Seventh Seal - Jacquelyn Faye Page 0,36

have."

"Have what?"

"Discussed the addition."

"You did?"

"I did."

"Don't you think you should have consulted me first?"

"To what avail? You would have balked and procrastinated. I made sure all of them were okay with it before I invited him to dinner. Now he is here. You are here. You can make a decision without worrying about what anybody else thinks. The ball is…in your court?"

"You're a mother fucking pimp." I pouted and crossed my arms.

"No. That would infer that you, my master, is a whore."

"No. I'm the john. He's the whore." I pointed at Ellis.

Ellis looked confused. "I'm a whore?"

"Metaphorically."

"Oh, good. For I have not lain with a woman. I did not see how that would be possible." Shea handed him a glass of wine as he sat.

"Shut the fuck up. You're a virgin?" I blinked at him. Several times. Maybe even a hundred.

"You saw the lack of females in my land? I have had many lovers, but none that were not male."

I looked at Dar.

He looked at me. And so help me, fucking goddess, he grinned.

"I suppose I could be a man whore," Ellis added thoughtfully, taking a sip of his wine and coughing.

"Are we going to eat?" I rubbed the bridge of my nose and focused on anything but the half-naked dark elf on the other side of the table. It was probably safer that way.

"Let me get the meat," Shea said and walked back into kitchen.

"You already did," I mumbled to myself.

Dar nearly choked on his wine as Ellis smiled at everyone confusedly. It was going to be a very long night.

You should have talked to me first, Dar.

I am not forcing you to sleep with him, Master. I have simply removed any inhibitions that might have stopped you from choosing for yourself. Bed him or do not. The choice is yours.

Eat the steak I have laid out in front of you, or don't. I thought snidely at him. But here is a napkin and some utensils in case you're hungry.

I'm glad you understand.

"Wait! I am a steak, not a whore?"

"You could hear us?" I stared at Ellis.

"Clearly," he answered, a blush on his dark cheeks.

"As could I, Lady," Shea answered from the kitchen.

Me, too. Yuki's thought interjected itself into the conversation.

"Dinner is served," Shea said and lifted the cover off the pan, sliding the sliced rare meat atop the delicious looking potatoes surrounded by carrots and other veggies I didn't recognize.

The meat gave a little hiss as the cold mixed with the hot. The juices on the venison began to run as they touched the warmth beneath it, bathing the other offerings with flavor. Over that, he took a tiny metal boat and poured a thick red liquid over everything. It looked like blood but smelled like wine. My stomach growled, or maybe it was just me.

"Fuck, that smells good."

"Thank you, Lady."

"Dar, would you serve?" Shea ran his hand over Dar's shoulder.

"Yes, Dear." He chuckled and stood. "Ladies first," he said and forked a couple of slices of meat onto my plate and then filled the rest with potatoes and vegetables.

I tried to wait patiently as he served the rest of them, but I couldn't help but dip my finger in the sauce and slowly bring it to my tongue. It exploded with flavor. "Woah."

"You like the reduction?" Shea sipped his wine, watching me intently.

"If there's any left, I might be pouring it over you later."

He laughed. "I shall make some more. Unless you find one of the desserts preferable."

"Dessert?"

"Grand Marnier Chocolate Souffle."

"I'm moving in."

"We would love that," Shea said sweetly, beaming at me over the table.

Once Dar filled his plate, he nodded and I practically swiped the fork and curved knife off the napkin by my plate, cutting a sliver of meat off and letting it melt in my mouth.

"Is it good? Try it with a bit of fondant potato."

"Good doesn't even begin to describe this succulent meal," I managed to stammer as I tried a bit of each of the items, not bothering to wait as I praised it. It was literally the best food I had ever eaten.

Shea couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he picked at his food. Dar kept shooting glances at me and grinning. Ellis… Ellis was staring at me adoringly the whole meal. Even after the plates were cleared.

"Dessert?"

"Wait a bit," I answered Shea, rubbing my tummy.

"Coffee?"

"Now I'm never leaving."

"Your plan worked, Dar." Shea nodded at him.

"She was rather easy to trap. No sport at all. Shall we move to