Tate didn’t respond, finally noticing Ryu propped against the doorway with his arms folded.
She lifted her chin, not ashamed in the slightest to be caught acting childish. In this house, meals were a battle won only through nefarious means. The dining room was a reflection of that. The furniture was made of sturdy material that could take the abuse they heaped onto it. There were nicks and dings throughout. Glass had been removed from everywhere but the windows after the third time Dewdrop shattered it.
As crazy as their antics seemed, it was Tate’s favorite part of every day.
“I don’t suppose anything remains?” Ryu asked, scanning the table.
“They’ll bring more out soon.” Tate plopped down in a chair opposite Dewdrop.
“But not tarts,” Dewdrop moaned. “Those are gone because of those greedy guts.”
Ryu pushed off the door frame and sauntered toward Tate. “Having fun?”
She lifted her head as he bent toward her, dropping a kiss on her lips. Dewdrop gagged.
“Of course.”
Tate’s lips curled, already planning the next breakfast heist. Tomorrow, she’d make sure she got her fair share. And no pretty dragon man was going to distract her this time.
“What’s the plan for today?” Dewdrop asked, not moving his head from his folded arms.
“I thought we’d give Christopher a visit.”
Dewdrop propped his chin on his arms to peer up at Tate with an incredulous expression. “You got permission? How did you manage that?”
Tate lifted a shoulder. “I have my ways.”
Dewdrop fixed Ryu with a look as a woman entered carrying a platter of eggs, a plate of rolls and a delicious roasted tomato dish.
“She was quite convincing,” Ryu murmured.
“You mean she insulted someone.”
The woman set the dishes down on the table before shooting a glance at the decimated buffet. “I see you lot are as uncivilized as ever.”
“Blame the twins,” Dewdrop perked up at the sight of the food, reaching for it. Tate blocked his hand, yanking the dish toward her first and scooping half the eggs onto her plate.
Dewdrop sneered and snatched the entire basket of rolls, cradling it to his chest.
Tate narrowed her eyes at him. “You only get one.”
“Who says?”
The woman cuffed him on the back of his head, doing the same to Tate seconds later. “Share. I’m not making any more.”
She headed for the doorway, shaking her head as she muttered. “How did Roslyn talk me into serving this bunch?”
Without a word, Ryu took Tate’s plate, dumping a quarter of the eggs onto his own before taking a smaller portion from the main dish. Finished, he pushed it toward Dewdrop and held out his hand.
Dewdrop grudgingly turned over all but two of the biscuits which Ryu distributed to his and Tate’s plates. Next, he picked up the tomato dish, spooning an even amount onto each as well.
He did it all with the ease of someone who’d witnessed and dealt with situations similar to this a thousand times. Tate and Dewdrop were silent for several seconds before picking up their silverware.
“Don’t expect this to work on the twins,” Tate warned before tucking into the food.
Dewdrop didn’t even bother with a response while inhaling his breakfast.
“We’ll see,” Ryu said with a twitch to his lips.
