The Lightning-Struck Heart (Tales From Verania 1)

“Oh, you are in so much trouble,” he said when we came into sight.

Okay, maybe not the best ever. Like eighth best.

“Hush, my good man,” I told him. “I’m strolling in. Triumphantly.”

“Yeah. You were supposed to be strolling in here two days ago.”

“Bah.”

“You gonna tell me what happened?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Morgan is going to have your head.”

“Told you he was gonna be pissed,” Gary said as he came to a stop in front of Pete. Pete pulled out some bits of apple that he always saved for Gary. “You’re my favorite,” Gary told him. “Sam got captured again.”

Pete smiled wildly.

“You fickle bitch,” I said. “Everyone’s your favorite when they give you something.”

“Can’t hear you,” Gary said through a mouthful of apple. “Too busy eating deliciousness that was saved just for me.”

“I want apple,” Tiggy said, and so Pete pulled a Marcanian Red out of his pack. It was the size of his hand, and I knew he’d brought it specifically for Tiggy. Tiggy grinned and took it from him. “I love you, tiny human.” Tiggy patted Pete’s head before biting the apple in half, core and all. “I save Sam from capture.”

“I’m glad you all are so easily swayed by fruit,” I said with a glare. “Your loyalties are shockingly disloyal.”

“Morgan wanted to see you as soon as you got back,” Pete said. “You know how much he hates waiting.”

“Scale of one to I’m-fucked?” I asked.

“Eh,” Pete said. “Beyond fucked, maybe?”

I groaned. “Not my fault.”

“It never is,” Pete assured me. “Best get in and get it over with.”

“You’ll protect me, won’t you?” I asked him, giving him the big eyes.

“Get in there,” he said with a grin. “I’ll see you later for dinner at the castle. Supposed to be some big to-do tonight.”

I hadn’t heard anything about a feast before I’d left the week before. It was a good thing we’d gotten back when we did. If I’d missed the celebration, it would have reflected badly on Morgan. “For what?”

Pete shrugged. “Promotions, I think. Of the knights. Maybe a certain knight in particular?”

And my mouth went dry and I’m pretty sure I had half a boner. “Sweet molasses,” I breathed.

“Priorities,” Gary reminded me before glancing back at Pete. “Sam said he doesn’t have time for a boyfriend, much less Knight Delicious Face.”

“Remind me why you call him that?” Pete asked.

“Uh, pretty simple, Pete,” I said. “He’s a knight. And his face is delicious.”

“And you’ve told him this?”

I found the ground interesting to look at. “Shut up, Pete. I don’t care. Shut up. I don’t even know you. So shut up with your mouth.”

“Sam a sad Sam,” Tiggy said succinctly.