Itanya leapt with joy, grabbing Peytor’s hand and racing toward me to grab mine as well. “Let’s go!” she called, happy giggles preceding our quick trek out of the stables and toward the training yard.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lex
“What’s that smell?” Ilyas asked, wrinkling his nose as he spread out the massive blanket for our seaside picnic. There was no beach in Lishahl, we’d come to find out, as craggy cliffs dominated the coastline.
Despite the danger the cliffs presented, we’d chosen a spot near enough to feel the salty breeze and hear the rushing waves, but not close enough that Itanya risked falling.
“Dead fish,” I deadpanned, pulling the food from the basket the cook had prepared for us. There were a plethora of cheeses and dried meats, fresh fruit and bread, even some tarts for dessert.
“It’s not the sea, you idiot,” Ilyas admonished with a laugh, swatting my shoulder. I rolled my eyes with a chuckle, but couldn’t fully embrace his humor. My offer for Peytor’s presence today was genuine—I wanted Folami to feel comfortable, wanted Peytor to see that we weren’t a threat to his relationship with her—but I couldn’t deny the butterflies that erupted in my stomach at the thought of him joining us.
It was hard enough keeping a straight face when I asked Folami, and I had no doubt that today would be an exercise in restraint for both of us.
I wanted to fuck him.
He wanted to kill me.
Fuck, this was a horrible idea, I grumbled internally, twisting a plate of cheese so the positioning was perfect.
“Daddy smells like horse manure because he was in the stables,” Itanya’s breathy voice called to us, snapping our heads in her direction.
Lo and behold, pulled behind Itanya was Peytor and Folami, the former covered in horse manure and straw, a grimace plastered on his face.
Ilyas let out a boom of a laugh that echoed off the cliffs, only encouraging Itanya’s giggles and pushing my own smile to the surface.
“She wouldn’t let me change,” Peytor grumbled as they neared the blanket, Itanya finally releasing their hands to launch herself at me.
My eyes widened in surprise, and I had just enough time to brace myself before she was tucked firmly against my chest, arms wrapped around me in the fiercest hug I’d ever received.
I melted immediately, clutching her to me with a squeeze.
Itanya let out a small ‘oomph’ before repeating the action with Ilyas. I noticed he was much more gentle with her than I was, holding her like she was something precious.
“Come, sit!” I called, gesturing for a still-standing Folami and Peytor. Folami sent Peytor a hopeful look, one that had Peytor smiling tightly as they joined us on the blanket.
I moved so Itanya sat between Ilyas and I. Folami sat to my left, Peytor to hers, leaving a significant gap between Ilyas and Peytor. The latter said nothing as he reached for a plate, wiping his hand on the blanket before grabbing the food. He made no eye contact, no mumbled words, just simply sat in silence and ate his lunch.
At least he’s not sending death looks my way or sneering at us.
He joined us for lunch—that act alone sent my heart aflutter, and I had to work to dampen my giddiness.
Lunch passed in a combination of comfortable silence and easy conversation. Itanya regaled us with tales of growing up in the Stepstones with Torin as her uncle, each a bit more outlandish than the rest. Folami rolled her eyes periodically but laughed along with her daughter, correcting where necessary.
Ilyas and I told Itanya of the far-off places we’d visited, the people that we met. Though we kept our more violent participation mum.
Even Peytor joined in as dessert was served, telling Itanya about Hestin as she listened in rapture, large eyes wide and expression open.
Over the course of the hour, Folami and Peytor moved closer to Lex and me until the four of us were close enough to touch. My heart fluttered at the ease with which we all communicated, the lightness I felt with all three of them—four, including Itanya—near. I rubbed my sternum as my chest contracted, warmth pooling in my belly as I gazed at each of their relaxed faces.
This. This is what it could be like.
A quick squeeze on my shoulder told me Ilyas felt the same. I shot him a small, grateful smile.
“We really should be going,” Folami admitted reluctantly as the sun passed its zenith, moving closer to the horizon with each moment.
“But, Mama, I want to stay with Lex and Ilyas, and Daddy,” Itanya pouted, and I chuckled at her uncharacteristic display of youth.
