She laughed and patted his forearm. “Me too.”
“Please, everyone, eat up.” Merry glanced in the kitchen and shook her head. “There’s nowhere to put all the leftovers if you don’t. I hope you know you’ll be taking some home with you, Tap.”
“I expected no less. The same thing happened at your ceremony, no matter that I made my esca—exit, early.”
Coltor chuckled. “And my kin were cooking then as well. Every kitchen in the glade was overwhelmed.”
“Yes, I had meals for a week. Everything was delicious, I was disappointed when it was all gone.”
“It would be no trouble to send something now and then. We should have thought of that before now, to be honest,” Hailon said. “Seir has mentioned more than once how concerned he is that you’re not eating as much as you should.”
I raised my eyebrow at my brother.
“What?” he said, unrepentant. “I’ve told you so directly many times. I bring you groceries.”
“You do.”
“Still, we can surely send a casserole or leftovers now and then.” Merry nodded. “We always prepare as though we’re trying to feed the whole of d’Arcan and not just ourselves. Best to share it rather than have it go to waste.”
“You’re giving away my leftovers?” Coltor asked, looking positively bereft.
“Oh, for saint’s sake.” Merry laughed. “We’ll figure it out.”
“It’s really not necessary,” I argued, “but I appreciate the concern.”
“Speaking of d’Arcan, should we discuss a day for you to go?” Hailon asked. “I’ve got plans to be there day after tomorrow and again on Wednesday, which is… five days from now.”
“Phin?”
“Oh, I …”
“We’ll let you know. Though I promise it will be soon.”
Phin had gone quiet again, but she seemed relieved, happily sampling the variety of foods on her plate. Thankfully, there were no greens to be found.
“How does it work, exactly, a Nephilim having a hellhound?” Coltor asked. Seir and I blinked at one another, and Merry kicked his ankle under the table. “Sorry. Is it rude to ask that?”
“Since when do you care about rude?” Seir teased. “Do you even remember how we met? You picked a fight with me and then made accusations at Hailon. I had to throw a knife at you.”
“I’d like to think I’ve grown since then, demon.” Seir only laughed harder.
Phin looked up from her plate. “Hellhound?” Ramsey came around the edge of the kitchen cabinets, eyes fixed on Coltor.
“Maybe I misunderstood—” Coltor very quickly turned an alarming shade of red.
“I thought… Can’t hellhounds only bond to demons?” Phin frowned, her violet eyes locked onto mine. Everyone lowered theamount of noise they were making to be sure they could hear her speaking.
“Yes, that’s true,” I said gently.
“But my father is an angel and my mother is human.” She stared from one of us to the next, stopping again when she got to me. Her attention made the bond flare in my chest.
“Humans can have a mixed magical heritage, many times without even knowing.”
“So, my mother …”
Part demon, mistress.Finished with her food, Ramsey came to sit beside Phin, her chin in Phin’s lap.Mostly, in fact.
“Which means I’m…” Phin set her fork down and lowered her hand to her lap. She swallowed and inhaled a deep breath through her nose. Her hand trembled as it reached for mine, and I greedily accepted the invitation, lacing our fingers together. I traced my thumb along the edge of her finger, hoping the gesture brought her the same kind of comfort it did me.
