Tatiana’s smile had gradually widened as he spoke, and she gave his hand another hard squeeze.
“I appreciate that,” she replied, before releasing his hand to reach instead for her glass of wine, pressing the last sip to her lips. “I love being here, Florian, and I enjoy what I do, but it’s always nice to be appreciated.” For a moment she was silent, her eyes becoming slightly misty, distant and unfocused, as she looked at a point on the far wall. “I know we’re still learning about each other, but you’re my nephew. Jerah’s son. I love you, and I want to help you however I can.”
Florian felt himself blushing, but nodded earnestly. It was the most affectionate thing he could recall Tatiana ever saying to him before.
“And I...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “Well... I know there’s only so much I can do for you, Florian, and in the end you have to go out and face your fate, and see it through. Just... Please be careful. I can handle the Winter Court and keep things running here, but I don’t think I could handle losing you and Jerah both.”
The warm affection that had first risen in his chest at her words turned tight and cold, not for what she said, but for what was to come and the dread that accompanied it. He nodded again, but could tell from the way she looked over at him that his sudden change in countenance had not gone unnoticed.
“I—” he started, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. “I know. I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will,” she said softly; and when he looked up at her again, he knew that she somehow understood how she had added to the weight of it all pressing down on him. Her next words were kind, as if trying to ease his burden. “And Kade’s with you. I know how capable he is. It won’t be easy, Florian, but I believe in you. We all do.”
He knew it was meant to be reassuring, but it didn’t make him feel much better. Luckily, Kade returned at that moment, striding through the far door into the dining hall with a sigh.
“Sorry that took so long,” he said, coming to sit down next to Florian. “They’re all... chatty.”
Tatiana laughed. “They are. Sorry you had to be the scapegoat this time, Kade.”
Kade waved his hand dismissively—but his eyes were on Florian, his brows furrowing just enough that Florian could tell that he was concerned. “It’s fine. Everything okay here?”
“Yes,” Florian said with a firm nod, before Tatiana could speak. “We were just... Well, we were talking about my dad.”
Kade’s eyes softened, and he placed a hand on Florian’s back, running a slow, soothing motion up and down his spine. But he was silent, and after a moment, Florian sucked in a steadying breath and stood to his feet.
“Thank you again for setting all this up,” he said to Tatiana, gesturing at the long table. “I think I’m going to go to bed.”
She nodded. “Goodnight.”
“I’ll go with you,” Kade added quickly, standing as well; and together they walked out of the dining hall and back up to his room. At least there, he felt a little less vulnerable.
