“I wasn’t glaring.”
He looked down at her, she could feel his gaze, though she refused to check. “At one point you bared your teeth.”
She hugged her arms tighter around herself. “So what? What’s your point? I—” She heard the front door close and raced forward without a word.
“Seth!” Sera caught up with him on the stairs. “Seth, I—”
“What the hell was that?” Seth raised an eyebrow at her.
Sera fumbled for words, nothing coherent coming to mind.
“Ah. I see. So you can have a hot, rich suitor, but I have to sit here, alone, waiting for the scraps of your free time? And don’t think I don’t smell that on you, you reek of pine.” He started up the stairs again.
“Seth, listen, I have no problem with you finding someone, you know that.”
“Do I though?” Seth didn’t stop, but talked as she fought to keep pace with him. “You were glaring at Varian the entire time he was here. And all the while, you walk in saturated in pine-scented debauchery. Thought we were keeping away from Kieran?”
“I was. I am.”
“His hair looked more sex-teased than a whore.”
“Seth, just listen to me. You’re right.”
Seth stopped, just outside their door. He didn’t go inside, but he crossed his arms and remained silent long enough for her to catch her breath and her racing thoughts.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment, but Seth, we’re friends. We’re best friends. I only ever want what’s best for you. And Varian seems nice. I would want to be sure, but I don’t see any warnings yet. All I’m asking is to slow down, take a minute. He’s clearly interested, he’s not going anywhere, you have time.”
Seth huffed, but finally met her eyes. “I suppose you’re not wrong. And… I guess I forgive you. Because, honestly, I feel really good right now and the last thing I want to do is be pissed off.”
Seth’s good humor was restored, but Sera did not feel any better. She was glad he forgave her but the fear of losing him was starting to fester.
When it was time to eat, their trays waiting outside their room like always, she realized that she hadn’t spoke to Kieran since Varian left. As much as she wanted to see if any of their former spark was salvageable, she couldn’t bring herself to leave Seth.
Kieran was a risk, a step toward uncertainty that she merely hoped would be as good as she imagined. Seth was her one real connection since Gideon. She had to make sure that Varian didn’t come between them, to make sure Seth understood that she would be there for him.
She brought in the trays and let Seth know she’d be back in a second. Closing the door, she hesitated. Not sure if she had the strength to do what she intended.
The layout of this house was still somewhat perplexing. She wasn’t used to so many rooms and hallways and servants stairs. It was endless. But she guessed Kieran would be in the dining room on the ground floor. It was probably the first time he’d been home on time for dinner. Andshewas supposed to be the appetizer.
Damn it, Sera, get a grip on yourself.
She could hear him well before she entered, pausing to steel her nerves before barging forward.
Kieran jumped from his seat when she entered, dropping his fork full of food back to the plate with a clatter.
“Sera.”
She looked down at his plate, a smile threatening to form even though she did not feel at all like smiling.
He cleared his throat and fixed his fork properly back on the napkin. He still hadn’t sat down.
“Was your tray not brought up as planned?” He asked, likely to fill the silence. She had let the atmosphere turn awkward.
“Yes, thank you,” she said.
He nodded.
She looked at her shoes.
