Page 23 of Reap the Night
“Midsommer Nights,” Ordell provided. “I know it. Be careful. Don’t eat or drink any fae food.”
“I’m not an idiot.” I cut into my steak. “The team is going too. It’ll be a nice night out. What about you two?”
“There’s a case we need to work on in the Rim,” Hemlock said. “We’ll be back by Sunday night.”
Ordell tugged at the cuff of his shirt and rubbed his arm through it before draining his glass and refilling it.
“Are you hot?”
“I’m fine.” He set to work on his food.
For a few minutes, we were just three people having a meal together, and even Hemlock set aside his coin to eat. There was silence at our table, but the buzz of conversation around us provided a soothing backdrop.
“This chicken is cooked to perfection,” Ordell said. He cut off a little and held his fork out to me. “Try it.”
“Seriously, Ordell, we talked about this,” Hemlock said.
Ordell cursed softly and lowered the fork.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Feeding is an urge,” Ordell said. “From my beast.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He feeds his mates. Remember the cake?” Hemlock popped some pasta into his mouth.
Oh God… “As in fattens them up so he can eat them?”
Ordell looked horrified, and Hemlock choked on his mouthful. They stared at each other, and then Hemlock dropped his head, shoulders shaking.
Wait, was he laughing?
Twin spots of color appeared high on Ordell’s cheeks. “Shut up,” he growled.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I just…Fattens them up so he can…Oh my…My, that’s…” He sobered, but mirth danced in his eyes,transforming his austere features into something beautiful and inviting.
I must have been staring a little too hard because his smile fell, and his expression closed in. He dropped his attention to his plate and picked up his fork.
“The feeding is a ritual,” Ordell said softly. “The desire to provide for your mate, and when it is reciprocated it strengthens the bond.”
“Like…when I fed you cake?”
“Yes…”
Oh… “You should have told me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
Movement by Ezekiel’s table caught my eye. Ariella was leaving her seat, probably to go to the washroom. “I’ll be right back. Just need to keep an eye on Ariella.”
I’d said I wasn’t her babysitter, but now that she was out in public with Ezekiel, now that everyone could see that she meant something to him, she’d become a target. A way to get to the vampire king, and because of that reason I would now have to be her watcher too. Damn it.
She’d taken my place as his favorite pet. I should be grateful.
I should, but I wasn't.
The washroom was all marble floors, chrome, and spotlights. Huge mirrors took up one wall, reflecting the large stalls opposite. It was empty except for the one stall that was closed. Muttering emanated from behind the closed door. Was she speaking to herself?
