“Well, I am a visitor, after all! It is important to know the places you visit. I wouldn’t want to insult anyone.” I smiled sarcastically.
“You may be wiser than I thought, then,” she replied disdainfully. “You should be more subtle with the interest of my Nest. You are becoming quite suspicious.”
“I am curious.”
“But how do I know that you pursue in good faith?” Her brows knit together.
A smirk crawled across my face. “Perhaps I pursue in better faith than you expect.”
“Possibly.” She shrugged, pausing to sip on my glass. “Though I suspect it is not unrelated to your lover, or whoever you were celebrating before.”
“What if it is?”
“Then, maybe I am inclined to help, if you answer some questions.”
“I’m as open as the Bible,” I smirked. “I swear it.”
What a sweet sense of trust she held in strangers. It was odd, but I supposed she may not have had any reason to mistrust. Alina was talented in that way, sheltering those closest to her. I would not hurt dear Edith, but she was perfect for purging information. The best part was that I did not even have to torture her.
“You are looking for her,” Edith stated.
“Who?”
“Your lover.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You are interested in the Nest. I suppose you were celebrating finding her when I first met you.”
“I suspect many things, though it is possible she is under your roof.”
“What makes you so sure she wants to be found?”
“She doesn’t.”
“Then why chase her?”
“Because I made a mistake. I want to fix it.”
“What makes you so sure she will forgive you?” She raised a fine brow.
“She will. I know she will.”
“Silas, we have another correspondence—” Luka stumbled next to me at the bar on my opposite side. He froze as soon as he saw Edith. “Am I interrupting?”
“No, actually. Edith was about to tell us about her Nest.” I smiled, looking back toward her.
She stared at Luka quite intensely. If I didn’t know better, she appeared quite bashful. She reminded me of how my sister would blush when she was embarrassed. The small, reserved creature did not seem to like the extra company.
“Oh?” Luka walked over and sat on her other side. “Maybe I came at the right time.”
“I am not going to share anything with your friend here.” Edith glared.
“Why not? Is he not to your taste?” I teased. “Is it the scars? He does look a bit less like a sissy with them.”
“Rich coming from a blond man,” Luka laughed. “Recessive at best.”
“Thank you for the commentary.” I rolled my eyes, just for them to land on Edith again. “He is employed by me, and he is only here to help, despite his attitude.”
