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He got himself together for dinner, which took place in a private dining hall on the same floor as the kitchen. Kael noticed how Suki had come from her original bedroom, which made his heart bloom in his chest.
Perhaps she was finally on the path to healing. And Sarah was helping tremendously.
They sat at a round table with a soft lilac tablecloth while a fire roared in the hearth.
Sarah giggled at something Suki said, covering her mouth as her fork clanked against the plate. For once, Kael felt like the odd man out. It was clear they had bonded while he had been gone. It split a piece of his heart off like glass, the part that missed Petal more than anything in the world. The part that didn’t want to accept that, perhaps, there was a life after death.
The thought made him shiver.
“You okay, Dad?” Suki said, pointing with her fork.
He was about to scold her for it but then dialed it back, rolling his meal around the plate.
“All good, darling. I see you two had a nice day?”
Suki nodded with more excitement than he had seen from her in ages. The golden hue in her eyes was also returning.
“Dad, do you think we could do something fun tomorrow?”
Kael could feel Sarah’s eyes on him. They weren’t accusing anymore but admiring. His daughter looked cautiously hopeful, and he didn’t like the hint of fear that made her voice squeak the tiniest bit.
“Fun? What’s that?”
He slid a bit of food between his teeth, watching as his daughter frowned in confusion. It was his sad attempt at humor, and it didn't go over well.
“He’s joking, I think,” Sarah said slyly.
Suki started to giggle again. It was the most magical sound Kael had ever heard.
“Oh, Dad! You’re funny. Keep trying. Maybe it’ll land.”
“What about a picnic?” Sarah chimed in.
They both turned to her, and she folded her bottom lip into her mouth shyly. It was incredibly adorable.
“Pick-nick?” Suki said.
“Sorry, I keep forgetting. Basically, we take food and a blanket and go somewhere pretty. I would like to see more of the area if you don’t mind.”
She glanced at Kael when she said it. He imagined wind gusting through her vibrant blonde hair. He had to look away, back at the plate, to keep the thoughts from growing more vivid.
“Yeah! Pretty!” Suki exclaimed. “Pretty like you, Sarah. And like my mom.”
A cape of silence swallowed the room whole. Kael felt his heart raging, but he couldn’t leave Suki hanging. He couldn’t do that to her anymore.
“Yes, your mother was very pretty, wasn't she?” Kael said, feeling like he was choking on a sword. “And Sarah definitely is also.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see she was starting to blush. She licked her lips and finished off the rest of the food on her plate.
“I think a picnic would be lovely. Should I speak to Allan about it?”
She was changing the subject, and Kael knew why. His attraction to her was rather obvious, and the rush of blood to her cheeks said she likely felt similar. That was certainly a wrench in the works, in the contract, and in his life.
“Yes, I can discuss it with him too,” Kael said softly.
“It’s no matter. I’ll clean up and have a chat. Sounds awesome!”
Sarah stood and nearly bolted from the room with their plates.
