"Night?" I repeat.
He laughs and shakes his head. "Close enough!"
His voice is so boisterous that it makes me smile. "If you could lay down first, I will do the inspection quickly."
Ever obedient, he is on the bed in a matter of moments. "They say you've got a talent with the Fuegorra. Do all human women have magical powers?" he asks curiously as I begin to pass the crystal over him. "It would be something to have a mate with that kind of power."
My brows furrow. "No—I have heard there are some humans with magic.Brujas1, we call them. But I know little about humans who didn't live in the slave pens." My thoughts split between his excitement for someone. I doubt any Enduar could be lonely with a court as close as theirs, but I suppose there is something about having a person dedicated to being your partner that makes life... easier. I'm learning it slowly.
He purses his lips. "Nasty trade those giants got into."
I don't respond as my crystal finds a small pocket of darkness and extracts it. When he is whole, he gets off the table and leaves quickly.
I meet with three more: Joso, Keio, and Svanna. They are all polite, and continue to use the title that Liana is insisting on. I find myself tired and hungry as I gaze at the twelve crystals all filled with venom. They'll have to be fed to the lava and there is something, almost sad about it to me.
Teo had told me he would enjoy eating with me later, so I begin to clean up just as Liana comes over. "Well done," she says, surveying my crystals. "You could've been a bit smoother with your extraction, but no one is complaining."
I laugh. "I told you I listen to what you say."
"Most of what I say," she chides.
While we stand there, I remember the bet she made while we were playing the pebble game. My cheeks go red, but my curiosity is stronger than anything else. "What happened to the phial of carnelian powder that you brought earlier."
She wipes her hands on a rag and laughs. "I was wondering if you would ask me about that. Technically, Iryth won. I suspect she needs it, with all the hard work she has in caring for the newborn.”
I nod, a little disappointed. It seemed like it would make this new part of myself a little more exciting.
Then she comes over and wraps an arm around me. "You know, there are few people I talk to as directly as I do with you. Perhaps you have noticed, but I am happy to be your friend. I'll make you a new phial, consider it a festival gift."
I smile and look up at her. "Do you normally give gifts during the festival?"
She nods her head. "Yes. Hasn't Teo told you?"
I blink and shake my head. "He doesn't tell me much. I—I don't know what an appropriate gift would be."
A feminine snort comes from behind us. "Mother Liana, I didn't know you were so invested in a royal baby."
I whip around to see Lady Svanna. I like her, she's a good teacher, but I'm not ready for this conversation with someone else. "We were discussing gifts for the festival the day after tomorrow."
She smiles. "Yes. Iryth is quite good at such things. Which brings me to why I'm here—unfortunately, we needed extra help setting up the temple for the festival, and the king is quite tall. He won't be able to make it for your date."
My heart sinks at the news. I had been looking forward to spending time with Teo. "It's all right," I say with a small smile. "I understand how important the festival is."
Lady Svanna smiles in return. "I'm glad to hear that, seeing as how it’s your wedding day, but I was thinking you could eat with me and my mate. I know you usually eat by yourself after helping Ulla cook, but Arlet sits with us as well. You might enjoy it."
I consider it for a moment, then nod my head. "Thank you, Lady Svanna. I would love to join you and your mate for lunch."
She nods, pleased. "Lunch—I like that word. Excellent. We can head over now if you'd like, I'm sure you are hungry."
I nod happily and quickly follow Lady Svanna through the corridors of the castle. I can hear the sounds of preparation for the festival all around us, and excitement builds inside of me.
When we cross the bridge over the crevasse, I see Teo with seven other men setting up large scaffolds with crystals atop. I suck in a breath. He is shirtless, and I can behold ever carefully sculpted muscle on his glistening back and chest.
My heart hammers in my chest as I try to avert my gaze, but it's like his magnetic pull draws me in. I can't help but admire the way his muscles bulge while we walk into the residential section.
As we enter the dining hall, I see Svanna's mate, Iryth. She's holding the baby on her knee, bouncing as she feeds him spoonfuls of something mushy from a bowl.
"Iryth, I brought a friend," Svanna says.