Fortunately, the most heavenly scent in the world reaches my nostrils a second later, cutting off the demented little part of my brain urging me to turn around and kiss him until he’s breathless and begging for more.
“Is that…?” I ask, freezing in place.
His breath whispers against the back of my neck, a smile in his voice as he answers, “Smells like cheese and pepperoni to me, boss.”
Five
Kyrith
The Arcanaeum has extended the snug below the clock tower to create a larger dining area, dominated by a behemoth of a table. The oval surface is mahogany, polished to a mirror sheen and cluttered with more of those square cardboard boxes, most of which are open to display wheels of pizza dripping in cheese and toppings.
Crowded around them are the remaining four heirs and Eddy. Lambert slides out from behind me, slipping into a spot between the twins with a grin. The only chair remaining is at the head of the table, and it moves itself out for me as I approach.
Somewhere between the drag of the legs over the thick rug raking down my spine, and my butt hitting the smooth, solid wood of the seat, I become aware of five very masculine gazes raking over my body. I glance up, almost flickering out of my physical form under the intensity.
“You look younger,” North comments, breaking thesilence as Lambert helps himself to a massive slice of pizza. “Without the Tudor clothes.”
That wasn’t a question. I’m not sure if it was a compliment either. Regardless, my first pizza experience is more important than acknowledging his banal statement.
Gripping my plate firmly in one hand, I delve into the box, frowning as I realise that this meal evidently requires one to separate one's own portion from the rest of the poorly cut bread. Damn. The cheese is sliding off, and half of the thin pepperoni slices are leaving with it.
My fingers are greasy by the time I manage to transfer my portion to my plate, but a cloth napkin appears at my side before I can ask for one.
“How old are you?” Dakari asks.
One of my brows arches as I take my seat. “That question remains as rude today as it was when I was born, which, for your information, was five hundred and thirty-six years ago.”
Studying Eddy—because I don’t for one second believe Lambert’s method of dangling the pizza over his face and letting it fall into his mouth is the most decorous way to eat this—I copy her hand placement and nibble at the end of my pizza.
Stars.
It’shot, burning my mouth, but I couldn’t put it down if I wanted to. This is… This is incredible.
I grew up on bread and cheese.Howis this so revolutionary?
Stars damn it, my slice is gone.
Dakari reaches out and nudges a different box towards me. I select a new wedge topped with chicken and bacon and something so sweet it makes my teeth ache.
It’s only when I’ve demolished two more slices that I realise the rest of them are staring at me. I swallow, tonguedarting out to capture any sauce that might’ve been left behind as I search blindly for my napkin to wipe my face.
“If you’re about to accuse me of being ill-mannered,” I begin, dabbing at my lips, but Jasper shakes his head.
“It’s nothing bad.” He shrugs. “You just look happy.”
Oh.
I suppose…I am.
Glowing at the realisation, I push back from my chair.
“Thank you for the meal,” I tell North, wiping my fingers diligently.
“Where are you going?” Eddy asks.
I pause, looking back at her yellow eyes, and hedge, “Well, that was pizza down…”
Realisation lights her features. “Pizza, sex, and travel?”
