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Chapter16
Zen
The Old Tavern had changed considerably since I’d last been, more than two years ago, but the owner, Jahn, remembered Landon the second the doors opened, and my guard moved through to secure the building.
“Alpha!” The middle-aged proprietor bowed warmly. “I was beginning to think we’d done something to offend you when we hadn’t seen you!”
I waited for him to straighten before offering him a lopsided grin. “No, Jahn. Running the kingdom has been busy. There’s not much time for social activities, I’m afraid. Not even in my favorite places.”
Jahn beamed broadly and bowed again at Mirielle, the gesture pleasing me. “Please, come right this way. When I saw your reservation, I had the beachside tables cleared and have ensured you’ll have the entire view to yourselves for as long as you grace us with your presence. The chef is preparing a special menu, based on your previous orders, but of course, whatever you request is available.”
I nodded and allowed him to lead the way through the charming ship-themed restaurant toward the back doors which overlooked the Sunset Beaches.
They were aptly named, these sands, the lingering oranges, reds, and blues splaying spectacular colors over the horizon as Jahn held out my chair and a server materialized to pull out Mirielle’s.
“Hanson will be your server tonight,” Jahn informed us, nodding at the sinewy-bodied waiter. “But I’ll be around to ensure you’re receiving the best quality of care.”
“That will do nicely,” I agreed, unfolding the intricately designed napkin on the table as Mirielle stared into the lapping waters, her eyes faraway.
“Wine, Hanson,” Jahn said, snapping his fingers and ushering his staff member away from our table. They headed inside, and I noted that Landon and Calliver were nowhere in sight, but I was sure they hadn’t ventured far.
“Do you get used to that?” Mirielle asked once they had moved out of earshot.
“What?” I leaned forward to take her hand, and she reluctantly turned away from the view as if the water was pulling her in, keeping her from properly focusing on me.
“All the attention, the groveling.”
I smirked. “Honestly, I’ve never really noticed. It’s always been like that for me, I guess.”
“It doesn’t bother you?”
She slipped her hand into mine, but before I took her fingers, I snapped once, igniting the two long candles on the surface between us. The flickering light illuminated her pale cheeks, giving her a surreal glow in the quickly fading sunshine.
“Sometimes,” I agreed. “Which is why I use a glamor spell to go some places.”
She flushed pink at the reminder of Harbinger’s, and my grin widened. “But for the most part, I’m happy with who I am.”
“But it makes you a target!”
The unexpected passion in her tone took me aback.
“Maybe,” I agreed slowly. “But that’s a risk you take as the Alpha King.”
“Is it worth being a target?”
I studied her for a moment, unsure if she was overthinking or challenging me. “Where is all this coming from, Mirielle?”
She withdrew her hands and shook her head. “I don’t know,” she mewled miserably. “I guess… I don’t know. I’m just looking for some understanding. But at the same time, I’m not sure I want any.”
Slowly, my head straightened, comprehension flooding me. “Are you starting to remember something?”
“What? No!” she replied quickly.
Too quickly. My senses were on high alert.
She looked down at the table and picked up the menu. “We came here to have a good night away from the castle, didn’t we? Can’t we just forget about all that stuff for a bit?”
“For tonight or forever?” I pushed.
