Page 89 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“They should be grateful it is not theirs.” Snow glanced at her gloved hands and then at Nia. “Actually, it could be theirs, I had a chat with a so-called Leon this morning. Soft like a mushy cherry he was. Popped out of his skin like he was ripe.”

Her friend cringed.

When I ran a frustrated hand over the scruff growing on my jaw, Snow beamed. Grinned brightly as though the sun shone again after a storm. “Say it. I know you want to preach me some goodness.”

Fading right before her, I pinched her chin between my fingers and lifted her face to me. “I love you like I’ve loved you since the first day. I am as sick as you and I am sick for you. But this if fucking worrying me.”

She blinked slow. “That was a good one.”

Not letting go of Snow, I turned to Nia. “Head to Adriata for me and let Mal know that today’s meeting has been pushed by an hour.”

“You can’t order her as you wish,” Snow hissed.

“Why not? I am her king, her friend and her friend’s husband? Why can’t I?”

She batted my hand away. “Because those mean nothing, and you have corrupted her enough to your side as it is.”

Nia flinched. “Snow, you know that is not true.”

Snow didn’t even make a move or sound to deny. “Do as he says. I’m tired.”

Nia’s shadows glazed with sadness, but she did as told—disappearing.

“Happy?” I asked.

There was no emotion in her face, and it made me all too aware that she’d feigned almost everything in Nia’s presence. “Ecstatic.”

Hooking an arm around her, I faded the two of us to Taren castle. “Where are the kitchens?”

“What?” she asked, still dizzy from the movement.

Sliding my arms under her knees and her waist, I pulled her up and stalked down the corridors before her senses settled and she fought me like a wildcat. After several wrong turns, I managed to follow the smell of cooking down to the kitchen quarters. Servants rushed from side to side without paying any mind to us as they prepared food of all sorts.

“Snow,” a short stubby man bowed. His eyes were so wide they could pop out of their sockets at any moment. “My…my…king.”

Snow jumped from my arms and gave him a hard glare. Taking a step between them, I gave the man an apologetic nod. “Kilian is fine. Could you prepare something she likes to eat?”

He took a moment to answer. “Of course.”

Grabbing Snow’s hand, I pulled us to a corner table. “When have you eaten last?”

“Last time.”

“Snowlin.”

She dropped her head back. “Leave me alone. Good gods above that is all I ask.”

The cook dropped a bowl of soup before her and I put a spoon on her hand. “Eat or I’ll feed you.”

“When I see your face all appetite vanishes.” She smacked both hands on the table and made to leave, but I faded behind her and sat her on my lap.

“We can go at it all day,” I said, holding her hips down. “You will find that I am much more persistent than you think. Now, open your pretty mouth for me.”

She writhed in my hold. “I’ll eat myself.”

“You had the choice and refused it.” When she wouldn’t oblige, I grabbed her jaw and pulled her mouth open, pushing the spoon between her lips. I clicked my tongue. “I could swear you fucking like when I’m an absolute dick to you.”

“Good thing you’re self-aware, Your Majesty.”