“Croak will be asleep before we finish dinner, I see,” Rydon said with a grin as he took a seat next to Croak. He clapped him on the back as Croak finished his drink.
“Just getting warmed up, old man,” Croak said around a belch.
They ordered food, and Terena’s chest lightened as she looked around the table. She had her brother safe at her side, her newfound sister smiling and laughing with the handsome Liodari, and Rydon and Gabriol sharing tales with their new friends.
Terena looked up from beneath her lashes at Daris, who sat across from her, one hand wrapped around his glass of water as he listened to something Fane was saying.
“If you’re happy, I’m happy,” Croak said softly near her ear. Terena snapped her head around, her eyes searching her brother’s face. His dark brows were furrowed as he gave her a wistful smile.
“What are you talking about?”
He tilted his head and gave her a knowing look. “Stop, all right? You think we’re all stupid? I saw Jason when he tore out of Daris’s tent the other day. He stood guard nearby and made sure the rest of us stayed away. And then half an hour later, you came out.”
Heat crept up her face but she shrugged. “That’s our business.”
“I know,” Croak grumbled. “And like I said, I’m happy if you’re happy. But…”
“But what?”
Croak looked down at his nearly empty ale tankard and shook his head. He turned and pierced her with his dark brown gaze. “It’s only been six months, Terena. I fucking miss him. A lot. I thought you did, too. That you can just…” Croak shook his head as he took a drink of ale.
Terena stiffened. Her mouth pinched, and she had to force herself not to smack her brother. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. When she looked back at Croak, she was glad to see he looked miserable.
“I do miss him. And a part of me will always love Lerek,” Terena said after a long pause. She flicked her eyes to Daris, who was watching her with his good eye narrowed. Turning back to Croak she added, “But Daris is different.Weare different together.”
“He’s not even your type,” Croak whined, leaning back in his chair with a groan. “Lerek was going to be an emperor. Now, you’re withDaris? He’s a soldier who lives his life with and for his men and his king.” He scoffed. “Don’t get me wrong. Heishandsome, if you like men with half their faces ripped off.”
Terena did smack him that time.
The table went quiet. She stood and leaned over, grabbing Croak by his tunic as she hissed in his face. “If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing at all. Asshole!”
She turned and stormed out of the tavern, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Outside, Terena walked a few paces to lean against the wall of the building. Pressing a hand to her chest, Terena closed her eyes.
“Are you all right?”
Terena startled. Daris stood near the door with a concerned expression. She launched herself at him, kissing him with needy intent, drowning herself in the feel of him. She sighed when his arms instantly came around her, pulling her closer. The feel of his muscles beneath her hands as they moved and bunched made her shiver. Terena threaded her hands up at the back of his head, loving the feel of his soft hair in her fingers, and she sighed into his mouth.
“Terena,” Daris groaned as he tried to pull back, but she refused to let him go.
“Daris,” she whispered. “Take me to your room.”
The way his mouth curved up was so wicked, fire sizzled down to her core.
“Whatever the lady wants,” he answered with a wink.
It was late—orvery early—before Sonah snuck upstairs, Croak behind her shushing her every two seconds. Gabriol and Rydon had retired much earlier, but she’d stayed longer with Croak and the Liodari.
Sonah paused in front of her door and Croak turned to look at her over his shoulder before he opened the door to his room.
“What?”
She turned to him. “Nothing…”
He turned to face her fully. “What?”
Sonah bit her lip. “What if… what if she’s… not alone?”
Croak grunted. “I guarantee they’re inhisroom.”
