“I heard about Daimonion,” I murmured, stealing his beer for a sip.
He shrugged as I handed it back. “Never known the bastard to dare enter this territory.”
“I’m sorry.”
Another shrug. “I’ve always known he was out there. My plans haven’t changed.”
I couldn’t speak for a moment, my heart racing at the thought of Vas taking on Lucifer’s assassin. He’d killed Samael’s parents when he was just a baby. If Vas took him on now…
“I’m stronger than you think, Danica.”
I turned my head. He was watching me. “Vas–”
“As soon as Lucifer is dead, I’ll get my full power back. The power I should have always had. And then I’ll make Daimonion regret targeting my parents.”
“Dinner is served,” a voice said, and Vas held his arm out for me to link with mine.
“We’re talking about this later,” I said.
“Not tonight. Tonight I need to drink enough to forget.”
I frowned at that, and he smiled. “Don’t worry about me, Dani.”
The theme was Greek tonight, and Samael pulled my chair out for me, gently pushing it back in before leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek.
Aw.
I took a deep, steadying breath and glanced at Lilith. She gave me a reassuring nod. Who would’ve thought I’d be turning toLilithfor support?
The servers put the platters and bowls on the table, and everyone got busy loading up their plates. Samael watched, and I lowered my shield enough to feel him down the other end of the bond. Pure contentment. Having dinner with the people he considered his family made him happy. He glanced at me and raised his eyebrow, and I felt the contentment deepen into something like tenderness.
Here goes nothing. Butterflies danced in my stomach, climbing up my throat until I was pretty sure I was going to toss my cookies.
Now that would be a gesture.
My heart stuttered in my chest as I reached for the closest dish. Some kind of Mediterranean rice. I took a spoonful and leaned over, plopping it on Samael’s plate.
He tensed. I couldn’t look at him, but I could feel him next to me, so still he barely breathed.
The chatter was quieting, and I wished everyone would go back to their own business. But I reached for a fish dish next, laying a spoonful next to the rice. Finally, I took some roasted vegetables and added them too.
Silence claimed the room. I squirmed in my seat, a combination of mortification and vulnerability making my legs twitch with the urge to get to my feet and bolt toward the elevator.
From the shocked possessiveness I was feeling from the other end of the bond, Samael wouldn’t tolerate that.
I blew out a long shuddering breath. I wasn’t a coward. If I was going to make the gesture, I had to at least see how it was received.
He was staring at me, his silver eyes alight with that tenderness, a brutal kind of lust, and… love. I glanced away, but he took my hand and I understood. While I was almost ashamed of my own vulnerability, Samael had absolutely no problem showing me how he felt about me.
My throat tightened, and his gaze softened at whatever he saw in my eyes.
The tension was thick enough to chew on. Finally, Samael picked up his fork and took a single bite.
Raucous applause sounded. Lilith grinned at me while Vas popped open a bottle of champagne, immediately filling glasses. Bael smiled at me, and even Ag gave me an approving nod. Would wonders never cease.
Vas kept the toast simple. “To Samael and Danica.”
I took a sip of champagne, the bubbles warring with the bubbling in my chest. Samael understood. He knew I hated public attention, so he merely raised his glass.
