I continued down the sidewalk, toward the coffee shop.The silence between us stretched long and heavy, each step filled with questions I didn’t ask.Why bother when I knew he wouldn’t answer?
We reached the door of the coffee shop, and I hesitated, my hand on the handle.Rathiel stopped beside me, his gaze fixed on the door, but I could feel his awareness of me, of the tension between us.I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, the familiar scent of coffee and baked goods washing over me like a balm.
Inside, the shop was quiet, the early hour ensuring a slow trickle of customers.I tossed my bag into the back room and grabbed my apron, tying it around my waist with practiced ease.Rathiel moved to the same spot as yesterday, settling in with the air of someone who had all the time in the world to watch and wait.His eyes, though, were on me, tracking my every move with that unnerving intensity that made my skin prickle.
After learning that Jazz had called out for the day—much to my dismay—I busied myself with the morning prep, grateful for the distraction.Grinding coffee beans, setting out pastries, wiping down counters—mundane tasks that kept my hands busy while my mind spun in circles.No matter how hard I tried to focus on the job at hand, my thoughts kept drifting back to Rathiel, to the questions that still hung in the air between us.
I just wish I knew how to get him to give me answers.Maybe I could pin him down and force him to talk.No, my body liked that idea a bit too much.A training session, then?Obviously, we hadn’t sparred in a very long time.Maybe I just needed to get his blood pumping to get the words flowing.It was certainly an idea, one I found myself actually entertaining.
The morning rush began to pick up, and I threw myself into the work, forcing myself to smile and chat with the customers as if nothing was amiss.But every time I glanced over at Rathiel, I found him watching me, his gaze never wavering.At least it didn’t bother me anymore—apparently, I was adjusting to his presence.Lucky me.
By the time the morning rush began to slow, I was running on autopilot, my body moving through the familiar motions of serving coffee and handing out pastries.I leaned against the counter and let out a breath.It would pick up again around lunch, when people needed their second dose of liquid caffeine.But until then, I could take time to regroup.
I had to mentally prepare for my date with Jack tonight.I hadn’t explicitly told Rathiel about it, but one could assume he’d overheard me and Jazz discussing it yesterday.I’d been hoping for Jazz’s help to pick out a dress.She wasn’t here, though.Which left me one option—an option I was hesitant to explore after last night.But what choice did I have?Rathiel refused to leave me unsupervised, and I needed another dress.
Sighing, I tossed a dirty rag into the nearby sink, then strode toward him.
His gaze tracked my every step, but his expression didn’t so much as flicker.Not even a pleasant smile.Personally, I preferred his dark and brooding expressions.Gave me a wonderful shiver I wouldneveradmit to out loud.
“I need to buy some things after my shift.A new phone, for starters.But also, a dress,” I said unceremoniously.
Rathiel merely lifted an eyebrow.
“And you’re going to help me find one.”
His eyebrow arched just a fraction higher, his piercing gaze never leaving mine.“And why exactly do you need a dress?”His voice was low and skeptical.
I hesitated, knowing full well that my answer would hit a nerve, even if he wouldn’t show it.“I have a date tonight.”
A brief flicker of emotion crossed his face, but it was gone an instant later, replaced by the same unreadable mask he always wore.
“With Jack,” I added, my voice quieter than I intended.
Rathiel’s jaw tightened, just enough for me to notice.“A second date,” he stated, the words clipped.Finally, he let out a slow, controlled breath and shifted his gaze away from me, staring out the window instead.“And you think this is a good idea?With everything that’s going on?”
His tone was flat, devoid of the emotion that had briefly flickered across his face.It was almost as if he was trying to detach himself from the situation, to keep whatever he was feeling under tight control.
“It’s just a date, Rathiel,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.“I’m not going to let my life come to a screeching halt because of everything that’s going on.”
His gaze snapped back to me, sharp and probing.“Because of what, exactly?Because your father knows where you are?And wants you dead?And has started sending hellspawn here to kill you?”
I scanned the immediate area, relieved to find no one overheard his last remark.“Nice,” I bit out, rolling my eyes.“Announce it to the whole freaking world, why don’t you?Look, I like Jack.And he likes me.So, I’m going to go on this date with him, regardless of your opinion on the matter.”
Rathiel’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening.“This is reckless.”
“Maybe.But that’s not your call.The only choice you have is whether or not you accompany me shopping.You can go back to my apartment and wait for me there, if you choose to.”
Anger flashed in his eyes, but he quickly blinked and centered himself.“Fine,” he said, his voice quieter.“I’ll help you find adress.”
There was no enthusiasm in his tone, no warmth.Just a cold acceptance that made my chest tighten with a mix of guilt and something else I didn’t want to name.I hadn’t expected him to be thrilled, but I also hadn’t expected his reaction to cut this deep.
“Thank you,” I said, though the words felt hollow, as if they weren’t nearly enough to fill the growing chasm between us.
Without another word, I turned away and headed back to finish the rest of my shift, trying to ignore Rathiel’s presence.A damn near impossible feat.At least for me.
By the time my shift ended, I was even more exhausted.I only hoped I could find a dress quickly and return home with enough time to nap before my date tonight.
I untied my apron and hung it up, happy to have one less thing to worry about.I headed back to Rathiel, who stood and silently made his way to the door, holding it open for me.
