The Warrior Blood narrowed his eyes, giving a succinct answer. “None where an Elemental Fae would be welcome.”
Lance puffed his chest up, taking that for the challenge it was. I bit my lip, wondering if I should intervene before the hotheaded Fire Fae had his ass handed to him.
When I was about to get up, Titus pushed a present under my nose that smelled of… a sort of cinnamon?
My stomach pitched.
Normally, I liked cinnamon, even the fae variety, but I wasn’t sure I could handle more fae food right now. My stomach was already rolling from the food my mates had put on my plate, and I’d barely touched it.
So, yeah, trying something new did not appeal to me right now.
“It’s from my family,” he explained, obviously proud of the gift. “You did remember to pack it correctly, right?” he asked Lance pointedly.
His brother rolled his eyes. While his muscular build reminded me of Titus, he had a harsher edge to him, taking after their father more, whereas Titus more closely resembled their mother. “It’s exactly as you instructed,” the younger Fire Fae assured him before turning back to a still-uninterested Zephyrus.
Titus gave the package a light shake, then planted it in my lap. “Open it,” he encouraged me, keeping his lips close to the curve of my neck as he brushed my hair aside.
I smiled and undid the tie, then unwrapped the shiny red foil to reveal an adorable little cinnamon cake etched with glowing embers.
“Will it burn me if I try to eat it?” I asked, my stomach churning. I really hoped this didn’t make me sick.
How humiliating would it be to vomit at my own nesting party? Ugh.
I loved when Titus surprised me with new fae treats, but this couldn’t have been worse timing.
Titus brought the treat to my mouth and swayed it under my nose, causing my insides to churn in protest.
Yeah, this wasn’t going to work.
“It’s a fire cake,” he explained, oblivious to my agony. “I think our little faeling will love…”
Just when I felt like the contents of my stomach were about to come up, the cake erupted into a massive flame, making everyone shriek.
Shit. Did I do that?
I most certainly hadn’t cast any magic, but the fire element that burned the gift to a crisp—literally—had come from me.
Or… from within me.
Pyros barked out a laugh. “Now that’s a fire cake. Nice.”
“But I didn’t—” I protested while Titus stormed over to his father.
“Do you think this is some sort of joke?” Titus boomed. “Why are you here if you’re going to ruin
everything?”
Titus’s father puffed out his chest. “I didn’t burn your cake, if that’s what you’re implying.” He landed a hand on Lance’s shoulder, making the fae flinch. “Although, it was pretty funny, wouldn’t you say, Lance?”
The younger Fire Fae did not appear to be laughing at all, nor did he seem amused by his father’s hand on his shoulder.
“I’m afraid it’s my fault,” Cyrus interjected. “I rather detest fire cakes. It’s a Water Fae thing. Maybe Claire is taking on some of my preferences during the pregnancy?”
Titus frowned, but the suggestion wasn’t enough to cool him off.
Gina held up a package she’d plucked from under the tree. “Oh, look, a present from Sol’s family!” she announced. She hurried to me and brushed away the drifting ash before dropping the gift onto my lap. She leaned down and whispered, “A distraction will keep the Fire Fae from blowing up.”
Titus grumbled but returned to my side as I unwrapped the item. The decorative tissue held a large green leaf. I held it up to the light. “Do I, uh, eat this, too?” I asked, afraid it might erupt into flames like the last edible item did.