“You have an odd idea of paradise,” he murmurs, and strokes my hair. “Very well. If you want to stay for a while, we will stay.”

“Thank you.”

My stomach growls again, interrupting whatever he was going to say next. Aron chuckles, and presses a hand to my stomach. “We had better feed my anchor before she fades away.”

“God, yes, I’m starving.”

“You have eaten nothing since you awoke?” His tone becomes angry.

“Actually, I cleaned out Solat’s lunch. And dinner,” I admit. “And then I went looking for more. The Spidae gave me a pod but…” I glance around, because I must have dropped it at some point. Probably when Aron crashed into me from the other room.

He shakes his head. “You probably don’t want to see what was inside it.”

No, I probably don’t.

“Come,” Aron says. “We will speak to the others and I will have you fed.”

“You make me sound like one of the mounts,” I mutter. Have me fed, indeed.

“If you mean to imply that you will get ridden, then yes,” Aron says slyly, and I blush for what feels like the first time in ages.

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65

“We’re staying here for a while?” Yulenna echoes, her nose wrinkling slightly as she toys with a bit of meat in her bowl. She’s only picking at her food, which makes me absolutely crazy, because I would totally throw down right about now.

Actually, I am throwing down right about now. Ever since we returned to the others, I’ve been eating. Well, no, first we ushered everyone out of the room so I could quickly clean up with a sponge bath. Once all traces of Aron’s release were washed away, I swiped a fresh cloth over my face and arms, and changed into one of my Novoran gowns.

Then I started eating. I haven’t stopped eating since. The stew bubbling in the fireplace (who knew there was a fireplace? Not me). Hard bread from Novoro. Fruit. Dried meat. Grain cakes. More meat. More fruit. Another helping of stew. I wash it all down with cup after cup of Novoran wine. It seems that while I was recovering-slash-sleeping, the woales and all our supplies were mysteriously retrieved and brought to this side of the lake. That means I don’t have to eat whatever is in the spiderweb-wrapped pods, and for some reason, I’m weirdly thankful for that. So I eat, and eat, while the others pick at their food and listen to Aron’s plans.

“Faith needs to rest. She is tired and I don’t want to risk my anchor.”

I can feel the gaze of the others on me, but I don’t care. I tear off another hunk of bread. “What? We stayed in Novoro for a few days. Why can’t we stay here for a few weeks?”

“Weeks?” Kerren asks, clearly shocked.

“Why is everyone freaking out?”

“This place is not natural,” Yulenna whispers. “We don’t belong here.”

“I know that. But the Spidae said we can stay for a while, so that means we’re safe here. I’m sure there’s another room you guys can set up and—”

“Two rooms,” Aron says. “Yulenna is not sleeping with Faith any longer.”

“I’m not?” Yulenna echoes, blinking her big eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”

A piece of bread lodges in my suddenly dry throat and I cough. Why didn’t I think of this before? Aron and I slept together with Yulenna in the room before, but we weren’t really sleeping together. He was just holding me. Of course she’s going to wonder why things have changed.

“Faith will be sleeping with me,” Aron says firmly, and I blush bright red again. I chug more wine, trying to be cool about things, but everyone stares in my direction. Porn music plays in my head.

“Yeah, we’re doing it,” I admit. Best to get it out in the open. “If you’ve got a problem with that, tough titty.”

Solat laughs. No one else does.

“You are Aron of the Cleaver, Lord of Storms. We serve you in all ways.” Markos bows stiffly. “I will make sure quarters are available for both Yulenna and your remaining men.”

I flinch at that. Is that a jab about Vitar’s death? I haven’t forgotten it. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I take another gulp of wine, sad that the mood is so tense. I watch quietly as the others gather their things and leave the room, and then I’m alone at the small table near the fire, the fluttering web curtains falling over the doorway and giving Aron and me privacy.

“They’re not happy,” I murmur as I set down my cup.

“They do not make the decisions. I do.” Aron paces slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. “If you want to stay here for longer, we shall.”

“Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

“No. It will give me time to think, to plan for when I meet my next Aspect. I tried to think ahead in Novoro, but that foolish Lord Secuban would not stop nattering for a moment.” He gives an irritated shake of his head. “At least here it is quiet.”

“Are we safe?” I finally ask. There are a few pieces of fruit left, and I idly pick one up, toying with it and deciding if I want to eat it. I might save it for later, but I could definitely eat it. I flip the round, orange-red fruit in my hands, back and forth. “Here, I mean? There’s spiders and the Spidae, and that thing in the lake—”

“—all guardians controlled by the Spidae. If they do not mind us staying, then we are quite safe. If they wanted us to go, we would know it.” He glances over at me. “You must intrigue them.”

“Me? I thought they were helping you.”

He snorts. “You have seen their method of helping.”

Ugh, he’s right. Hiding me away for two days just to see how Aron would react. Dicks. I can’t imagine what they’re thinking, other than they just like to toy with us. “They did tell me where we’re supposed to go,” I offer. “You’ll never guess.”

“Yshrem?”

I point at him, taking another sip of my wine. “That’s it.” The fruit in my hands smells heavenly, and I’m still a little hungry. I put down my wine cup and sniff the skin, enjoying the tease. I mean, I’m totally going to eat this, but I’ll give it a little foreplay first. “Yshrem. He said you would meet your destiny there.”

Aron nods thoughtfully. “The Cyclopae are warriors dedicated to me, and they conquered Yshrem years ago. I believe their king rules from there now, so it does not surprise me that I will meet my other Aspects on the field of battle before Castle Yshrem’s gates.”

Field of battle? I don’t like the sound of that. “Is it safe to go there?”

“Do you mean, will the people of Yshrem try to kill me as my own priests did back in Aventine?” His lip curls with the memory. “There is only one way to find out, but the Cyclopae king is an honorable warrior.”

“Whereas the prelate was a corrupt asshole looking out for himself. I gotcha.” I nod and nibble on the skin of my fruit. It’s so juicy that a droplet dribbles onto my hand, and I absently lick it up.

Aron watches me, his gaze intent on my actions. For some reason, I immediately think of sex. The way he’s watching me tells me it’s not about the fruit. Not anymore.

Flustered at his intense scrutiny, I try to keep the conversation going. “So you don’t mind staying here until we head out to Yshrem then?”

“Staying in bed with you for a few weeks? It does not seem like such a chore.” He slowly gets to his feet, and his gaze is devouring me.

I feel all fluttery and weak. Does he really want to spend the next few weeks in bed? “You know, for a guy that didn’t want to touch me for the longest time, you’re pretty gung-ho now.”

“I told you.” He stalks toward me, like a predator chasing prey. “I am already lost.”

I watch him, fascinated and breathless. “What are you doing?”

“I find that I need to eat as well,” Aron murmurs.