Page 17 of On Brutal Thrones

Thorian’s thumb moves over my knuckles again. “Then perhaps we should survive.”

A laugh slips out of me, watery this time. “That would probably help.”

“I see one problem with this plan,” Thorian says.

My stomach immediately drops. “What?”

He studies me with complete seriousness for another second before the corner of his mouth lifts. “You’ll have to teach me how to celebrate.”

Talon groans. “Divines, Thorian. She offers you a home, and that’s your concern?”

“I’ve never attended a holiday celebration.”

Fenric stares at him. “Never?”

“No.”

Talon reaches over and punches him in the arm. “Then we’re adding that to the list of things wrong with you.”

Thorian barely reacts to the blow. “It must be a very long list.”

“You have no idea.”

Their laughter mingles with the crackle of the fire, and I look around at the three of them, trying to imagine this same sound somewhere else. In my home. Around my table. Fenric’s family filling some of those empty rooms. Talon complaining about whatever Hilda has ordered him to do. Thorian standing stiffly through his first holiday celebration until one of us finally makes him laugh.

It’s strange, the future doesn’t feel like a foolish dream I’m keeping to myself.

It feels like they can see it too.

By the time the fire dies down, we’ve all talked ourselves hoarse about the future, our plans, the trials so far, our lives before we found each other. I describe the parties I want to throw, and the ways I want to treat my loyal people.

Fenric yawns and stretches. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”

“Too tired?” Talon asks, and there’s a challenge in his voice.

Fenric stiffens. “No.”

We don’t keep talking, so I rise and start toward the bed. When I glance back at them, Talon nearly crashes into me.

Damn quiet vampires.

Talon’s gaze drifts toward the bed, then back to me. “You look tired too.”

“I am tired.”

“Sleep.” Talon nods solemnly. “Of course.”

The tone of his voice makes me look at him again.

His mouth twitches.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Talon?”

“I was only wondering whether you wanted to sleep.” His eyes flick briefly toward Thorian and Fenric before returning to mine. “Or if you simply wanted an excuse to get all three of us into a bed.”