Page 92 of Crimson Kingdom
A sound between a whimper and a groan escaped me, and he chuckled against my mouth, backing away slowly and lowering me to the ground.
“I told you once before, two can play at that game, Lemmikki.” Amusement lit up the silver streaks in his pale gray eyes.
But I was not amused. “You.Aalio.”
“You started it.” He shrugged, turned to his trunks, and pulled out a full bottle of vodka.
I glared at his back, something he pretended not to notice, even when he turned to face me.
“Shall we, Lemmikki?” He gestured for us to go into the hallway.
The man was far too satisfied with himself. But no matter, because I was brainstorming ways to get him back before the door even shut behind us.
Gallagher was already shuffling a deck of cards by the time we pushed open the door to Davin’s rooms.
Avani looked at the bottle in Evander’s hands and gasped. “Is that?”
“It is,” I nodded.
“Good man.” She smiled.
Davin waved us toward the two empty seats with a wry grin in my direction. Clearly, they had expected us both tonight.
Gallagher dealt the cards while Evander poured everyone but Gwyn a glass of vodka.
“So,” Evander looked at Davin after play began. “If Rowan has weather, and Gallagher has healing, what’s your affinity?”
Davin scoffed like it was obvious. “The ladies.”
“Honestly, Dav,” Gwyn punched him in the arm.
“It comes through Aunt Charlie and Uncle Finn,” Davin admitted, “so I don’t have the woo woo powers.”
He waved toward the tops of his ears, which were perfectly rounded compared to the subtly pointed tips of the rest of ours.
Evander reached out a hand to tuck my hair behind my ear, then traced the barely pointed arch. I swallowed, trying not to outwardly react to him in a room full of my family.
But as usual, his expression told me I had failed.
With a small smirk, he looked at Gwyn. “Yours is clearly speed, or perhaps reflexes?”
She gave a proud nod. “A combination of the two.”
“And you…” He turned to my sister, face contemplative.
Avani stared back like she was curious to see what he came up with. She was usually better than the rest of us at hiding her abilities.
“Your horse has reins, but you didn’t use them. And...the birds were silent yesterday. Something with animals?”
She nodded, evidently impressed. “Very good, Lord Evander.”
“Just Evander,” he corrected gently.
“Though as of tomorrow, it will be Prince Evander,” Davin commented.
“He actually prefers Van Van,” I stage-whispered.
“I do not,” he responded. “But I do go by Van sometimes. Just Van.” He looked at me pointedly, and I gave him an innocent shrug.