04 Shadow Blood - Witch Fairy by Bonnie Lamer Page B

his age to actually wash their hands when they’re told to.
     
    I stand on my tiptoes and give Kallen a light kiss.  “That was really sweet of you.”
     
    He wraps his arms around my waist and grins.  “I am simply trying to stay in your good graces.  Maybe if I tire you out enough swimming, you will become a sleep seductress again.”
     
    I swat at him and step back.  “We agreed not to talk about that.”
     
    “No, we agreed not to tell anyone else.  Personally, I plan to not only talk about it, but fantasize about it as well.”  He grins even wider when I give him a dirty look.
     
    “Well, you two look cozy,” Aunt Barb says as she comes down the stairs.  Oh god, did she hear what we were talking about?  I’m running the risk of foot raisins again.  She winks at me with a wicked grin when she reaches the bottom stair; that is not a good sign.  I might get all the way up to knee raisins with the amount of blood leaving my lower extremities to get to my face.  “I’m just passing through, you two go ahead and finish up your conversation.”
     
    As soon as she walks by, I bury my head against Kallen’s chest.  Which means I can feel his body shake with laughter.  As much as I don’t want to show my face, it’s worth it to push back so I can glare up at him.  He tries to stop laughing, but he’s not able to.  I turn around and stomp off to the formal dining room, not caring if he’s following me or not.
     
    The formal dining room is an 0076 ode to silver.  The white walls are decorated in an intricate, silver laced floral design that continues flawlessly around the room.  The long, Lacewood table is covered in silver dishes and silverware polished to a shine.  Even the water and wine goblets are made of silver.  It’s kind of like walking into an antique store, but it is beautiful, especially when the wall sconces are lit, like now. 
     
    Tabitha is busy carrying dishes to the table.  “Do you need help?” I ask.
     
    She smiles.  “How sweet, but no thank you, dear.  I am about done.”
     
    Apparently, Kegan didn’t get off so easily because he’s right behind her bringing in a large, covered platter.  He gives me a woe is me look behind Tabitha’s back and puts it on the table, right in the middle.  “Whatever is in here weighs a ton, Tabitha,” he complains, feigning exhaustion.  “I do not think I could lift another thing.”  Tabitha ignores him and heads back to the kitchen.
     
    “That is because you are weak, cousin,” Kallen says as he walks in the room.  “Perhaps someone with more strength should help, like Xandra.”
     
    Kegan’s mad now.  He magics a dagger out of thin air and throws it at Kallen, who easily rebuffs it with a shield he creates.  Kegan’s not satisfied, so he creates several more daggers.  Kallen decides a hasty retreat is prudent, and he backs out of the kitchen with his shield high and with Kegan hot on his heels. 
     
    It’s amazing how alike they are.  At least in looks.  Kegan has the same black hair and green eyes, and I have to admit, he has the same lean, muscular body.  If I hadn’t met Kallen first, I wonder…
     
    I shake my head to clear my mind.  Where did that thought come from?  I would never choose Kegan over Kallen.
     
    “They are both quite handsome, aren’t they?” Aunt Barb says behind me and I almost pee my pants.  I didn’t hear her come in and now she’s leaning against the doorframe between the dining room and the kitchen.  “Makes you wish you could date both of them, I bet.”
     
    I can’t help but scowl.  “No, not really.  Are you feeling okay, Aunt Barb?”  Saying something like that isn’t like her.
     
    She pushes away from the wall and laughs.  “I’m just teasing you,” she says.  A little too unconvincingly for my taste.
     
    “Okay.”  My response is as convincing as her statement was.
     
    “Xandra, really, I was just teasing.  What’s gotten into you?”