“No need to be so formal.” When she leaned in to kiss his cheek, he tensed up. She flicked a glance to his tattoo and gave him an impassive look. “You’ve changed since I last saw you.”
“Aye, I have.”
“You two make a darling couple. Can I say that?” She looked back at Viktor. “Or is this another secret?”
“Join us,” Viktor said, waving us over.
Christian and I took our usual spots while Lenore returned to her seat across from me.
She pinched the sleeve of Viktor’s grey cardigan. He often wore something similar at night when the house got cool.
Viktor scooted his chair back and collected two wineglasses from the table behind him. “Miss Parrish was just entertaining me with stories about ancient Greece.”
She lifted her crystal glass and smiled. “Your leader is a charming host. He indulges me with his patience. My stories can be quite dull.”
Viktor filled our glasses and sat down. “On the contrary, you have a most captivating background.”
She swirled her drink. “All ancients have stories. The retelling diminishes my enthusiasm, but I am delighted that you are entertained.” Lenore initiated a toast by raising her glass. “To interesting stories.”
Everyone’s glasses touched and made melodic chimes that filled the open room. I gulped my wine and then wiped my upper lip with the back of my hand.
“And what brings you all the way out here?” Christian asked, his tone flat but courteous.
“I was in the neighborhood, visiting an old acquaintance. Despite my first formal event, I find it difficult to form any new relationships. So much has changed. Mr. Kazan has been a gracious friend.”
“Spasibo. You are welcome here anytime, Miss Parrish.”
She touched his arm and gave it a light squeeze. “So generous of you to open your home to me.”
Blue coasted in with an empty glass in her hand. She froze when she noticed Lenore. “Sorry I barged in. I didn’t know you had a guest.”
“Nonsense,” Viktor said. “Join us. There is plenty of wine.”
“I love those earrings.” Lenore tapped her chin. “So very… What is the word they use these days? Earthy.”
Blue reached up with her free hand and touched her earring hesitantly. The feathers belonged to her falcon, souvenirs left behind after a shift. “Thanks.”
Lenore drank her wine, and it got uncomfortably quiet.
“I’ll just put this in the dishwasher.” Blue hurried into the kitchen, and not three seconds later she made a fast exit.
Lenore squeezed Viktor’s wrist, which she’d been holding. “Such a beautiful creature, that one. I used to have blue eyes.” Lenore touched her chin and looked up. “Or were they green? Sometimes I can’t remember. It’s not as if I have a picture to go by.”
Christian continued turning his glass by the stem.
“You have an interesting dynamic in this house.” Lenore folded her arms on the table and held my gaze. “I met Switch. Wasn’t he your companion at my party? I had no idea that he lived with you. Such a handsome man.”
“Perhaps you should ask him out,” Christian suggested.
Viktor cleared his throat. “I think you should treat Miss Parrish with more respect.”
“My apologies.”
Lenore tilted her head and gave Christian a loaded glance. “Perhaps Christian’s right about widening my dating pool—I’ve spent far too much time in the shallow end. It’s no wonder I haven’t found a worthy companion.”
I jumped when Christian scooted back and the chair’s feet scraped against the floor.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” Christian gave everyone a polite nod before making himself scarce.
