That’s okay, Tora. I’ll punish you once we get to bed.
She pressed a kiss to my jaw before she stood.
Frowning, I tracked her across the room, unable to look away.
They filed toward her.
Toma reached her first and wrapped both arms around her with zero restraint, lifting her entirely off the ground.
She yelped.
The line of my jaw twitched.
"This was better than my leftover pizza in the fridge. You're an absolute legend, Tora."
"Toma, my ribs—"
"Sorry. Sorry." He set her down and smirked. "Same time next battle?"
Right when I was about to protest, she bobbed her head in agreement. “Of course. There will be food after the next battle so make sure you come back.”
Annoyed, I pursed my lips.
Toma nodded. “I will. Don’t worry about that, Tora.”
Kaede stepped forward and bowed his head to her. A few strands of his platinum blond hair hung in front of him. He shifted into his best British impression. “Milady, due to this royal feast, I am your loyal knight from this day forth and henceforth and thereafter.”
She laughed and to my surprise had her own British accent. “Rise, my brave knight. You have my gratitude and more royal feasts in your future.”
Kaede remained in that dramatic bow. “I cannot rise. To do so would cause dishonor. And I fear that Milady will—”
“Speed this up.” My frown deepened.
Nyomi turned my way and scowled.
I quirked my brows.
What?
She rolled her eyes and returned her gaze to him. When Kaede straightened, she pulled him into a hug, and they remained that way for far too long. Kaede even closed his eyes, sinking deep into my Tiger’s comforting warmth.
I tensed.
Reo cleared his throat.
Kaede caught the signal and ended the hug. When he spoke next, he did so in that ridiculous British accent, yet. . .emotion laced each word too. “Milady, this is the finest evening I’ve had whilst bleeding internally. I shall write songs of this feast. Bad ones. Loud ones. Some banned in several regions.”
Nyomi laughed and covered her mouth.
Then, he did the most absurd thing that he could. With that big muscular body of his, Kaede somehow did an outrageously elegant spin and departed the dining room.
What the hell?
Stunned, I widened my eyes.
If this is how the Claws act with this meal. . .after the cocktail party, I’d have to peel them off of her.
Daisuke stepped in front of her next. "Thank you for this night. I felt. . .absolutely loved and uh. . .while I wasn’t sure of your place with us. . .well, now I know that you are undeniably ours."
