A Fey New World (The Godhunter #32) - Amy Sumida Page 0,55

That peace lasted until I entered the dining hall and the sound of children, lions, nurials, Imps, and magical men greeted me. The entire pride had come down to welcome my family to Pride Palace and the werelions who had not been there the night before were met with a gaggle of grinning Imps in addition to the faerie princes they'd been expecting. The lions decided to make breakfast, but the Imps wanted to help and the ensuing conglomeration of techno-magic, daddy-determination, and Intare-ingenuity resulted in a cacophony and chaotic mess that made me wince.

“What in all of the Hells is going on?” I shouted over the din.

“We made a muffin machine!” Meilyr, one of the Imps declared proudly.

“We were going to have pancakes, but Uncle Re said he'd make his muffins, but then the Gremlins said they could make better muffins, but—” Lesya started to drone on.

“Gremlins, eh?” I cut her off.

“Like the movie!” Vero shouted. “They said that's their other name.”

“It is,” I confirmed. “But they are not Mogwai. Those are Chinese demons. Or, at least, that's what the myths—”

“Mommy, don't ruin it,” Lesya chided.

I blinked at her as everyone else chuckled.

“Well, pardon me for trying to teach you something, young lioness,” I huffed as I went forward, through the crowd, to inspect the muffin machine. “Where did you even get the parts for this thing?”

The machine wasn't that large, perhaps the size of two microwaves set side by side, but it gave the impression of something much grander. Gears whirred and magic glinted within its metal depths. Heat and the scent of chocolate wafted out from it. I peered through a glass panel and saw a tray of muffins moving along a conveyor belt.

“Wait, I know that glass panel.” I narrowed my stare at the Imps, and they yipped and scattered. “Did you take apart my microwave?”

“You can make new one, Tima,” Kirill reminded me with a soft smile. “They wanted to help.”

I grimaced at the Gremlins. “All right. Well, are there any muffins finished?”

A little pair of furry, claw-tipped hands thrust a plate of muffins at me, sliding it between Kirill and Re. Re snagged a muffin as it passed him. Scotaidh's eyes peered up at me hopefully as I selected a chocolate chip muffin. I peeled back the paper cup and took a bite. Everyone went quiet. I chewed thoughtfully, drawing out the tension.

“Oh, for flame's sake, Vervain,” Arach huffed and grabbed the muffin from me. “They're fantastic and you know it.” He took a bite and made a murmur of delight.

“Hey!” I took it back. “There's an entire tray-full right there. Get your own, you thievin' dragon!”

The children laughed as the Imps cheered and rushed into the kitchen to grab more supplies. As the tide of Gremlins withdrew, Isleen stepped forward. She had a smudge of chocolate on her lip.

“Good morning, my Queen,” Isleen inclined her head at me.

“Um, you have a little chocolate.” I motioned at my lip. “Just there.”

“Oh.” Her tongue darted out and licked the chocolate away, then she gave me a childlike grin. “Thank you.”

With shock, I realized that Isleen was feeling a little of what I had felt earlier—joy. I thought about it. In the God Realm, she'd have no responsibilities. Isleen could do whatever she wished without worrying about the kingdom. She could get a hobby or a new god boyfriend—one who wouldn't be—

“Isleen!” Lugh's voice seemed to come straight out of my memories.

I mean, it had to be a memory because there was no way that Lugh could be there. In my dining hall. After the Faerie Realm had been sealed.

“Where is she?” Lugh demanded. “Let me through! Isleen! Isleen!”

The crowd parted and the High Prince of Faerie bolted through the passage. All of us gaped at the frantic man. His shining hair hung about his thick shoulders in tangles, a wild look haunted his eyes, and his nose was as red as Rudolph's. His golden stare finally found its target and latched onto her. He ran to Isleen and swept her up in a passionate kiss.

“Is everyone else seeing this?” I asked, my reclaimed muffin hanging forgotten in my hand.

“Yep,” Viper confirmed. “Lugh is lip-locked with Isleen.”

Isleen shoved her way out of the kiss and glared at Lugh. “What have you done?!”

Lugh blinked at her for a moment before another voice, this one female, interrupted.

“It didn't work.”

I spun around to watch Ethniu walk up. The goddess looked nothing like her son, who had pulled almost exclusively