“We have plenty of money,” Lucian said. “Even if we weren’t traveling with the divine general. And anyone entering the city gets a certain number of credits for lodging and food.”
“No one starves or is homeless in Auroi,” Radu said. “I’ve read the reports and believed it impossible. But seeing the city now, it’s beautiful and fascinating.”
“There is other lodging if we don’t want to stay at Star’s place,” Lucian said. “There’s a capsule type hotel with tiny rooms, or fancy full-service places. There are even many we could request private use of for several weeks if we wanted to stay that long.”
Star shuddered. How many shadows would gather in a few weeks’ time?
“You’re okay with us staying at your place, Star?” Yuri asked. “It sounds amazing.”
“Yes, of course. It’s very grand. Built by my swords and scions over many centuries. There is a large garden courtyard with attached greenhouses. Lots of room for us to wander or relax. Even a massive library.” Maybe he could entice them to move faster.
“Sounds nice,” Yuri said.
“There’s the stick place,” Theo said, pointing off to a small shop near the edge of the entrance to a plaza with a fountain in the center.
“Let’s go!” Yuri said, grabbing his hand, the pair racing off toward the shop.
Star sighed.
“It will be fine,” Radu said.
“Trust Yuri,” Lucian added as he followed their lovers to the shop.
“I do trust him,” Star grumbled.
“Just not yourself,” Radu agreed. He remained at Star’s side as they trailed after the others.
“I’m always doing the wrong thing.”
Radu snorted. “Still lying to yourself. Let’s get food. Maybe eat and think less?”
“I’ve never tried these sorts of things.”
“Me neither. But let’s call it an adventure.” Radu slipped his arm around Star’s waist and pulled him close, turning to brush his cock against Star’s thigh. Star couldn’t hold back his gasp. “I adore how you lust for me.”
“Hardly makes me want to try mortal food,” Star said, wishing he could drag them all to his estate to drown inpleasures of the flesh instead of facing an evening of shadows and strange food.
“You love the things Yuri makes. And Lucian has grown accomplished in several dishes.”
Food was a necessity now, not an adventure. But Yuri and Theo stood in front of the shop delivery window, Lucian beside them, passing around a plate of skewers.
“Shall we try to partake of what it is to be mortal?” Radu asked.
“What if I hate it all?”
Radu shrugged. “We all have preferences. I don’t like the sweets as much as Lucian does. But Yuri made this thing called astuffed potatothat I enjoyed.”
“That was strange,” Star said. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” He headed across the courtyard toward the others. “If you try it, I will, too.”
Star didn’t like the skewers, but he found the custard inside a folded cake tasty. They had a half dozen things they shared among them, but the custard was the only thing he went back for, getting a small folded custard cake of each flavor to share with Yuri.
The sun set, the sky a watercolor of blinding reds, orange and purple dripping over the city horizon. Lights danced all around them, chasing away the worst of the dark and leaving them in a sweet glow that soothed some of Star’s lingering anxiety.
“Which one is your favorite?” Yuri asked, nibbling a custard cake. “I think I can make these.”
“The green one,” Star answered without hesitation.
“It’s a bit like green tea with a hint of lemon,” Yuri said.
