Page 68 of Home

Au'revele remained in her seat for less than a minute before she pushed it back and stood up.

“Where are you going?” Zahn asked.

“I’m moving to another table.”

“Why?”

“So you don’t have to share a meal with me. I’m sure it must pain you greatly to do so.”

Zahn pushed his own chair back and stood up. “Then I’ll move with you.”

“Why? I’m trying to get away from you!”

“And I am carrying out my orders. Sit down.”

“You sit down.”

“I will, once you do. We are eating, then I am seeing you safely home.”

Au'revele sighed in irritation, her beautiful green eyes flashing her irritation at him as she firmly sat herself down, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Thank you,” Zahn said, taking his own seat.

“I’m not sitting with you for you. I’m simply bowing to my Sirena’s request.”

“Clearly,” he said.

“Here we are,” the male that had taken their order said, sitting a massive platter on the table between them and taking the dishes one by one and placing them before each of them. He placed a pitcher of juice in the middle of the table, and a prefilled glass of juice in front of Zahn. Then two cups in front of Au'revele. They both received several pieces of fish, an array of vegetables, breads, and a large piece of cake. “I brought you two cups. One of Lita and another empty to share your male’s juice if you should decide to. If you’d prefer a second cup of Litah instead, just let me know and I’ll be happy to get it for you.”

Au'revele looked up at the male. “He’s not my male. But thank you for being so thoughtful. If I need more Litah, I’ll let you know.”

“My apologies. I assumed he was your male,” he said, smiling at Au'revele even more so than before. “Have you ever tried Litah chilled? Our Sovereigna has begun to drink it that way from time to time. It is quite refreshing.”

“I’ve not tried it, but thank you for the idea. I’m sure I will try it next time.”

The male continued to stand there, smiling down at Au'revele.

“She said ‘thank you’. You can go now,” Zahn snapped.

The male casually turned his head to regard Zahn for a moment, then just grinned at him. “I shall look for you next time. I’ll bring the chilled Litah for you to try.”

“How very thoughtful of you,” Au'revele said. She began eating her meal, dismissing the male without another word, as evidenced by her unwillingness to engage in more conversation.

He smiled at Zahn again, then walked away, whistling as he went.

“I don’t like that male,” Zahn declared.

“Hmm. Surprising,” Au'revele said.

“What does that mean?” Zahn asked.

“You don’t like anyone.”

“I like the Sirena. And I like my fellow warriors. And I like our Sire. And I like…”

“I get it, Zahn! You just don’t like me.”

Zahn’s lips twitched as he did his best to stop talking. Obviously he was only making matters worse. For the rest of the meal they sat and ate in silence.

---