“Actually, you did.”
“I agreed to one life for one life, which I never thought would be collected because I refused to ever get pregnant.”
“I told you, never—”
“I know!” I held up my hands and stormed inside to get away from her I-told-you-so look. “Never trust a fae.” I could hear the door close as I slammed on my brakes and mumbled, “Especially a king.”
Astaroth
I leaned against the balcony in the very spot Calista stood day after day. Now I knew why. She had a better view of the comings and goings of the guard than I had from my balcony and learned their routine. It was time they switched it up in case she decided to give it another go. Pure luck saved her from being mauled by the beasts hunting their nightly meal. Had one of the goblins not seen the flickering bulbs in those corridors and investigated, I could’ve been too late.
Calista’s presence surrounded me before she entered her room. When she stepped onto the balcony, I turned to face her.
“What is this?” She motioned at the small table with two chairs that sat in the middle between us. A covered dish rested on top.
“Ziggy missed your presence at breakfast. It seems you’ve made an impression, and he seeks to make one with you as well.”
Her lips slightly curled at the edge of her mouth. “I am rather hungry.”
“I, as well. I didn’t get to indulge on pizza last night.” I wanted to kick myself when her smile turned into a tight line. Pulling out a chair for her, I said, “Have a seat.”
Calista approached like a scared animal and sat. She pulled back her hood, her hair bundled in a mess atop her head. “You’re eating with me?”
I tucked her chair under. “I would like to have breakfast and dinner with you.” Her wispy strands brushed my face when I leaned down. She smelled of wild blooms. “Or midnight snacks.”
The sharp intake of her breath made me smile as I went to my seat. Her cheeks were a touch pinker. The slight glow hid her exhaustion.
“Go ahead. Let us see what Ziggy has created for you.”
Calista raised the lid from the platter, revealing a pie of sorts, with one piece missing. Then, she laughed. Leaning forward, she closed her eyes and smelled it. Her smile grew as she savored its scent. When was the last time I took something in the way she was now and savored it?
When I was with her. My existence was not the same in her absence. It was dull, lifeless, and a near endless waiting game, like that of my brethren.
She pinched an edge next to the missing piece and pulled one free. “Looks like Ziggy beat us to the first slice of pizza.”
While she ate, I tapped the stone to find her content, dare I say happy. I wasn’t a fool to presume she would remain this way. Every moment with her would bring its own joys and sorrows,but if I could prevent her from becoming hangry, as she called it, I would.
Calista paused in her feasting and lowered her hand. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No,” I said as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re staring at me.”
“I’m staring because I enjoy looking at you.”And because I fear if I blink, I will awaken from this dream, and you will disappear.
“Oh.” She dipped her chin and took a nibble off her food. “Are you going to eat or just watch me?”
“Ziggy prepared this for you. Would you like me to eat with you?”
A battle waged inside her. I could feel it through the stone, but I didn’t need to. It was clearly written on her face and on the stoop of her shoulders.
“If it means you stop staring, then, yes, I will share this pizza with you.”
She chose her words wisely. Who was the trickster now, Calista? I would deliver every meal she refused to have with me and watch her eat until she invited me to join her.
“So, this is pizza?” Calista watched as I took a piece and looked it over. I brought it to my nose and smelled it. I tried to fight the smile spreading over my face when I scented the toddling ninny biter among its ingredients. It seemed Ziggy was playing a game of his own.
“Well, your style of pizza.”
