“I don’t know that I’ll remember the trick to kissing you without pain in the morning,” he said.
“Hmm. Then I guess we’d better make good use of tonight.”
CHAPTER 17
ANNA
Anna woke surrounded by warmth, almost sweating. She blinked her eyes open, squinting at the light that filled the room.
Thestrangeroom.
Wait. What?
She was lying in a bed. Someone else’s bed. With far too many blankets.
But she was alone.
It took a few moments before the memories returned, along with a wicked headache.
Fire, dancing, music, wine. Sean introducing her to his cousin, Cole. Proceeding to get fantastically drunk with said cousin. Laughing at everything and everyone in the general vicinity. Returning to his quarters when Maddy decided to use theirs as a bordello. His mother ushering her into Cole’s bed, forcing him to sleep on the couch.
Anna sat up just as the man himself appeared in the open doorway, grinning down at her. His hair was mussed, and a shadow of bristles darkened his jaw.
“I have a crick in my neck thanks to you,” he said.
She laughed. “I have a pounding headache thanks toyou. Why’d you let us drink so much?”
A charmed levity brightened his emotions. “How was I supposed to know that elderberry wine is so toxic?”
“Not toxic,” called a female voice down the hall. “Potent.”
Cole motioned Anna to follow. “Mom made willow bark tea. Helps with headaches.”
“Fantastic.” She scrambled out of bed.
In her cookery, Blaire Hart, treasure that she was, handed Anna a full mug. On the crystal cooker, a glass tea kettle steamed, and the air was perfumed with fruit and jam.
Anna spewed her thanks, then paused. A man was already settled at the dining table.
“Good morning,” Kywyn said with a smile.
In a flutter of butterflies, she bowed to the crowned Sovereign.
“Oh, there’s no need for all that,” he said with a wave of his hand. “I’m only here because my son prefers to dine in a more intimate setting for now.”
Despite their pixie heritage, Anna had never conversed with Kywyn. Stiff with awkwardness, she took a seat and a long draft of the headache-crushing tea.
“How do you find Cathaire?” Kywyn asked. “He trained me as well, you know. Centuries ago, now.”
“Oh.” She set down her cup. “He’s?—”
Kywyn chuckled. “A bit of a taskmaster?”
Anna grinned. “I am well trained.”
“So diplomatic.” His blue eyes twinkled.
“I really should be getting down there soon.”
