I couldn’t believe I could look at him all I wanted, whenever I wanted. I couldn’t believe how lucky we were to have dinner together, to live in the space together as man and woman. And he was so damn sexy, the muscles of his shoulders like mountains and his hair so dark against his fair skin. He was even more beautiful alive than when he was dead. “How was your day?” I asked, knowing I’d probably just watch his lips move but not listen to a word he said.
“I hunted in the forest, sold the meat at the market, and bought a couple things.”
“I noticed your pants were new.”
“Got some attire and boots.”
I had access to the treasury of the castle, was welcome to take anything I needed, but I’d chosen to make my own way in life ever since I’d moved out. I made money playing cards at thepub and helping out on the different farms. I knew Callum would never take my money, so I never offered. I knew he was the kind of man that preferred to make his own way in life, to earn his own money. We were the same in that regard. “What did you think of the village?”
“It’s nice. People are friendly.”
“Whenever I need extra money, I’ll take out the boat and fish. Seafood seems to fetch the highest price.”
“You know how to fish?”
“I know how to do everything.”
A hint of pride moved over his gaze before he grabbed a slice of bread and tore off a piece that he dunked into the gravy. It seemed to be cool enough because he took a bite before he grabbed his fork. “I never saw the sea before I sold my soul to Bahamut. You’ll have to teach me.”
“I’d love to.” The food seemed to have cooled down enough, so I started to eat my meal. It was great, full of seasonings and flavor, the meat tender like he’d seared the outside before he’d tossed it into the pot with everything else. “This is great.”
He nodded in acknowledgment of what I’d said.
“Where did you learn to make this?”
“Something I used to eat all the time.”
I noticed he continued not to share many details of his life before he was taken to the underworld. It was still an off-limits topic. But I guess being free of eternal enslavement wasn’t enough to get him to share. Maybe he needed more time.
“How was your mother?”
“Good. Talked to her about the wedding.”
He continued to eat, elbows on the table, a man who rivaled the size of a bear.
“She said it would mean a lot to my dad if you asked for his permission first, something I don’t really agree with.”
“I agree with it.”
I finished my bite as I looked at him. “You do?”
He gave a nod.
“Then why haven’t you asked him?”
He’d just taken a large bite of his food, so he leaned against the wooden back of the chair and chewed as he stared at me. His chest alone was the size of a fireplace. His arms were plump and cut with so many different sections of muscle. He was just big, somehow bigger as a mortal man than a god.
I waited for him to finish eating before he answered.
He swallowed, but words still weren’t forthcoming.
I continued to wait, feeling dread slowly creep from the shadows into the corners of my heart. My intuition warned me about an incoming threat, but I didn’t know why Callum would ever be the cause of harm.
His eyes dropped to the table then he grabbed the linen and wiped his mouth with it.
“Callum?” I thought the pause was innocent at first, but now I knew there was something hidden behind his eyes.
He took a breath before he looked at me again, and his stare… It was so hard and empty and defeated.
