Page 48 of Devastation
A few shifters bring out heaps of food on platters, setting them throughout the center of the table, all of them smelling divine and making my mouth water.
Lana must notice this as she reaches out and closes my jaw, laughing at me as she does. "Such a caveman."
A small whine comes from down the table, "Why did you guys get to sit next to Sugar Britches?"
Luke and Leo have been complaining about our seating arrangements from the moment we sat down and established them.
Raising my hands to my head, I rub my temples and answer, "Because Ash and I called dibs first. Next time, be faster."
Lana blows them kisses in response, and they fake melt into their chairs, pulling a giggle from Kinder and Lana.
We begin filling our plates as Cadmus clears his throat and looks to Lana. "So, how should we prepare for the coming war? How soon do you expect it to start?"
Kinder immediately smacks his arm and admonishes him, "Let our guests enjoy their meals first before we get into war talks."
"And here I thought I was the wild one with no manners," she mutters, piling food onto her plate.
Once again, Cadmus looks like he's seeing a whole new side to Kinder as he looks at her in shock before glancing to Lana and apologizing, "I'm sorry. Please enjoy the food."
"No apologies needed. I understand your concern and your need to prepare," she responds while picking up her silverware to dig into her food.
As always, Lana is the first one to finish, and not for the first time I wonder if she actually chews her food or if she just inhales it.
She leans back and pats her stomach before answering Cadmus' earlier question. "How you prepare is up to your new queen and you as her advisor. I would say that whatever you come up with, you and your people need to be ready any day. I'm not waiting for this fucker to attack us, and I want to bring the fight to him once I've gotten all the queens on board."
Kinder talks around a mouthful of food, "How many queens are left to speak with?"
"Serenity of the witch realm, Marina of the angel realm, and you are all in the know. I need to visit the demon and fae realms. The human realm will fall into place when we balance out these and I can return my focus to them as Gaia once did.”
"It is late and I'm sure you are tired. We can prepare rooms for you to stay in," Cadmus graciously offers.
Lana inclines her head, "Thank you for your hospitality. We accept, under one condition."
He waits to hear her condition and she grins like a wolf when she announces, "Only one room, and preferably the largest bed you have."
It feels like deja vu as Cadmus chokes once more and gulps down wine while nodding. His eyes water from the strain as Kinder claps him on the back and answers, "We have just the room for you."
A few minutes later we are all done with our food and a shifter comes back to announce that our room is ready for us. Cadmus bids us goodnight as Kinder offers to show us the way.
Rising from the table, I hear Luke say, "Man I'm stuffed. But you know what I always have room for?"
Groaning at what I already know Leo is going to say, I slap my hand over my eyes and drag it down my face.
"Cream pie."
Kinder innocently inquires, "What's that? Is it a delicacy from your realm?"
"Don't you dare answer that," Lana warns the mischievous duo with a finger raised in their direction.
The angelic facade they're so good at faking falls over their features as they mime locking their lips and throwing away the key.
Thankfully, we reach our chamber moments later, not giving Kinder time to ask anything further about the...delicacy.
We all file through the door as Lana pauses at the entryway to speak with Kinder. "We will most likely leave at dawn, so I'll say my goodbyes now."
"You're leaving so soon?" The worry in Kinder's voice is clear, and Lana assures her, "You will be splendid, I promise. Give Cadmus hell and show your people the queen you were born to be. Know I will always be with you in spirit, cheering you on."
My heart warms at the clear bond the two women have so quickly established. Seeing Lana step into the mentor role with Kinder feels like a full circle moment. She has grown into such an incredible woman, queen, and mate.
