Hyacinth, Scarlet - Fire of the Four Seasons (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) Read Online Free PDF Page A

another request from Eva. As soon as Alexei entered the kitchen in hope of getting breakfast, she pounced on him. “The strawberries spoiled overnight,” she cried. “I did n’t even manage to eat too many.”
    Alexei mental ly groaned. “So now I have to go get more?” he asked, exasperated. This game of Eva’s started to wear on him.
    To Alexei’s surprise, Eva shook her head. “No. I’m sick of strawberries,” she said, contradicting her own apparent dismay. “But I’d love some apples. Would you be a dear and fetch me some?”
    Apples? Now she wanted apples? Alexei wanted to shake the stupidity out of her. “Fine,” he said, “but this is the last thing I’m getting for you.”
    It made him uncomfortable to ask for things from the four men over and over. Strange ly , he felt that by doing so, he disappointed them. He did n’t know why or how, but they’d treated him with such affection and generosity. They’d saved his life and granted him marvelous gifts. They’d shown him magic and passion. How could he continue to take advantage of their good will? As much as they claimed a few kisses were enough as payment, Alexei did n’t think it would ever be true.
    Elga did n’t look surprised when, at breakfast, Eva bragged about the promise she’d extracted from Alexei. She did , however, frown when Eva complained about Alexei’s threat. “I don’t see why you would refuse your sister. It’s clear ly no hardship for you to go and get the things she requires.”
    “I’m sorry, Mama, but I can’t agree with you,” he replied. “This is the last time I’m going there, and I won’t be swayed.”
    Elga’s eyes widened. Alexei had never talked back to her, but he’d never felt so strong ly about something either. She looked like she wanted to say something, but Igor stopped her. “Good for you, son. I tru ly don’t want you scampering around the forest for flowers and whatnot.”
    Eva’s eyes shone with unshed tears, but this time, she did n’t cry like before. Alexei guessed she thought she could change his mind eventual ly , manipulate him into comp ly ing like she always did . Alexei let her believe what he wanted. He’d made his decision.
    After breakfast, Alexei took the road to the forest once again. He almost feared to see the four men again. Three times, Eva had asked him for something absurd, and three times, Alexei had appealed to them for help. There were so many things Alexei wanted to ask them, and yet, he always ended up demanding items instead.
    The horse unerring ly led him to the forest, and this time found the grove with reasonable ease. When they reached the familiar spot, the men once more appeared out of the blue. “Well, well,” Ly etah said. “If it isn’t our dear Alexei. What does your sister want now?”
    Alexei couldn’t look at him. “Apples,” he murmured. He dismounted, keeping his eyes on the ground at all times.
    Silence fell over the grove at his less than enthusiastic answer. Alexei felt Ly etah approach, and then the blond placed a finger under Alexei’s chin, gent ly forcing their gazes to meet. “What is it, solnyshko moyo ? Why do you look so down?”
    “I don’t know,” Alexei murmured. “No, that ’s not right. I do know. It’s just not right to just come here and take advantage of your kindness like this.”
    Ly etah smirked at him. “It’s not like we don’t get anything out of it.”
    Alexei broke away from Ly etah, disheartened. He couldn’t expect them to understand. He did n’t understand it himself.
    Ohsyn wrapped his arms around him, and his warmth cast away some of the s had ows in Alexei’s mind. “It’s all right, Alexei. If our little exchanges bother you, we don’t have to do it.”
    Zimah nodded. Silent ly , he once again made the snow vanish. Ohsyn brief ly stepped away from Alexei and made an elaborate gesture in the air and toward the ground. The trees flourished once again, the branches heavy and laden with fruit.