Warmth. Beauty. Passion.
I reveled in it, rolling around in the grass and soaking up all the magic. “There are so many types of Earth,” I marveled out loud, speaking to no one in particular. “So much life!”
There were plants from all the Fae Realms, including some from my own. And the Human world, too.
“These are tulips,” I said, encouraging one to blossom. “So very different from the orchid.” Which was beautiful and white, but required much more attention than the tulip.
I returned to the tree again, leaning against the trunk and sighing happily. “Such a mighty oak you are,” I praised. “Strong and big and stunning girth.”
“Is that a euphemism?” Zeph asked as he approached with a plate in his hand. “Should I be jealous?”
I giggled, high on life and drunk on the earthy vitality surrounding me.
Zeph’s lips curled as he sat across from me. Kols trailed behind him with another plate and a large mug.
“Spritemead.” The word escaped through my lips on a prayer, my mouth suddenly parched. I reached for the frosty glass, practically panting with need.
“That look is giving me so many ideas,” Kols said as he lowered the mug for me.
I grabbed it and took a big sip, my heart rejoicing at the splendid flavor. Yes, yes.
“Was she like this in Central Park?” Kols inquired as he sat down beside Zeph.
“Yeah, only topless as well,” Zeph replied.
“No wonder you fucked her up against a tree.” Kols set the plate down on the grass, the salad patty and dragon steak making me squeal in excitement. I handed him back the spritemead and dove right into the feast.
No silverware required.
Just hands.
And food. Delicious, amazing food.
Zeph’s plate cradled a loaf stuffed with mouseberries. A red pudding rested beside it, causing my eyebrow to inch upward. “What’s that?” I asked around a mouthful of salad patty. I’d forgotten all about my hunger, and now it returned with a vengeance.
“Sweet paste,” he replied.
That certainly wasn’t something from the Elemental Fae world. “What’s in it?”
“Blood.” No hesitation. No mincing words. Just a single statement that had my stomach churning. “You need it, pixie flower.”
I shook my head, denying him. Because, no, I did not need blood. Yuck.
“You’re ascending as a Midnight Fae,” Kols said gently. “Blood is how we connect to the Dark Source, Aflora.”
I gagged, the salad patty suddenly losing all flavor in my mouth.
My head moved back and forth in denial. No.
“Hmm, I think she needs a little coaxing, Kols.”
“I think so, too,” the Elite Blood agreed. “She had no problem with blood last night.”
“No, she definitely didn’t.”
“So maybe we need to engage in something similar to inspire her?” Kols suggested, setting the mug of spritemead down in the grass.
“It’s like you can read my mind,” Zeph drawled, his finger swiping through the red paste. I half-expected him to bring it to my lips but he lifted his hand to Kols’s mouth instead.