“It was when we were younger and during a time when things between the Atlantians and wolven weren’t great,” he said. I saw Perry’s hand move under the table. A smile briefly crossed Delano’s face as he glanced at the Atlantian and then continued. “It was something like, ‘if we judge all Atlantians by the worst among them, then we are no better than the worst ourselves.’”
“Sounds like something she’d say,” Malik said quietly.
Delano looked at him and then sighed. “So, yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I agree.”
I blinked rapidly against the sudden burn of tears.
“I agree,” Tawny announced. “Even though my opinion doesn’t matter.”
My laugh was shaky. “It does matter.”
“I know.” She grinned around the rim of her glass. “I was just attempting to be humble.”
My gaze lifted to Reaver.
“I honestly do not care,” he remarked.
All right, then.
He looked at us. “What Idocare about is that Thad has not returned.”
That changed the mood at the table.
I exchanged looks with Cas and Kieran.
Kieran’s features momentarily pinched as if he were about to throw himself on his sword. “I hoped they would arrive tonight, but something must be decided if we don’t hear anything by the morning.”
“I can go,” Malik offered.
I paused, pushing some grilled fish around on my plate.
Casteel lowered his wineglass and cast his brother a long look. He wasn’t the only one staring at Malik. Everyone was.
Except for Reaver.
He was eating.
“What?” Malik asked, looking around the table. “Someone should go. And until we know what has happened, we shouldn’t send another regiment.”
Kieran dropped his elbow to the table and ran a hand down his face. “Here we go again.”
“You’re not going,” Casteel stated, lowering his glass.
Malik arched a brow and met his brother’s stare. “And why not? I know how to get to Pensdurth and remain unseen in the process.”
“I’m sure you do.” Casteel leaned back and eyed my plate. “But that doesn’t change what I said.”
“Is that so?” Malik demanded.
“It is.” Casteel held his brother’s gaze as he reached over and scooped up a spoonful of sliced cucumber and onion marinated in some sort of vinegary dressing.
A slow, tight-lipped smile crawled across Malik’s mouth as Casteel placed the cucumber mixture on my plate. I recognized that kind of smile. I’d seen it on Casteel’s face a time or a thousand. It was a sure sign that Malik was seconds away from committing an act of violence.
Emil glanced at Perry, who then fixed his gaze on his plate, while Delano sank a good five inches down in his chair.
Reaver leaned forward, momentarily blocking my view of them as he grabbed half of the roasted fowl.
“You do realize that I’m yourolderbrother,” Malik stated, his finger tapping the stem of his glass.
