Meta Gods War 3 by B. Miles (the ebook reader txt) 📕

told Felin about moving between the two armies and slipping past the wolves. Key and Brice stood a few feet away, their meals already finished, admiring the spear Cam had gotten Key before the wedding to Galla.

He watched the girls with a smile on his face and felt like he was home for the first time in a very long time.

It was hard to have them scattered all over the valley. He missed Galla and wished she could be with them, but he knew she was safe in the Mansion at least. This was the first time in weeks his girls had all been in the same room, and now he wondered if Brice was going to be a more permanent fixture.

“What are you smiling about?” Key asked when she noticed Cam’s gaze.

“Nothing,” he said. “Just admiring you.”

She put a hand on her hip and leaned on her spear. “I bet you are,” she said. “Can’t help yourself, can you?”

“He has a tent full of women,” Miuri said, “can you blame him? I’m sure I know what’s on his mind right now.”

“Oh, right, typical man,” Cam said. “All I think about is sex. Me big man, me want fuck little lady folk.”

“Pretty much,” Felin said. “Were you doing an impression of yourself just now? Because it was pretty good.”

Cam dipped his fingers in his beer and flicked it at Felin. She laughed and launched a wad of potatoes back at him, which he batted away.

“Is this what it’s like for you all the time?” Brice asked, her arms crossed over her chest. “I mean, for… all of you.”

“I think she’s asking if it’s always normal,” Miuri said. “And the answer is yes.”

Key slipped the cover over her spear tip then placed it down on the ground. She walked over to Cam and sat on his lap. He grinned up at her as she leaned down to kiss him and looked back at Brice, who lingered a few feet away, looking slightly unsure of herself.

“I know it’s a little odd,” Key said. “At least at first. But we’re just… a family.”

“Yeah,” Cam said. “We’re a family. And I was just thinking about how nice it is to have you all in my tent again. It’s been too long.”

“Oh god, I miss our bed,” Key said. “Don’t get me wrong, I really love sleeping on the ground under canvas every night, but that bed.”

“I know,” Miuri said. “Believe me, I’ve been dreaming about it.”

“Bed?” Brice asked.

“We have this enormous bed back at the Mansion,” Cam said. “You’re welcome to spend some time in it when this is all over.”

Brice drifted over to him. Key got out of his lap and grinned at her.

“I’d be happy to share the bed with you,” Key said.

“How generous.” Brice gave her a tight smile then looked at Miuri and Felin. “You all share one bed?”

“It’s a really big bed,” Felin said. “And it’s nice and warm with a bunch of bodies in there.”

“We don’t do a ton of sleeping, though,” Miuri said. “To be totally fair.”

Brice blushed as Key threw an arm around her shoulders. “Oh, don’t be shy,” Key said. “I mean, we all know why you’re here right now. You and Cam have a thing, right?”

“What?” Brice’s cheeks managed to turn even redder. “I mean— I don’t—”

“It’s okay,” Miuri said. “We’ve come to expect it.”

“I look forward to it,” Felin said, gesturing with her small wooden spoon. “I mean, more girls to play with? Can’t complain. But just remember that I’m the alpha.”

Key grinned and leaned closer to Brice. “We let her think that,” Key stage-whispered.

Brice looked at Cam helplessly. Cam grinned back at her and shook his head. “Leave her alone, girls,” he said. “I’m not sure she’s ready to dive in head first.”

“That’s a shame.” Key dropped her arm from Brice’s shoulder. “I won’t pretend like I haven’t noticed how you and Cam look at each other. I was sort of looking forward to you joining our little group.”

“Thank you,” Brice said, and her voice sounded about an octave higher than normal. “I appreciate… your hospitality… and your kindness, I just…”

“It’s okay, sweetie,” Miuri said. “You take your time and get used to it.”

Key walked over and flopped down on a pile of blankets and pillows Cam kept in a corner of his tent.

“Alright, we got that out of the way,” she said. “What’s the situation, General?”

Cam finished his beer and gave Brice a look. She was still bright red, but she managed to control her expression as she walked over and sat down at the table with Miuri and Felin. Miuri gave her a kind look and patted her hand, which Brice seemed to appreciate.

“I wanted to start with reports,” Cam said. “Key, how are the men?”

“Better,” she said. “Much better. After skirmishing in the vanguard for weeks, I have to admit that they’re coming together.”

“Good enough to stand up to a full out assault?” Cam asked.

She hesitated. “Motivated enough,” she said. “But good enough? I don’t know.”

Cam looked at Brice. “What about the heavy divisions?”

“They’re solid,” she said. “And ready. Eager, even, which isn’t always a good thing. But in this case, I think they know we’re going to be front and center, and a lot depends on what we do.”

“Any rumblings? Any issues?” he asked.

She shook her head. “None, especially not after what you did with Lagon. They saw you spare the lives of Lagon’s men and they respect you for it.”

Cam nodded and forced himself to ignore the surge of pride he felt. Even if a few men respected him for his clemency, the rest feared him for his justice.

“And you, Miuri?” Cam asked. “Do you think your father will make it in time?”

“If we can stall a few more days, I don’t see why not.”

He nodded and took a deep breath. “We’re ready for this, aren’t we?”

“As ready as we’ll ever be,” Key said. “I’m not sure we’ll ever be truly ready.”

“Not much of a choice