I cleanse him with slow, careful motions, pouring my love and appreciation into every caress. Seeing a being this powerful place himself in a vulnerable state is exhilarating. I kiss his crown and lean back on my heels. “Lay back and let me wash your hair.” I massage his scalp with my fingernails and smirk at the rumble that forms in his chest.
When the water is cooling, he steps from the tub onto the thick mat. I pat him dry and help into a thick, black robe. Once he’s seated on the bed, I pour us both a glass of berry sangria. Snuggled beside him, I wait as he enjoys the sweet, crisp, cool drink.
“Just the way I like it. Thank you, dove. You’ve outdone yourself this time.”
“How am I doing on relaxing you?” I trail my fingertips down his arm.
“Exceptionally well.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “You’re laying it on thick tonight. I’m starting to worry.”
I toy with the stem of my glass, rolling it between my fingers. “We had a visitor at the shop today. Sebile.”
He sits up straight. Instantly alert. “What did she want?”
I shrug. “To see me, be nosey, and test Mémé’s mental health mostly. There’s some strange activity happening in the hall of mirrors.”
His jaw tenses. “And this would concern you why?”
“She wants me to monitor the portals and see if I can sense anything.”
“And you told her what?”
“That I couldn’t travel to Fae lands alone.”
He nods his head. “Good girl. How did she respond?”
“Basically, that she wouldn’t expect me to and that I could bring whoever I’d like.” I widen my eyes and mimic her fake innocent act.
“And you’re actually thinking of going?” Cristobal asks.
“I don’t see how I could avoid it. For one, we can’t let her think we fear her, and for two, provided she’s telling the truth, we need to know about anything trying to pierce the veil and enter this dimension.”
“I understand this. My concern is why she feels it must be you. It could be a trap.”
“Perhaps, but I think it’s a two for one deal. Solve the problem and see the new leader in action. The Esçhetes are the ones who brokered a deal with the Fae originally. You know this. I can’t pick and choose which roles I place. It’s all or nothing.”
He growls. “What do you expect me to say, Louella?”
“That you’re coming with me and we’ll make sure everyone is safe.”
“Was there ever any doubt?”
“No. We need to pick a good team of vampires and witches. I’ve never been to the Fae lands, and this is our first showing.”
He takes my glass and places it on the nightstand beside his own. “Tomorrow is enough time to worry.” He rolls me onto my back. “Tonight our focus is going to be elsewhere.”
He covers my mouth with his and all my protests die as my brain fogs. He slides his hand up my thigh, and suddenly strategy is the last thing on my mind.
***
“What have you done to warrant longer lessons?” Marcellus asks as he peers over his teacup. He’s always present. Be it hand-to-hand combat, politics, or manners, he’s there adding his comments and opinions.
“Why does it have to be my fault?” I keep my voice even and my hand steady as I add two pink sugar cubes to my cup. The staff outdoes themselves with their attention to detail, and in some ways, I think all of the courts have their childlike quirks. The appearance of pink is all Ruby. The fiery Scot has no problem making up for all the things she never had as one of thirteen children born to loving but poor parents.
“Thank God you’re rude enough to ask. I’ve been wondering the same thing myself,” Luz says with a laugh.
“There was something tense in the way Cristobal informed us your timetable needed to be upped. Your manners are impeccable. It’s your ability to hide your true feelings he’s worried about. So, I have to wonder, what’s coming up that you need to be prepared for?”
I keep my eyes glued to the cup as I stir my tea.