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“Dessert?” Liath asked once more and when I nodded hesitantly, he pricked his finger again. The savory dishes disappeared and several new ones took their place.
“Oh—what is it?” I asked, as Liath scooped out a portion for me.
“I believe it’s called ‘chocolate lava cake,” he informed me. “It’s from the Mortal Realm. And here—you have to have it with a scoop of this.” He added a white ball of some icy substance to my plate and handed it to me.
I took a bit of the chocolate stuff first. I’d had chocolate once or twice—Tansy had smuggled it in to me though it was forbidden at the Summer Court, because it was so fattening. But the few dry, crumbling morsels she’d given me were nothing like this.
The smooth, velvety texture and the bitter-sweet taste made my eyes roll back in my head and I couldn’t hold back a little moan of delight. It was absolutely the best thing I’d ever put in my mouth and I wanted more of it immediately.
I took another bite—pairing it with the cold, creamy white stuff this time. The mixture was even more delicious, making me close my eyes to savor the perfect combination. By the Shining Throne—this was the best food I’d ever had and my father had employed only the finest fairy chefs back home! But their food couldn’t compare to what Liath had put on my plate.
Speaking of Liath, I opened my eyes and saw—to my consternation—that he was watching me eat. He seemed to be enjoying himself too—he had his chin propped on one huge fist and a little smile was playing around the corners of his sensuous mouth.
Seeing him staring at me like that gave me a start. I put down my spoon at once and swallowed what I had in my mouth. I felt as though he’d caught me doing something forbidden—something almost sexual—and my cheeks heated with a blush.
“What’s wrong? Why did you stop?” he rumbled, lifting his eyebrows as I blotted the corners of my mouth carefully with my white linen napkin.
“Why are you staring at me?” I asked, returning his question with a question.
He shrugged, his broad shoulders lifting with the movement.
“I like to see you enjoying yourself. Is the lava cake to your liking?”
“It’s…the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” I confessed, wondering why I was telling him this. “But isn’t it terribly fattening?”
“Does it matter if it is?” he asked. “It strikes me, little bird, that you haven’t had many pleasures in your life so far. Why not take this one as it is and just enjoy it?”
“What do you know about my life?” I demanded. “And how did you know my nickname is ‘little bird?’”
He frowned and shook his head.
“I’m not ready to tell you that yet. You’ll have to wait until we get to know each other better.”
This was a strange answer and I didn’t know what to say to it.
“Your ice cream is melting,” Liath said, pointing to the scoop of white stuff on my plate—which was, indeed, transforming into a white puddle. “Better eat it before it’s too late.”
I picked up my spoon again but though I loved the rich flavor of the dessert, I was almost too preoccupied to taste it. What did he mean he’d tell me when we got to know each other?
It doesn’t matter, I told myself. Because we’re not going to have time to know each other—I’m killing him tonight!
I didn’t know how I was going to manage to murder my huge new husband but I knew I had to take revenge. If I waited too long, I might lose my nerve.
It was tonight or never.
8
The dining area led into a vast bed chamber with an enormous bed draped in dark blue satin at its center. The furniture was carved from heavy, dark wood and there were actual living trees and other plants growing in the corners, spreading their leafy foliage in the shady gloom.
Despite the greenery, it was a very masculine space. Clearly we weren’t just moving in together—I was invading his room. I wondered why he wanted me there—why not just give me my own space?
Why do you think? It’s your wedding night, whispered a sardonic little voice in my head. Why else would he want you in his room—and in his bed—tonight?
The thought made me shiver with fear and I looked around for something to distract myself. I was surprised to see floor to ceiling windows on most of the walls which let in a dim gray light.
“What time is it?” I asked Liath, peering out one of the panes, which only showed an abundance of branches and snow on the ground.
“It’s evening but time doesn’t really matter in the Winter Court. It’s always dusk here—the same way it’s always Summer afternoon back at the Summer Court,” he explained. “You’ll get used to it—though if you miss the sunshine, I can arrange for a trip to the Mortal Realm.”
