakes, but Fran added what we couldn’t finish to our basket as we were leaving.. It was a short walk to the clearing where we stand now.
“This way, my Rose.” Gaelan breaks into my thoughts and leads me further into the field—it’s stunning. A strong scent of lavender fills my nose, the colors contrasting against the dark sky. I lower my hands and let them run over the flowers—they look like wildflowers, but I don’t recognize any of them.
“What kind of flowers are these?” I ask, leaning down to smell a bright purple one.
“These are night meadow flowers, the kind you only get in the underworld that don’t need sun.” Gaelan walks over to me and picks the one I was smelling. “This one is calleddelilly morte. It’s a non-deadly one, and its smell is more powerful when rubbed on the skin.” He picks up my arm and rubs the bulb onto the inside of my wrist. The feeling of Gaelan’s feather-light touch makes my breathing speed up. He lowers his head and runs his nose along my arm, smelling me. “Almost as good as you,” he says as he kisses the skin before pulling back. I lift my hand and smell the flower scent, and I could almost moan at how good it smells, like a sweeter lavender mixed with violet.
Lifting my eyes, I watch as Gaelan lifts his hand and snaps his fingers. Suddenly, the ground shakes, and it feels like a hundredhorses racing toward us, but I see nothing. Suddenly, I smell fire and can feel heat tracing along my skin; Gaelan turns to me with a grin.
“Don’t be afraid of him, Arianna,” he says, making me frown. I go to step forward, but I freeze when black smoke fills my vision, before it starts forming into a giant black horse. The horse rears up before landing hard and stamping its front hooves. Its eyes are red, and every time it moves, fire flickers from its body.
“Gaelan?”
“It’s okay, Ari. He’s just saying hello.” Gaelan walks over to the horse and runs his hand along its neck. “Shhhh, boy. Yes, she is here.” The horse bows its head, shaking it slightly. “Here.” Gaelan reaches for my hand and places it on its neck. “This is Shadow.”
