“You promised me you would join us and try this,” I pointed out.
“I have no idea why I agreed to this,” he mumbled and reluctantly made his way to one of the seats, dropping into it.
I placed a large scoop on each of the three plates and was heading towards my seat when Erik entered.
His dark sapphire eyes pinned me, and I froze. He glanced down at his plate before turning his attention back towards me. “I only promised one bite.”
“I couldn’t find a smaller serving spoon.” I shrugged a shoulder and watched as a smile slowly spread across his lips, softening his features.
He made his way through the room with a silent grace while I settled into my seat.
“Nice of you to join us this time, Kole.” Erik regarded his friend, who was wearing a scowl.
“Wouldn’t miss this,” Kole replied, looking down at his plate as if he couldn’t make out what was on it.
Erik chortled, turning to me as he lowered himself into his chair. “How did you get him here?”
“He lost a bet,” I quickly answered while probably grinning like a fool. Winning that bet was the biggest feat for me. It was rare that I landed a hit on a Lysian.
Erik’s eyes widened. “You don’t say.” Kole somehow managed to moan without actually making a sound while Erik leaned forward, fully invested. “What was the bet?”
Kole’s jaw flexed, though he did not respond.
“I slapped him.” I glanced at Kole. “He didn’t think I could.”
Erik’s eyes instantly filled with boyish excitement. Suddenly, he did not seem like someone who would harm a soul. His world did not rest on his shoulders, and he was no more than a normal person. At least it was easier to think that when excitement poured out of him, and his focus was on someone other than myself. Not having to feel the weight of those dark eyes made everything easier.
“Oh, c’mon, wipe that ridiculous grin off your face,” Kole barked at his King. “She cheated.” He held out a thick finger, pointing directly at me.
“You underestimated me.” I rolled my eyes.
Of course, he would say that the only way for me to win would have been to cheat. But, that was not the case. I won fair and square. You cannot cheat if there are no actual rules.
“I thought you were hurt! Do you have any idea what would become of me if I harmed you?” Kole made a pointed glance at his King, who watched us with a smirk.
“Give me a break. You threw me around outside like a rag doll when I first began training. I am sure Erik would not love the idea of my being injured, but he won’t kill you if it were an accident.”
“I’d rather not bet my life on your assumptions,” Kolemuttered. He was staring at his plate again. Looking as if what was on it offended him nearly as much as my landing a hit on him.
“So, you tricked him?” Erik quirked an eyebrow.
“I fell. Kole walked over, bent down to help me, and the rest is history.” I could not hide the devilish grin itching to surface.
“Who hits someone who is trying to help them?” Kole sounded exasperated.
“You should have never let your guard down,” I pointed out, telling him the same words he had told me many times.
“You were raised without manners,” he snarled in response.
My jaw nearly dropped. “Manners? You wish to speak tomeaboutmanners?You held out your hand in training only to shove me back down to the ground, telling me to not let my guard down.”
Kole growled.
“You are such a sore loser,” I said under my breath, knowing they would all still hear it clear as a beautiful, bright day.
“I am not a loser.” Kole’s voice dropped, edged with what sounded like anger. It would have been worrisome if he was not technically supposed to protect me from harm. I may be held in the Lysian lands against my will, but I was not to be hurt, at least not yet. The thought of that instantly dampened my mood, and I shoved it to the back of my mind. The time I spent with Erik was not going to be soured, not when I needed him to set me free. Or at the very least, not when I wanted him to refrain from killing me when I finally freed myself.
“In this instance, you are,” I shot back.
