Sol starts quietly. Rio’s fingers dance over the six strings of his instrument, and they follow each other’s lead without even looking, as if they’ve done this so many times that it’s second nature. My breath catches in my chest as I listen. His voice is deep, and low, almost hypnotic, and my eyes slip to Matthias and the softness in his eyes. Esme props her chin on his shoulder.
It comes to an end too soon.
First, there is silence. Sol stares down at the table.
“There.” His voice is gruff. “One song.”
Everyone is still, even Leo. Rio’s fingers trail from the strings.
Matthias leans in, planting a kiss against Sol’s cheek. “Gods, I’m blessed.”
Callan whistles as the rest of us clap enthusiastically. I smile at Rio, raising my hands in silent appreciation for his own talent, and he bows his head.
“On that gods-damned beautiful note, we should head to bed.” Matthias gets to his feet. He nods, a small smile curling up his mouth. “Although some of us are already done for the night.”
I glance down. Leo’s mouth is open as he slumps against me, soft little snores coming from his mouth.
“Here,” Callan murmurs. He eases himself free, shuffles around us and carefully lifts Leo. “I’ll put him to bed, Merrick.”
Matthias wraps his arms around me in farewell, squeezing tightly and whispering something in my ear that has fire lancing my face. “Matthias!”
He snorts with laughter, grabbing Sol’s hand and tugging him through the door as Esme slips on her shoes.
Rio sighs. And then sighs again, when she doesn’t look up. Loudly. “The pallets at the barracks are very uncomfortable.”
Esme’s mouth works. “As if you were going back there anyway. When are you back on shift?”
“When Callan manages to pry himself away from Selene’s side for more than a moment. I guess I’m sort of on extended leave.” He eyes Esme. “So…”
She rolls her eyes good-naturedly, dancing around and planting a kiss on Merrick’s cheek. To my surprise, she gifts another to me. “Come on, then. Thank you for dinner, Merrick. I’ll see you tomorrow, Selene.”
I wave, and then Merrick and I are left at the table. He offers me a smile. “I hope we weren’t too overwhelming for you.”
“Not at all. I enjoyed myself.” More than I’ve enjoyed anything for a long time, in fact.
Merrick nods. “I’m glad to hear it.”
I study him. Wondering. “Merrick? Did you ever come across a faeyte called Lucia, while you were here?”
Grief fills his eyes. So much of it that I regret asking, as his shoulders tighten. But he meets my eyes, his own steady. “Yes. I knew Lucia before she took on her role.”
I almost ask. But then Callan is back. “He’s completely out, Merrick. I pulled his shoes off, but he’s not dressed for bed.”
Merrick waves a hand. “He’ll sleep like a log. It won’t hurt him.”
“Are you ready?” The room suddenly feels too small. Whatever thoughts I had vanish beneath Callan’s gaze.
When I nod, he takes my hand. “Thank you for dinner, Merrick.”
Sadness still lingers in Merrick’s face. But he stands. Callan’s face shifts as Merrick embraces him, his hand falling from mine to return it as his hand comes to rest against the older man’s back. “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is just as it should be.” Merrick pulls away, his eyes bright. He turns to me. “It has been a pleasure, Selene. Truly.”
Impulsively, I step forward. Merrick sucks in a breath as I hug him, his hand settling on my back. “Well, now.”
His voice sounds choked, as I pull back. “You two should head off. It’s getting late. An old man needs his rest.”
Callan grins. “You have many years in you yet. I wouldn’t worry.”
