Chapter Two
Lonan
Our trip to Larkstead, and the battle outside Squall’s End, hadn’t even lasted a fortnight.
Not even fourteen days, and everything has changed.
It feels surreal, that this rebellion that’s taken two decades to set up is now in active motion, like dominoes falling faster and faster, leading to an inevitable end.
Hopefully, an inevitable conclusion: my spirit mate on the throne.
The money Larkstead pledged to our cause, Finn’s dowry if you will, hit our treasury yesterday. I had refused their suggestion of using Monkwick as intermediaries. For large sums of coin, most families and organizations used them, but the idea that we would was laughable.
And, of course, the griffons came with us.
I hadn’t kept a gamekeeper on staff previously, but one of the Mullien boys seems naturally talented with them.
So Finn, him, and Faust, a hawk shifter, are managing the roosts.
Finn is training them to be the lead griffoners.
Kai is handling finding riders for the flock: those with magic that can work at a distance, or archers.
Alder had taken a great blow when Oleander took out a large chunk of his army as they sat outside Squall’s End.
And, of course, Kai had dispatched three of Alder’s top commanders, leaving him with inexperienced leaders.
I had left Caspian and Korben to managing things at Squall’s End.
Setting up Fae loyal and trustworthy in positions of leadership, managing some large donations to local organizations that helped the unfortunate townsfolk, recruiting discreetly for our militia.
Hopefully both Caspian and Korben will be home before the first snowfall.
A campaign in the winter is fucking miserable, I think as I stop to look out over the forest as I walk the ramparts around Thistle Grove.
And Ollie has an oath-bound future husband.
My stomach flips at that thought, even though Finnick seems enamored of Ollie, and a good sort of Fae, whom I don’t want to disembowel. In general. It helps that Kai told me exactly how they “consummated” their bond.
Yet, my spirit mate was set to marry another. It ground at me, though I tried not to let it show.
The chilly fall air is moist from nearby Misery Bay. Maybe I need a late-season swim. I nod to a guard and continue on my walk.
Perhaps Ollie’s future marriage would bother me less if I wasn’t as.
.. concerned is a strong word, but bothered, mayhap, by the prospect of her seeing her ex.
Who happens to be one of the family members of the clan of dragons that runs Guivre Shores and rule over the air Fae.
She hasn’t told me and Kai much about him, but I saw the glimmer in her eyes as she spoke of him.
He meant something to her. And that I dislike.
I finish my route and head back to the keep. I pull open the doors and stride in. As I turn a corner, I nearly bump into Lu, one of the staff at the keep. I gingerly grab her upper arms to keep her from falling over. I release her quickly, stepping back. Her fox tail wags and she smiles.
“Good to see you, Commander. I have a snack for Ollie. Would you prefer to bring it to her?” She holds out a tray with a bowl full of chocolate covered nuts.
I smile, softening immediately at the thought of Ollie’s sweet tooth. “Nay, why don’t you? I know she’s missed you and is sorry she hasn’t had a chance to get to the kitchens yet.”
Lu’s face lights up and her tail moves faster. “I missed her too! Thanks Lonan!” And she hustles off.
I smile, pleased with my spirit mate who had somehow made everyone in Thistle Grove like her, even my sour-tempered Captain Lilac. It probably helped that Ollie won over Lilac’s heart mate, Rosie.
I turn and climb the stairs slowly. Since our return three nights ago, Ollie and Finnick have been sharing her rooms. Both Kai and I dislike the intimacy, given that we are not a part of it.
Ollie had been sleeping in my bed, pressed between Kai and I.
But since we didn’t have any kind of relationship with Finn. .. well.
I stop at my war room, unlocking the door magically. The dim space is lit by guttering candles. I stand in front of my map table, staring at the realms of Faery.
The news we had gotten on our return, regarding King Alder’s contingent hidden in the Balfait Highlands, was not something I was expecting. I grimace, staring at the map. I’ll write, again, to our contacts at the Stockmont tomorrow, I decide, since I’ve heard naught back from them.
My mind turns back to what Kai said happened with him, Ollie, and Finn this afternoon.
Kai had come to find me in a hurry, begging me to come curl up with Ollie, as he swore it seemed as if her heart was near breaking.
He hadn’t told me the play they shared until later.
But I had dropped what I was doing; nothing is more important than my mates.
And when Kai and I had arrived at Ollie’s rooms, all four of us had lain in her bed, flesh to flesh, and there had been no complaints.
Between the two activities, I wondered if perhaps we may be able to move Ollie, and Finn, to my rooms soon. An idea strikes me and I turn to grab a pen and paper, writing a quick note to my steward, Nell, and leaving it on the table. She’ll find it in the morning.
I stand and leave the war room, but instead of unlocking my doors, I stop at Kai’s bedroom. I scratch a gentle knock.
The door is tugged open and Kai, nude, stands there, rich red mop of curls mussed and incredibly sexy.
“Mmm,” he purrs, his hand reaching out and snatching my wrist. He tugs me inside, slamming the door and pinning me against it with his body, his face inches from mine.
“There’s my mate,” he whispers, his head tilting and lips skating down my neck. I grin. It never feels old with him.
Oh, yes, the newness, the novelty if you will, has worn off, but when he touches me, even after decades, I’m just as eager for him as I was in our first years. It’s better, even, now that we know each other’s bodies like the backs of our hands.
“Oh, flame,” I whisper into his hair, “I need you.”
“Shall we wrestle for control?” he suggests as he nips my collarbone.
I smirk, feeling suddenly bratty. “Well, if Finn is good enough to top, why shouldn’t I be?”
Kai studies my face a moment, one dark eyebrow raised. “Does my mate need a lesson in patience?”
I shake my head firmly, knowing exactly what he intends, but it’s too late. He’s already dropped to his knees, a devious look on his handsome face.
“Don’t cum,” he commands, as his tongue drags up my cock over my trousers.
AFTER OUR PLAY, I SPEND the night in Kai’s bed. Something that would have been unconscionable a couple months ago. But Ollie has changed many things here.
I awake with Kai’s head resting upon my chest, but I’d bet my soul he’s aware. Sure enough, he murmurs, “Morning love.”
I smile, kissing the top of his head. “How long have you been awake?” I ask.
“Mmm, not long.”
That means an hour at least. “You could have woken me.”
“You need your beauty sleep.”
“Are you saying I’m beautiful, flame?” I grin.
He snorts. “I’m saying you’re starting to look your age.”
I bolt upright, hand to my heart. He laughs and sits up to kiss me.
KAI AND I WAIT FOR Ollie and Finn outside her door. Finn opens the door at our knock, his long green hair tied half up, his pointed ears visible. He is an attractive Fae, I consider, my eyes taking in his long slender legs.
“Ollie should be out any second,” he says, looking between us, his delicate face nervous.
I arch an eyebrow and look at Kai just as Finn’s eyes stick a moment, taking in the magnificent specimen my heart mate is, but he quickly blushes and looks away.
Ollie breezes out, wearing a rich blue gown with a leather underbust corset over it. Her hair is in the two buns, one on either side of her head, that Kai and I adore. I watch Finn’s eyes land on her, lovingly. He’s falling fast. But I understand that.
Ollie kisses me, then Kai, and takes Finn’s hand.
We head downstairs to the main hall for breakfast. Lilac and Tazi are already seated, stacks of sweetcakes in front of them.
Kai pulls out Ollie’s chair and we all sit down.
Before we can dig in though, my steward, Nell, comes in.
Her murky green skin is healthy looking, so she must have had a recent swim.
“Lonan, I was brought your request when I arrived this morning. I’ll get started on it today.
” She blinks slowly, the nictating membrane dashing ahead of her other eyelids.
“One of the chief engineers from the Stockmont Canal arrived before dawn today. I have her set up in a comfortable room. Do you wish for her to eat breakfast with you?”
I lean back, thinking. I hadn’t expected Stockmont to send someone; I suppose that is why their ‘reply’ took so long. “Yes, thank you Nell, send them in.”
She nods and Ollie is already standing, heading to the kitchen to have Cook set another place, I imagine. My heart warms at her, my spirit mate. So thoughtful, and so fearless.
Finn clears his throat and I turn to him. “I had hoped I might ask if we can carve out the time today to sit down, just the four of us.”
Kai’s eyebrows are in his hairline but I nod. “Of course. Let’s have lunch in my apartments.”
Finn nods, a nervous look flitting across his fine-boned face.
Ollie comes back, carrying a plate and glass of juice, setting it down next to Tazi. She pinches Tazi’s ear in jest as she slides back around to sit.
“Want to get a pint this evening?” Tazi asks.
“Sure!” Ollie grins.
Kai makes a noise of displeasure. “I think one of us should go with.”
“Ahhh, c’mon Kai, you’ll ruin girl time!” Tazi whines.
Ollie smiles, a bit nervously, “What if Lilac came?”
Lilac coughs on a sip of water. “What?”
A shrug from Ollie. “It’d be fun. Bring Rosie too.”
“Ohhh, this already sounds like a terrible plan,” I mutter.