The Hob (The Gray Court 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

welcome was unto this feast,
    And merry they were all;
    He play’d and sung sweet songs all day,
    At night to sports did fall.
    He first did put the candles out,
    And being in the dark,
    Some would he strike, and some would pinch,
    And then sing like a lark.
    The candles being light againe,
    And things well and quiet,
    A goodly posset was brought in
    To med their former diet.
    Then Robin for to have the same
    Did turn him to a beare;
    Straight at that sight the people all
    Did run away for feare. ”
    Michaela bit her lip to keep from laughing. “He was hungry.”
    “Hungry. Uh–huh.”
    Michaela grinned. “What about the time he saved a woman from her lecherous uncle by tricking said uncle into writing down his consent for her marriage to her true love? Remember, Oberon gave Robin a scroll that said he was not to harm any who didn’t truly deserve it.”
    “Oh, please. He played pranks on everyone, never mind if they deserved it or not.” Amanda flopped back down in her seat and sipped her skinny. “Besides, it’s only when Oberon is listed as Puck’s father that he gets that scroll. All the others, he’s just another hobgoblin.”
    “Then why was he so closely linked with Robin Hood?” Michaela chalked that one up to a victory.
    At least until the girls burst into laughter. “You can’t actually believe that.”
    Amanda was laughing so hard she almost dropped her skinny. “That’s been disproven by numerous scholars.”
    Michaela’s grin didn’t slip. If anything, it became sweeter.
    “ Amongst the rest, was a good fellow devil,
    So-called in kindness, ’cause he did no evil,
    Known by the name of Robin (as we hear)
    And that his eyes as bigge as sawcers were,
    Who came a nights, and would make kitchens cleane
    And in the bed bepinch a lazie queane… ”
    “And now you’re quoting Thomas Rowland. Seriously, your obsession with Puck is getting ridiculous.” Stella twirled her empty cup between her hands.
    “You’re the one writing a thesis on how evil he truly was, and that was why he was equated with Satan.” Michaela threw her napkin at Stella’s head. She was only doing it just to prove her point once and for all. “He wasn’t. He was a good guy.”
    “He was a rotten bastard who pinched women’s butts, which makes him a skanky, sexist asshole.” Amanda stood, her skinny mocha in her hand. “Listen, I’d love to sit here and argue with you some more about Puck the Magic Grab–hands, but I’ve got to get to work.”
    “Me too.” Stella threw her empty cup in the trash and shook her head. “You know what you need, Mick?”
    “Here we go.” Michaela rolled her eyes. Stella knew how much she hated being called Mick. She only did it when she was losing an argument.
    “You need a real man in your bed, not some goat-faced, fuzzy fantasy.”
    “Oh man. I never thought of that. Mick is a fuzzy.” Amanda’s eyes widened dramatically. “Please tell me you don’t get turned on by My Little Ponies.”
    Michaela sighed and banged her head on the table. “I hate you all.”
    “Oh my God. I bet she has a thing for Twilight Sparkle.” Amanda’s voice shook, and Michaela knew the bitch was trying desperately not to laugh. “Or maybe Rarity. She always did go for the pretty ones.”
    Stella tilted her head. “Wouldn’t that make her a lesbian fuzzy?”
    Amanda choked on her last sip of mocha. “You’re a lesbian too?”
    Michaela pointed toward the front door without even raising her head. “Go!”
    “You think you know your friends,” Amanda muttered, making her way to the door.
    “Later, Mick.”
    “Bye, guys.” Michaela raised her head and waved to her friends as they headed out the door. “And I am not a fuzzy!”
    “I’m glad to hear that.”
    Oh, shit. Kael and his totally hot friend were standing next to her table. The friend was silently laughing, his hand covering his mouth in an oddly familiar gesture. Kael had his hand around the dark-haired man’s arm, holding