Copper Ravens by Jennifer Allis Provost Read Free Book Online Page B

might, convinced that he’d be the one apologizing from behind his swollen lip.
    And then I was beneath him, pinned immobile to the bed.
    â€œThat wasn’t fair!” I shouted.
    â€œWasn’t it?” His silver eyes danced, but I’d had enough.
    â€œWhy can’t you take me seriously?” I burst out. “This isn’t some kind of joke!”
    Instantly, he relaxed his hold. “My Sara,” he murmured, “I am not treating it as one. But you must understand, lo—”
    Using what I’d just learned, I took advantage of Micah’s distracted state and bucked my hips upward. As Micah fell forward and tried to steady himself with his left arm, I pushed his right shoulder and flipped him onto his back. I don’t know who was more amazed: me, because that little move had worked, or Micah, for the exact same reason. As I looked down at him, his confused expression quickly gave way to indignation. Not trusting those sinewy arms, I set my knee close to his throat. “Understand what, love?” I purred. Micah didn’t reply and man, did he look peeved. I leaned down and kissed him, at first just as an apology, but I didn’t protest when he had me beneath him again. I considered it a well-earned reward for showing up the teacher.
    Later, we snuggled while my fingertips sketched patterns on his chest. “So, I can have a sword?”
    â€œYou may have a sword,” Micah replied, pressing a kiss to my temple. “We shall visit the smith in the village and order one.”
    â€œCan’t you just magic one up?”
    â€œI could, but if you are to be armed, I would rather it be with a sword made by one with an intimate understanding of weaponry.”
    â€œA special sword, then? Just for me?” Before Micah could reply, there was a knock at the door. Micah called for them to enter; it was a group of silverkin, of course, greeting their master and informing him of his impending day. As Shep chattered away, I noticed some of the other ’kin readying Micah’s fancy clothes. “Are we going somewhere?”
    â€œI must meet with the Elemental lords,” he replied, without meeting my eyes. I understood why he was uncomfortable; this was obviously a meeting of some import, and as a mere consort, I wasn’t invited. Little did Micah realize, I liked not being invited to over half of these boring events. I much preferred being bored at the manor.
    â€œIs it about the Gold Queen?” I asked, trying to distract Micah from the fact that I wasn’t going. Or from him getting the bright idea to take me along anyway.
    â€œYes,” he replied. “Oriana’s well-being is at the forefront of all our thoughts.”
    â€œOriana, what?”
    Micah looked up, his head tilted to the side.
    â€œOriana has only one name? No family name?” I asked.
    â€œMonarchs are usually only known by a single name,” Micah replied.
    â€œBut, you’re a Silverstrand,” I pointed out.
    â€œAnd, as you may have noticed, I am not a queen,” he replied with a wink. I blushed at that and forced a laugh to hide it. “Raintree. Oriana’s family name is Raintree.”
    â€œOh,” I murmured. “That’s a pretty name.”
    â€œOriana’s situation illustrates why heirs are so important among Elementals,” Micah continued. Great. Back to babies, and before breakfast, at that. “A large family can help one gain and hold the throne.”
    â€œI thought all those of metal would stand together,” I said. “Or at least, wouldn’t all those of gold support Oriana?”
    â€œOne can turn upon their own nature to support another, such as what occurred when Ferra captured Oriana,” Micah explained. “I don’t know if I’ve ever told you, but none of Oriana’s children survived to adulthood. That tragedy was one of the many reasons Ferra, along with her supporters, sought