Yes, because Eastern Blood requires frequent stirrings at this stage. But I shrug, saying, “It’s n-not exactly safe for me to wander alone.”
Arin nods in understanding. “With news of this Prince Balior, I dare say I would not want to wander alone either.”
“Quite right,” Demi quips, turning to me. “Though if you ever want company, love, you can always visit me. Room twenty-two, second floor.”
It is a welcome offer, though I am not without my suspicions. But I settle in, basking in the warm sun, songbirds flitting amongst the bougainvillea. Is this what it feels like to know peace?
The server returns with our order, and soon, the entire table is covered in a variety of foods. Arin and Demi transfer small servings onto their own plates. I hesitate, unsure if I’m allowed to do the same. After a few moments, the goddess sets down her fork.
“If you are hungry,” she says, “you should eat.”
It is spoken meaningfully, which makes me question whether it is food she refers to, or something more, something cowering beneath the surface of my skin that I cannot yet expose.
So I eat. Mostly with utensils, sometimes with my hands, when required. I eat until my stomach strains, I eat until my taste buds grow numb, I eat for the simple joy of exploration. It has been a long time since I’ve shared a meal with others. It heals something in me to realize Demi and Arin enjoy my company. Imagine if Nan could see me now.
As I shove another spoonful of dessert into my mouth, Arin stays my hand. “I’d slow down on the iceberry cream,” he says with a teasing smile. “It’s known to cause gastrointestinal issues when eaten in large quantities.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
My throat closes, and I sputter, spraying food across my plate. Arin’s eyes gutter like extinguished coals.
I swivel in my seat. The East Wind looms over our table, having drawn the attention of those enjoying lunch in the courtyard. Hisanger is palpable, expelled outward from his hulking frame in waves of ravenous heat.
“Eurus.” The goddess rises, arms spread, her smile cutting enough to rival a freshly sharpened blade. “If I had known you would be joining us, I’d have made the reservation for four.”
“I’m not here to join you,” he clips out.
“Yes. I forgot about your abhorrence of happiness,” she responds sweetly.
The East Wind’s cloak snaps in a rain-scented breeze. “I’m here for my assistant.”
“Maybe so, but you can wait until we’re finished eating.”
“That’s all right,” I blurt out. “I’m d-d-done eating.”
The goddess studies me closely. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” I look to Demi, then to Eurus, back to Demi. One cloaked in darkness, the other swathed in color and light. “I sh-should go with him.”
“That’s what you want?” Demi presses, with a pale touch against my arm.
I nod vigorously. Her skepticism is plain, but she doesn’t seek to change my mind. Instead, she reaches into her purse. Six, seven, eight gold coins clatter onto the table. “This should cover lunch.” She glances at Arin, who has yet to remove his gaze from the East Wind. “Shall we?”
As soon as they vanish around the corner, Eurus growls, “Stay away from Demi.”
He provides nothing more. No explanation, no reasonable evidence to support his stance. He commands and assumes I will fall in line. A part of me—a very large part—wants to. If I make no waves, there is no risk of capsizing. But I enjoyed my time in Demi and Arin’s company. Am I to trust Eurus’ perspective simply because he hammered it into my will?
“Are y-y-you going to tell m-me why?” I prompt.
“She is divine,” he snaps, guiding me down an unfamiliar street. “No other explanation is needed.”
I lengthen my stride to keep pace. “What is the r-r-real reason?” Why single out Demi? What, exactly, is their history? If they wereonce lovers, something must have come between them. “Did she b-break your heart?”
Eurus nearly trips over his own feet. He grunts, forces a path through the throng with his winds. A handful of the divine slam against the shop windows with cries of outrage. He ignores them. “She did not break my heart. She broke my trust. I believed she wanted what was best for me. But she showed her true colors. Never again.”
If anything, his response manages to paint a more obscure image of his past. But I drop it, for now. “Wh-what about Arin?”
“What about him?”
