Little Red (Not Quite the Fairy Tale #5) by May Sage Read Free Book Online Page B

and that the arm she had been touching was quite suddenly covered by a thick layer of ice. He just sighed and mouthed a silent “she’s pregnant” with an apologetic look.
    Lana took a cautionary step back.
    “Come, dearest witch. We’ll get you chocolate. Lana, if you’d lead the way.”
    There were plenty of coffee shops in the center of Crystalia, but instead, Lana led them to Tarina’s.
    Eira’s gaze took it all in when they entered the shop, and she started to cry.
    Oh hell. 
    “There, there, darling,” her husband breathed, gently stroking her back.
    “This is the nicest place in the world. I want one in Skadia, Kai.”
    “Of course you can have one.”
    The man was very wise.
     
    While Tarina’s was a chocolatier, by trade, they also made cakes, cookies, and pretty much anything as long as it could be stuffed with chocolate. Half of the shop had been cleared to leave room for tables around which people drank the most deliciously thick and decadent hot choc’ in the world.
    Customers could look at the displays of goodies and point out which chocolate they wanted to melt and blend in their drinks; the products were ridiculously expensive, and well and truly worth it.
    Skadia should have one of those shops, especially if the discussion went well and Lana was allowed to move there with her pack.
    They’d just sat down, after ordering the biggest bowls of deliciousness available, with a side of buttery pasties, when Lana stiffened; her smell hadn’t betrayed her, this time: she identified Chase just before he entered the shop.
    Oh, great. She dropped her head, and pulled her hood up, hoping he wouldn’t notice her, but well, the damn thing was kinda bold red, and she was right in his line of sight, so he saw her about three seconds after walking in.
    Brilliant. Just what she needed.
    She forced a smile she hoped could pass for amicable, praying that he’d do the same and move on.
    No such luck. He walked right to her.
    “Lana. I was hoping to catch you last week, before…”
    He took in her company, seeming confused at first. Then, his eyes darkened.
    “Kai and Eira of Skadia,” he said, sounding rather cold.
    The goddess was undeterred, fully immersed in her drink, but the elf answered the glare directed to him with one of his own.
    “And you would be?”
    “Chase Hunter. Prince of this kingdom. I haven’t been informed of your arrival.”
    “That would be because our visit was unplanned, and will be quite short, by all estimation,” he replied just as frostily. “Besides, I didn’t realize we might need to inform your authorities of our presence. The contract your Queen has signed stated no such thing.”
    Chase must have realized he was being quite rude; he moved the corners of his mouth upwards, shaping it into something that could have passed for a smile, a grimace or the imitation of a chimpanzee. In any case, it was scary.
    “Of course, pardon my surprise. There’s no need to announce yourself. You’re welcome in Enom. Brief as your visit might be, I hope you would consider stopping by the palace; I do know my grandmother has been fascinated by your history since we heard of it.” 
    This was politically correct Chase; he said just the right things. If they’d been on speaking terms,  Lana would have suggested acting lessons: diplomacy might be easier if he managed to conceal his desire to rip a foreign dignitary’s head off.
    “I’d like to talk, Lana, if you would.”
    Oh hell. She couldn’t very well say never in a million years and seem like a reasonable person in front of those who might soon become her sovereigns.
    “Of course. I’ll get my secretary to schedule an appointment.”
    She smirked as his lips pressed in a thin line.
    “It won’t take long. If your highnesses would excuse us.”
    On this note, like an absolute heathen, he just grabbed her arm and pulled her up on her feet, before dragging her out of the building.
    Don’t act like a lunatic around the