“You might be able to guess this one,” I said as I handed him the wrapped jar, its warmth and a faint orange glow emanating through the paper.
When he just stared down at it after unwrapping it, the orange glow shining through his long, pale fingers as he cradled it in his hands, I said nervously, “I thought—You said it’s cold in the palace, and there wasn’t much else I could make you.”
“It’s wonderful,” he murmured, keeping his head bent. “Thank you.”
Then he looked up at me with another smile—a wider one. I was getting lots of smiles from him tonight. His eyes were bright in the firelight, the blue-white unseelie fire in the hearth mingling with the orange glow reflecting off the planes of his face.
I swallowed and handed him the last present.
“You don’t really need this one, but…” I shrugged, trailing off as I watched him unwrap it.
He pulled free the cloth and stared down at the dagger, lifting it reverently in his hands.
“I know you don’t really need more weapons.” I chuckled awkwardly.
“It’s beautiful,” he said softly, then looked up at me with solemn black eyes. “The blade is the colour of your eyes.”
I laughed. “My eyes don’t look like that.”
He nodded, carefully folding the dagger back into the cloth. “They do.”
I wasn’t prepared when he lunged at me, kissing me deep before trailing more kisses down my neck. “Thank you, Ash.”
His voice was unsteady, and he kept his face buried in my neck for long moments. I threaded my fingers through his hair, kissing his temple.
“You’re welcome.”
We stayed that way for long minutes, until Lonan let out a shaky breath and leaned back, keeping his eyes averted. “Shall we have some of the chocolate?”
I nodded, getting to my feet. “I’ll make us some tea.”
I sensed he might have appreciated a few minutes to himself, so I went into the kitchen and ladled the rest of the stew into a big glass bowl before cleaning out the cauldron to boil water for tea. When I went back into the living room with two steaming mugs, he was still sitting cross-legged in front of the fire, his head bent and the glowing jar in his hands.
He looked up quickly when I sat down in front of him, giving me a small smile as he took the mug I offered. “Thank you.”
After taking a sip, he opened the chocolate almonds and held the bag out to me. I took one and nibbled it as Lonan shoved three into his mouth and crunched down, making me smile.
“I like the armour,” I said with a grin as I rubbed my socked foot over his thigh. “Very sexy.”
He glanced up at me and away, cheeks flushing faintly as he grabbed the bag of ginger and opened it. “It’s ceremonial.”
I chuckled, watching as he bit into a piece of chocolate-covered ginger. The fire crackled softly, but I could faintly hear the thumping drums of the party far away.
“I’m guessing the party will go on all night.”
Lonan nodded. “And well into tomorrow. Until they can no longer stand or dance.”
“I wasn’t expecting the giant horses.” I chuckled and nudged his knee with my foot. “You looked good up there. Scary and ruthless.”
He cleared his throat, looking down as he toyed with an almond. “The ride was uneventful. It normally is. Most Folk respect the changing of the seasons, even solitary ones who live in the forest.”
He hesitated, then looked up at me with a tiny, sad smile. “The Carlin said she felt you try to leave.”
My gut clenched painfully.
“I just wanted to see if it—if her being in the forest meant I could go in there.” I reached over and clenched his fingers in mine. “I wouldn’t leave you.”
The words hung there heavily in the ensuing silence. I felt painfully exposed, but I couldn’t take them back now. I cleared my throat, taking a sip of tea before setting the mug on the rug beside me to keep my eyes averted. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lonan do the same.