Page 105 of Crown of Storm and Silence
When Erlik suggests a private dinner with Nesilhan—"to properly welcome her to the family"—I shut that down with the kind of authority that makes several demons reassess their evening plans.
"I'm touched by your paternal concern," I say with deadly sweetness. "Though I'm afraid we already have dinner plans. The four of us will be dining privately tonight. Very... normal."
"Normal," Erlik repeats, as if the word belongs to a foreign language. "How utterly... pedestrian."
35
Jealousy and Revelations
Kaan
An hour later,we're safely ensconced in a private dining chamber, far from prying demonic eyes and Erlik's twisted hospitality. The room is surprisingly pleasant—warm stone walls, flickering candles, and furniture that doesn't appear to be made from the bones of the damned.
Demon servants glide in with platters of food that actually look normal—roasted meat, fresh bread, fruits that aren't screaming when you bite them. The wine they pour is deep red and smells like it came from actual grapes rather than liquefied emotions.
"Finally," Banu sighs, slumping into her chair with obvious relief. "Though after watching demons play 'creative soul destruction,' I'm not sure I can stomach anything. Even bread feels morally questionable right now."
Emir examines his wine glass with military caution before taking a tentative sip. His eyebrows rise in surprise. "It's actually good."
"Don't sound so shocked," I say, settling beside Nesilhan and immediately feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. "Even demons appreciate quality wine."
"Speak for yourself," Nesilhan mutters, taking a sip of water and making a face. "Even the water here tastes like it could strip paint."
"It's a good thing you're not drinking," Banu grins, already on her second glass. "You're such a lightweight. Remember that time we got completely smashed with those Light Court soldiers? You tried to drink Captain Matthias under the table and ended up singing battle hymns while standing on a chair."
"I did not," Nesilhan protests, but she's smiling now, the first real smile I've seen since we arrived.
"You absolutely did. Then you challenged him to an arm-wrestling match and lost spectacularly." Banu pauses, wine making her bold. "Though he was very gentlemanly about it. Very... attentive."
Something cold settles in my chest at the way she says 'attentive.' "Captain who? What captain? There was a captain?"
"Matthias," Banu continues innocently, clearly not noticing the way my shadows are starting to coil. "Tall, blond, devastatingly handsome in that noble knight sort of way. Amazing smile. Built like a god of war but with the manners of a courtier."
"Banu," Nesilhan warns, but there's laughter in her voice.
"What? I'm just saying, you two had quite the... connection that night. Very intense conversation by the fire. Very close seating arrangements." Banu takes a long sip of wine, clearly enjoying herself. "He couldn't take his eyes off you. Kept staring like you were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen. Very dreamy sighs whenever you laughed."
My wine glass creaks ominously in my grip. "How... close?"
"Oh, very close," Banu says with obvious delight. "Whispering secrets, sharing drinks from the same cup, that thing where he kept brushing imaginary lint off her shoulder—" Banu's eyes gleam as she watches my reaction. "Oh, and the way he'd lean in close when she spoke."
"There was actual lint," Nesilhan interrupts, but she's grinning now.
"Was there?" Banu asks innocently. "Because from where I was sitting, it looked like our dear captain was just looking for excuses to touch you."
The temperature in the room drops several degrees as my control starts to slip. If he fucking touched her, I'm going to leave right now just so I can track him down and end him. "And did he? Touch you?"
"Define 'touch,'" Nesilhan says, clearly enjoying my discomfort far too much.
"Nesilhan."
"He was very proper," she assures me, though her eyes are dancing with mischief. "Mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Well, there was that moment when he helped her up from her chair," Banu continues helpfully. "Very gallant. Very... lingering. His hands definitely stayed on her waist longer than strictly necessary."
"How much longer?" I ask with deadly calm. "Are we talking seconds? Minutes? Should I be planning a funeral?"
