Page 118 of Fate of the Sun King

“Tell her…” Lor pauses, and I know it’s carving out a piece of herself to say this when she was expected to smother the truth for so long. “That Wolf’s granddaughter is here to see her.”

I study the server’s face, searching for any signs of recognition. Any clue that those words might mean something. We agreed to use Lor’s grandfather’s name instead of Serce’s, given its far more common usage across Ouranos. While it’s a Woodlands name through and through, it isn’t unique enough to arouse suspicion.

“She’ll know what it means,” Lor adds, and the waitress nods. “I assure you.”

“Of course. I will let her know. And I’ll get your wine.”

“Thank you,” Lor says as the woman drops into a quick curtsy and then walks away, exposing everything her sheer dress fails to conceal from behind.

“You think that will work?” Lor asks, leaning against me. I love how she fits like this under my arm, where she has always belonged. “Do you think she suspected anything?”

“I don’t,” I say. I’m not entirely confident about that, but I see no reason to worry Lor. We’ve revealed at least some of our hand, and now we’ll wait to see where the chips fall.

After a few minutes, the woman returns with a tray holding the bottle we ordered, along with three glasses. She deposits them on the table and then addresses Lor.

“Mistress Payne said she is willing to see you, but she has some business she must attend to first. She invites you to enjoy the club’s entertainment on the house, and someone will retrieve you when she’s ready.”

Lor opens her mouth, obviously ready to protest. I squeeze her hand, and she closes it. I suspect this is a power play to make us squirm, but we can wait. It won’t do us much good to make a fuss.

“Okay,” Lor says. “Thank you. We’ll wait then.”

“You can remain here or move over to the performance area if you like. There will be a very exciting demonstration happening soon.”

The woman gestures to a small round stage at the far end of the room surrounded by silk-covered divans, where other High Fae are already gathering.

“Thank you,” I say. “We might do that.”

“Of course. Please let me know if you need anything else.”

With another quick curtsy, she walks away.

“You don’t think Cloris is busy running to Atlas right now, do you?” Lor asks, nervously twisting an end of her hair.

“I don’t think so,” I say. “Remember, if she recognized you then she already knew you were in Aphelion. You’re the one who keeps reminding me of that.”

“But what if she didn’t know it was me, and now we’ve just told her I’m here? Are we sitting ducks?”

“Lor, it’s going to be fine,” I say, taking her hand. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

She gives me a wry smile. “Where do you get this confidence from?”

I wink. “I come by it honestly.”

She snorts out a skeptical laugh just as a High Fae male approaches our table. “Would anyone here care for something?”

He’s nearly naked, save for the tiny shorts barely covering the swell of his massive cock, revealing stacked bronzed muscle over every inch of his body. Mael grins, and I’m pretty sure we’ve just lost him for the day. My friend has always had a thing for blonds.

“Perhaps,” Mael replies, stretching his arms along the back of the couch. “What are you offering?”

The male crooks a smile. “Anything you want.” He leans down, planting one hand on the back of the booth, his nose inches from Mael’s. “But I happen to be extremely gifted with my mouth.”

Mael lets out a low grunt. “I like the sound of that.” His gaze flicks to me.

“If you don’t need me for a short while…”

“Go,” I say, knowing this was likely to happen. “Just don’t be too long.”

“You know me, lightning quick,” he replies as he’s already sliding out of the booth. The male takes his hand and drags him away without another word while Mael waves half-heartedly back at us over his shoulder.