Page 35 of Wolf's Bane
“You’re too fast,” Luis complained, rubbing his shoulder.
“So be faster or be dead.” If his words were too harsh, he did not care. The reality of their profession was harsh. A single mistake ended lives. Hunter rarely got the luxury of growing old. “Perhaps this is a good place to pause for breakfast,” he said.
Luis groaned. “I don’t think I can eat.”
“I have faith in you.” Alek gave Luis a slap on the back, which sent him stumbling forward.
Cook had breakfast waiting in the kitchens. Luis turned an interesting shade of green at the plate of ham and eggs. “I think just toast this morning.”
“Nonsense, Master Luis. Nothing cures a hangover better than butter and grease,” Cook said.
“I would have thought hydration and a bit of willow bark tea,” Alek said.
“Oh, no. Don’t tell Solenne. She’ll make me drink an entire pot of the stuff, and it is vile,” Luis said.
“My ears are burning,” Solenne said as she entered the room. Instinctively, his body shifted to face her, and he perked to attention.
Damn his heart for feeling like it would burst out of his chest.
“You look peaky,” she said to her brother.
“I’m fine,” Luis said, quickly shoveling an egg into his mouth. He chewed slowly, as if his stomach threatened to revolt.
She sat next to Alek at the table, the scent of her lavender and honey soap ticking his nose. At least she did not smell of that vile old man.
“Why is your nose doing that?” she asked.
“My nose is not doing anything.”
“No, it’s doing that.” She wrinkled her nose, like there was a foul scent lodged inside.
“You are mistaken.” Alek picked up his plate and moved to the end of the table.
“Oh, wow. I’m glad I’m here to see this,” Luis said, planting his elbows on the table like he was in the front row of the greatest show imaginable.
Alek grumbled, stabbing at his plate.
“I don’t know why you’re so grumpy,” Solenne said.
“I suppose congratulations are in order,” he replied, every word hurting his soul.
The kitchen fell unnaturally silent.
“Quite the opposite, in fact.” Solenne retrieved a plate from the cabinet. Her cheeks flushed, and she gibbered. “Colonel Chambers felt I had the wrong impression of his intentions, so he clarified his own affection for me. Meaning, none.”
“No affection?”
Solenne slammed down the plate. “Must you drag this out? Do you enjoy my humiliation? No affection. No engagement. I am forever to be a spinster, it means.”
“Don’t worry, Solenne,” Luis said, mouth stuffed with ham. “I’ll always need you, even when you’re old and all the village children think you’re a witch.”
Alek held his breath, expecting Solenne to send the dishes flying. Instead, she laughed, not her bright and mirth-filled laugh, but something darker and more tender. It unnerved him, and the beast whispered that he could fix this. He could have what he always wanted and make her laugh properly. Every morning could be this, ham for breakfast in a tidy kitchen, with her smile.
Alek shoved another slice of toast into his mouth to avoid making a fool of himself.
No engagement. It meant nothing to him, but it meant everything to the beast.
Solenne was his.
