Page 20 of A Kiss From Death
On instinct, I dig my nails into his hand holding my plate hostage. “If I want to share my food with her, then that is exactly what I’m going to do,” I bite out as I feel liquid pooling under my nails. At this point, I don’t care who I have to make bleed to get what I want.
“There is plenty of food here to go around. She does not need the food off your plate that is supposed to be in your stomach. Don’t think I didn’t notice you haven’t touched a single thing.”
Empress, has he been here watching me this entire time? I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, since he is tasked with keeping track of my every move, but I didn’t think that meant watching me eat.
“Well, as you see, what Ray here wants can only be found onmyplate. Since I have no plans to eat it, she’s doing me a favor by not letting it go to waste,” I seethe.
He scoffs. “Like you’re letting your body go to waste by not eating? Look at you; when was the last time you had a proper meal? You need to eat if you want any chance of making it through the Crucible. Food is fuel, and fuel is power.”
He almost sounds as if he cares—almost. “I’ve taken care of myself just fine up until now, and I think I’m doing well enough. Exceedingly, some would even say,” I add.
He rolls his eyes, mumbling something under his breath, then signals for a server. He whispers in the server’s ear, who nods and strides out of the room. Not even a minute later, the server strides back in with a new tray full of those bubbling pastries.
“I was told you were in need of some cloud cakes, miss?” he questions Ray, holding the tray in front of her face. Her eyes light up when the smoke bursts, and she starts smacking her tongue as the magical smoke floods her taste buds.
Giggling to herself, she grabs one in each hand and plops them down on her plate. Turning, she thanks the server, then Hade before devouring the sweets in front of her. With her attention occupied solely on her food, I turn my gaze back on Hade.
“There, problem solved. Now she has her own to eat, and you can eat yours.” He sits there, staring at my plate like he’s waiting for me to start eating. Wait…is that what he’s doing?
As if reading my mind, he nods. “I will stand here watching you until you eat. I don’t care if I have to spoon feed you like a child in front of everyone to get the task done.”
Throwing a small tantrum, I stomp my foot and turn towards my plate. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
Twenty minutes later, I’ve scarfed down over half my plate and even indulged in one glass of “Fire Water”, an alcoholic delicacy in Lunaria known to apparently knock you on your ass. Sounds about right, because after downing only one glass, I feel like even brooding Hade couldn’t bust my balls from this dizzying haze. The stuff goes down exactly how it sounds: like flames licking the back of your throat. It has zero taste, making it dangerously easy to guzzle.
My dress fits a bit snugger across my tummy after eating more than should be humanly possible. I’m tempted to ask Hade to roll me out of here, and a giggle bubbles up my throat.
Damn, this Fire Water is turning me soft.
“Was that a giggle I just heard coming from you, of all people?” Hade’s shocked face comes into view beside me.
Empress, this man keeps popping up out of nowhere like a ghost. “Was that a giggle I just heard?” I mock him. I put on my best grumpy Hade impression: scrunching my eyebrows, pouting my lips, and lowering my voice an octave.
“I think you’ve had enough Fire Water for the night. Let me escort you back to your room before people get the impression you actually have a personality. Wouldn’t want to go giving them false hope now, would you,Nightmare?”
Ugh, fuck him and that stupid fucking nickname. I hate the way it pisses me off and also makes little tingles erupt over my skin at the same time.
“I think I’ve had the perfect amount of Fire Water, actually,” I grit out. “Your overflowing concern for my wellbeing has been noted, though. I hate to inform you, but the verdict is back, and itrules in favor of me not giving a shit. Shocker, I know,” I say dryly, even though on the inside, I’m on the verge of laughter.
Note to self: next time I need a pick-me-up, the perfect medicine is a tall glass of Fire Water. I can’t even imagine how Des would act on this stuff, and I don’t think I ever want to find out for fear of death by words. What a painful way to go.
Hade disguises what could almost be considered a chuckle with a low grunt. The day I hear that man actually laugh will be the day Lunaria falls out of the sky.
I wonder if his laugh would be deep and gravely, or if it’ll be smooth like a melody. My mind conjures up a million different possibilities, and I try to fight the feeling of wanting to know for myself.
Apparently, this Fire Water has gone straight to my head, because I would never in a million years admit that sober, even to myself.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I can escort myself back to my room. Female empowerment and all that.” I wave my hand in his face while sliding my chair back and making a break for the exit.
“Let me walk you,” Hade and Aeron say in union as they flank each side of me. When people say they want men throwing themselves at them, I don’t think this is what they mean. My head spins, and not from the alcohol. That would be a blessing to this dizzying encounter.
I’d forgotten Aeron was even here, since we didn’t talk the entire dinner. He was busy putting on his charm, making sure everyone knew how big of a deal he was. Ever the charmer, that one, except I see right through him and his games. Tomorrow, I need to make a point of training with him. What’s the saying? Keep your friends close and enemies closer? Yeah, that.
Hade growls and pins Aeron with a look that, in my normal state, might make my knees buckle, but right now, with the alcoholdancing happily through my veins, he reminds me of a predator protecting its young.Pfft.
“You have done enough tonight. Your Vanquisher will escort you back to your room once you’re done comparing the size of your manhood to everyone else here. It’s not flattering or impressive, but please, carry on,” Hade spouts.
Did he…did he just make a joke? No, surely I heard him wrong. There’s no way in Fallout Hade could make such a thing. Maybe he indulged in some Fire Water too?
