Page 148 of Her Dark Promise

“Oh?” He set the platter on the table and walked over to lean his body against the table. “Now is that any way to greet me?”

“And how should I greet you?”

“I could think of a few things.” He looked up, and rubbed his chin, considering it for a few moments before he said, “Have you say my god-given name, preferably as you are screaming and trembling beneath me.”

My lips pulled into a grin. He was so playful; it was refreshing.

We both turned when we heard a noise and found Soren standing in the doorway, watching our flirtatious exchange. I glanced at Bastian and saw him smirking at his younger brother.

“Now, now, Bastian, we don’t want to make the scholar jealous.” I waved him off as Soren rolled his eyes and sat down in his seat. Bastian went back to the kitchen.

“Do I need to let them in on our little secret?” Soren whispered, placing his chin on his hand.

“What secret would that be?” I asked, intrigued.

He leaned in close. “That even though they warm your bed at night, you can’t stop thinking about our time in the chapel.”

I placed my chin in my hand, copying him. “If you are jealous then just say so.”

His mouth opened then closed, straightening as Bastian brought out the last of the dinner platters with Callum in tow. The two of them were laughing at something Callum had said as Emilia strode into the dining hall and took a seat.

She sniffed the air. “This all smells delicious, Bastian.”

He sat down in his chair and replied, “Thank you, Emilia. I remembered that you once said that you loved poached truffles, but didn’t eat them often. I had Callum grab some, as it is a special occasion, and thought this was as good a time as any to cook it.”

“Well, thank you for thinking of me. I am honored.”

My mind wandered as everyone eased into easy, small talk.

It had been an entire day since I cast Circe from my mind, and so far, she hadn’t been able to invade any part of my life. It was like she vanished. And I definitely was not complaining.

“Thea.”

I looked up. “What did you just call me?”

Bastian shrugged. “I am just trying out a different name. See how it feels on my tongue.”

“And how does it feel?” I circled the rim of the cup with my forefinger.

He chuckled. “Rather nice. I think I will use it later tonight.”

“You are incorrigible!” l laughed. I loved it. I loved this. It was all so easy.

“Now, Thea, do I need to feed you again in order for you to eat something?”

I was so used to not eating that I sometimes forgot to do it. Thankfully for me, Bastian was there to remind me and ensure I ate enough to not look like ‘skin and bones’. His words.

Apparently, women who look half-dead weren’t as compelling as I had once thought.

I rolled my eyes, picked up the thigh of the pheasant, and bit into it. “Happy?”

He gave me a satisfied smile and returned to eating his meal.

Callum moved to put his hand over Bastian’s, and at the last moment, Bastian froze, slipped his hand under the table, and continued eating. Callum gave us all a strained smile and movedon as best he could despite Bastian’s rejection by cutting the meat.

Emilia didn’t seem to notice the tension; if she did, she didn’t let up on it. I knew that Bastian must not have told his brother about the three of us, even though it was blatantly obvious what we were doing and with whom.

Bastian had never told us not to tell his brother, but neither of us thought it was our place to say anything. Bastian would bring it up when he was ready, and until then, we would pretend that nothing was going on between Callum and Bastian.

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