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They finally emerged onto a long bough wider than his house at the Order. Rows of tables with stools accommodated attendees and their wings as they enjoyed small bites. A curtain of draping branches made a wall on one side of the bough. All tables faced the side open to the starry sky, so it was likely a stage for an aerial performance.
A steward walked up to Leaf and Nova with a tray of bubbling drinks.
“Where is the Prime’s table?” Leaf asked.
“She hasn’t arrived, but Raven will show you to your seat, D’arn.”
Another steward with dark hair and wings appeared and held out her hand to Nova. “May I take your cape?”
“She will get cold,” Leaf grumbled.
“Honey,” Nova replied, smiling tightly at Leaf. “I’m feeling quite warm tonight, so yes, Raven—take my cape.”
Honey?
His brow raised, but Nova ignored him. She unlaced her cape and peeled it from her shoulders. The gaze of every male in their proximity landed on her seductive form. He glared at them until they looked away.
“Follow me,” Raven said, taking the cape.
ChapterTwenty-Two
With tension tightening his shoulders, Leaf placed a palm on Nova’s lower back and held that glare as they walked through the collection of tables. Halfway across the bough, they crossed smooth parquetry that would likely become a dance floor. More tables were set on the other side.
“Nova,” a male voice called out.
Leaf stilled as Storm rose from his seat, staring at Nova with obvious delight. Nova grinned and waved in return. Something insidious crawled through Leaf’s heart at the exchange.
“No time to dawdle,” he growled low, pushing Nova onward. He didn’t stop until they arrived at an empty table toward the tip of the bough.
Raven gestured for them to sit.
“Where is the Prime,” Leaf snapped.
“I’m not privy to the Prime’s personal—”
“This is unacceptable.”
“Honey,” Nova hushed.
His voice had risen above the conversation, and a few hard stares had been tossed his way. Raven hand-signed her apology, muttered about finding out, and rushed to the edge of the bough to fly out.
Leaf shook his head. “If she’s trying to evade us again, I swear to the Well…”
“Oh, pipe down.” Nova scowled at him. “It’s bad enough they stare at you because of a reputation, and then you give them something to stare about. You didn’t even let me say hello.”
A heat wave rose up Leaf’s neck, hitting his ears and making them twitch. It felt suspiciously like shame. Frowning at himself, he pulled out Nova’s stool and made sure she was on the furthest side from the main group of attendees—the side where not much else existed but a curtain of foliage.
As she sat, he grumpily tested the curtain wall behind them. The foliage connected with the bough, securing the backdrop. At least they wouldn’t fall through to their deaths. Forcing himself to exhale, he sat beside Nova and glared at the main crowd.
In the silence that followed, Nova polished off her wine and looked for more. When no steward noticed her gesturing for more, she sighed.
“I will find you another glass,” Leaf offered, partly rising from his chair.
“It’s fine,” she clipped.
“You are mad.” He sat back down.
“We are meant to be in love. Stop scowling at me.”
