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“Better than my clothes back home. Thanks again for them.” His smile is warm, and I have to turn away from him to stop myself from kissing it.
Nyx pushes off the door frame and steps in front of Theo to stand beside me. I look up at him with annoyance. He pays me no attention and continues his path into the hall and into the serving line.
Pyke waves me over to my table where two plates and mugs already sit. He points at Theo and my heart warms.
“Theo, Pyke has your plate at the table. Come with me,” I say, looking over my shoulder at Nyx, who clenches his fists so tight that his knuckles turn white.
Theo walks to me, placing a hand briefly on the small of my back before pulling back.
“How pissed is he right now?” Theo asks with a hint of satisfaction.
“Furious,” I say with a laugh.
Pyke pulls out a chair for me with his usual bow. Theo takes the seat across from me to allow Nyx to take the place at my side.
“Ale?” Theo asks, sniffing the mug.
I nod, taking a sip. The bold hops burst on my tongue, leaving notes of chocolate and spices in their wake. Its warmth calms my nerves instantly, so I take several gulps.
Lowering my mug, I glimpse Theo watching me, eyebrows raised and mug to his mouth. He chuckles and drinks his ale. When he places his mug down, he starts to look about the hall.
The hair on the back of my neck rises. Slowly, I glance around the hall but stop when I find Kira glaring at me from where she sits with Marcus and Silas. Her cold, unblinking stare causes a sense of unease deep in my stomach.
Watch yourself, Kira.
I give a slight shake of my head, trying to convey a warning. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but the look of disgust on her face tells me everything I need to know. She doesn’t want to know or understand what’s happening with Theo. She wants to hate him.
We dig into our meal of thinly sliced beef with green and red peppers, all piled atop fluffy rice covered in brown sauce. The flavors complement each other, melting in my mouth.
A moan of approval comes from Theo, and I watch him eat, enjoying the movement of his mouth. He swallows and clears his throat, his cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
“It’s fantastic.” His words are clipped as he digs into his food.
I nod in agreement and return to my meal as Nyx joins us.
I struggle to keep my eyes off Theo throughout dinner. He looks truly happy, a sight I never expected to see during his time in Umbra. His smile is bright and all-consuming. His laugh is genuine, and he seems to get along with many people within The Keep.
I’m hoping this means that our little outing broke through to him, and he’s finally seeing Umbra how I want him to. My heart sings at the thought of him being here like this with me forever. But he’s not mine to keep, regardless of the fates pulling us back together.
Pyke serves us a dessert of small, rounded chocolate cakes, only big enough for one person. Each topped with cream and chocolate shavings. Theo stares at the oddity, assessing it before picking it up and shoving half of it in his mouth.
I gawk at him and the ferocity with which he’s eating the cake. He catches me watching and pulls his mouth away from the dessert. My laugh booms through the hall as I look at Theo. He has cream smeared from cheek to cheek as if he has a new smile.
Nyx’s eyes shoot toward me, confused by my outburst, but when he notices, he laughs too. Theo fakes annoyance as he wipes his face and finishes his cake.
“Where are they going?” Theo uses his head to gesture at a group of people who are heading outside.
“Let me show you.” I push past Nyx, who is standing far too close, and follow the crowd outside through the back door and over the rocks.
In the clearing, a bonfire lights the space. People sit around the fire enjoying the heat on this cool evening.
Two tables bearing various fruits and nuts for late night snacking are set off to the side. Mugs of ale and Fati wine are being carefully poured by one of the kitchen crew at the other table.
Musicians have set up on the other side of the clearing, playing a mix of songs to keep people dancing for hours. The energy is lively and jovial as everyone comes alive for a night of celebration. Light and shadows dance in rhythm with the music. I smile at the thought of Thalos joining us for tonight’s festivities.
Laughter and the crackling of the fire fill the air and warm my heart. Nyx continues to put himself between Theo and me at every opportunity. While I understand his concern, that doesn’t decrease the desire to shove him into the pool of nobu.
Occasionally I’ll feel eyes on me, and I know it’s Kira, somewhere in the crowd, grimacing at my proximity to Theo. I’m sure she has seen the two of us sneaking glances at each other.
