“Sorry.” I burrowed deeper into his chest. “I just miss them.”
“I miss them too.” He rested his head on mine. “Maddox, Briar, Callum. And… Rowan.” The last name came with a small whine. “Even if he cheats at chess.”
My wolf needed comforting just as much as I did.
“Come on.” I slid my hand into his. “Let’s go back inside. Our great escape strategy can wait until tomorrow.”
“Escape?” a voice rumbled. We whirled around to see Fane approaching. “Don’t make me regret leaving your door unlocked.”
“Did I say escape?” I slapped my palm with my closed fist. “I meant to say… um… our great skate strategy. You know. To get in some exercise while we’re cooped up in our room. We don’t have actual skates though, so we’ll just have to use our imagination and pretend.”
Fane stared at me like I had three heads. An expression I knew very well. My rambles were a weapon all on their own. They always disarmed an opponent. No dagger, stirring spoon, or burnt muffin needed.
Lake quietly coughed.
“Anyway.” I clapped my hands together. “Did you bring dinner? I’m starving. We’re so skinny, you know. Definitely not enough meat on our bones. It will take at least three months to fatten us up. Maybe longer.”
Another cough, this one sounding on the verge of laughter.
“Are all humans so strange?” Fane asked Lake. “Or is your human a rare breed?”
“Hey,” I interjected. “I’m not—”
“I have little experience in dealing with most humans,” Lake responded. The softness in his voice matched the one in his purple eyes. “But Evan is special. The most exceptional person I’ve ever met.”
Warmth pooled in my belly. Not sure I deserved the praise. He was the special one. Brave, strong, and always watching over me. “Exceptionally clumsy, maybe.”
Lake snorted. “That too.”
“Clumsy and with a mouth that never stops,” Fane said. “And I’ve only known you for one day. I dread to think what more I’ll learn in your time here.”
I stifled a laugh. His aversion to me seemed half-hearted, like he was trying hard not to like me.
A loud grumble then filled the space between the three of us.
“Your belly wants food.” Lake rubbed small circles on my stomach, the edge of his mouth hitching up.
“Ah, yes. The reason I’ve come.” Fane bowed his head to me, placing one arm behind his back. So formal and polite, the complete opposite of his earlier demeanor. “Lord Onyx humbly requests that you and your wolf dine with him this evening.”
“A dinner invitation?” I asked.
“Yes.” He straightened back up, and his green eyes raked over me. “Do try to make yourself presentable. You’re to dine with the lord of this castle, after all.”
“Got it.” I ran a hand over my mop of messy blond hair. One strand flopped upward, no matter how much I tried to pat it down.
Lake’s hand softly landed on top of the strand to keep me from fiddling with it. “We accept.”
I got the feeling it wasn’t exactly a request. More like a disguised demand. No good would’ve come from refusing the invitation.
Fane nodded. “I’ll fetch you in one hour’s time.”
We stared at the back of his head as he walked down the corridor. His purple hair faded into the shadows.
“He really doesn’t like me.” I sighed. “But at least we get food soon.”
“Aye. Your grumbling belly must be appeased.” He brushed his fingers through my bangs. “Shall I fix your hair?”
My heart wobbled. “Yes, please.”
