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Before I can do more than nod, the man strides forward. “And I’m Kato,” he says, sweeping a hand to his chest in a playful, exaggerated bow.

His black hair curls below his lightly tanned jawline, artfully wind-swept and clearly not accidental. When he straightens, his deep-gray eyes crinkle at the edges, and his grin puts his sharp canines on full display.

“But you can call me handsome,” he adds. “Most people do.”

A small, startled laugh escapes me.

“See? I knew you’d warm up to me first.” Kato steps aside, pulling out the chair to Lyxander’s left with a flourish. He gestures toward the seat, then skirts around the table and settles into the chair directly across from it. “Sit, sit.”

I drift toward the offered chair, my gaze flicking to Lyxander as he sets a cup of wine in front of me. I lower myself onto the chair and take a tentative sip.

Plates and bowls are arranged neatly, filled with an assortment of food that coaxes a soft grumble from my stomach. There’s a steaming bowl of lentils drizzled with olive oil, and dishes of roasted root vegetables—parsnips, carrots, and turnips—seasoned with herbs and honey, their edges caramelized to a golden brown. Beside those, a platter of flatbreads is stacked high, their edges slightly charred from the hearth, and a bowl of olives sits next to a wedge of sharp, crumbly cheese.

“This looks lovely,” I say, setting my cup back down. “Who’s the cook?”

Kato straightens in his seat. “That would be me.”

Rhaya clears her throat pointedly from where she’s leaning against the far wall, arms crossed.

“Rhaya assisted, of course,” Kato adds with a dismissive wave of his hand. Then his brow furrows as he glances at the table. “There was meant to be meat, but it was missing.”

I bite my lip to hold back a smile, torn between guilt and amusement. I look away quickly, but the humor fades as my gaze lands on Lyxander. He’s paused mid-motion, the wine cask tilted over his cup—his attention, though, is fixed firmly on my mouth.

When he looks up, his eyes meet mine, and lightning flashes in their depths. It’s gone as quickly as it appeared, and he arches a questioning brow at me.

“So, Aella,” Kato starts, and I wrench my gaze away. “Xan has been quite tight-lipped about how you two met. Care to fill us in?”

Rhaya groans. “Kato.”

“What?” he protests. “It’s a fair question. Don’t pretend you’re not dying to know too.”

“Well, obviously. But the most important thing is that he’s back. And we have Aella to thank for that,” Rhaya replies.

Lyxander avoids my gaze.

“It was a mutually beneficial arrangement,” I say, turning to the others, then I smirk. “But that was after he knocked me out and abducted me.”

Rhaya’s mouth drops open. Even Kato looks shocked.

“Lyxander Thalos, please tell me you didn’t,” Rhaya says.

Lyxander pinches the bridge of his nose as if he’s already regretting this entire evening. “It wasn’t quite like that,” he mutters.

I file the new name Rhaya mentioned away for now. “Oh, it was exactly like that. One moment, I’m staging a dungeon escape, and the next, I’m waking up on a ship.”

Rhaya’s sharp gaze narrows on Lyxander.

Kato, however, barks out a laugh, then leans forward, pointing at Lyxander with a cup of wine in hand. “Xan, if you need tips on how to woo a lady, I can offer some better advice.”

“That’s not what’s happening here,” I say defensively.

“Of course it’s not,” Kato says with a nod.

Then he winks at me.

Lyxander sighs, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. “If you’re done dissecting my questionable decisions, shall we move on to something else?”

“Fine, we’ll let you off the hook—for now.” Kato grins, clearly enjoying himself. “Personally, I’m glad you’re both here. Things were starting to feel a little bleak.”