“It’s so, so wonderful to see you, Atria. I can’t wait to hear about all your research,” she gushed. “Oh, but wait, I need to introduce you!”
Margot turned slightly, one hand still resting on Atria’s shoulder, to address her husband, who stood by their table with his hands in his pockets and wearing an indulgent look on his face. “Theodore, this is my friend Atria Le Roy. We saw each other a lot back before— well, you know. Atria, this is my husband Theodore.”
It was sweet that Margot thought to introduce them, but almost comically unnecessary. Her husband was one of the most powerful leaders in the United Territories and Allies, if not the entire world.Everyoneknew his name.
Still, Atria offered the elf who stood patiently by the table in their private dining room a respectful nod. “A pleasure, Sovereign.”
At almost seven feet tall, blue-skinned, and clawed, Theodore Solbourne cut quite the imposing figure against the soft cream walls and twinkling skyline of the dining room. His eyes, such a dark blue that she could not make out the catlike pupil distinct to elves, flicked from her face to where Margot’s hand rested on her shoulder and back again.
His features, previously set in indulgent lines, softened even further. A dimple popped on one cheek when he said, “Call me Teddy.”
Goodness. On a nickname basis with the sovereign already?Luckily Atria was good at hiding her surprise. For want of a good response, she nodded before turning her attention back to her friend. “You look wonderful, Margot.”
And so much happier.Atria couldn’t quite move past that part. She had very, very rarely met anyone as happy as they were.
It was warm, slightly bubbly, like a spiced cream soda on the emotional palate. And it wasn’t just Margot. It came from the sovereign, too. Emotion tended to move in pulses, ebbing and flowing through an aura. Their currents were perfectly timed — when one ebbed, the other flowed.
“I feel good,” she replied, laughing a little. “Well, I’m a bit tired. Long day at the hospital. But otherwise I’m great.”
A big blue hand settled on the nape of Margot’s neck, drawing her attention up to the elf who had come to hover protectively over her. “My love, come sit down and eat something.”
Margot scrunched up her pert nose. “I’m fine. I had a—”
“A granola bar, a packet of coconut yogurt, and a peanut butter cookie from the cafeteria,” he flatly recited with a heavy, arched brow. “Those things don’t make a meal and you know it.”
“I wasbusy,”she argued, cheeks flushing. “Healer Mason and I were in meetings all day.” Margot sent Atria a disgruntled look. “We’re working on a massive expansion of Healing Houses and an outreach program for the were community, so we’ve been super busy. Sometimes that means we miss lunch, and I forget that my guards are all dirty snitches. They’re all bad, but Aman is theworst.”
“Captain Aman is dedicated to your health and safety.” Theodore’s lips quirked. “He worries about you, my love. I knew he’d take care of you when I can’t. It’s the reason I asked him to be the Captain.”
“He’s still a dirty snitch,” she groused.
“Of course. That’s theotherreason I promoted him.”
Atria could only watch the by-play with brows raised. She’d never seen Margot so relaxed, and it was a touch unsettling to witness the sovereign, whose public image was as hard and sharp as his diamond-hard claws, be so…domestic.
“Dinner now,” he pressed, gently guiding his wife over to the table.
“Fine, but only because I love you.”
Bending to pull out her chair for her, he also used it as an opportunity to press a kiss to the crown of her head. “That’s good enough for me.”
As Margot situated herself, he circled the table to pull out the chair opposite her and gestured for Atria to sit. Not wanting to offend, she hastened over, her long, semi-translucent skirt rippling around her legs, and uncomfortably allowed him to scoot her chair in for her.
That done, the sovereign removed his suit jacket, slung it over the back of the chair to Margot’s left, and sank down beside her.
Immediately, as if it was pure muscle memory, Margot reached for his hand. Their fingers intertwined on the white table cloth as she looked over the offerings on the table — a wild mix of raw meats and vegetarian fair.
“Okay, so youhaveto tell me,” Margot began, her right hand moving as she loaded up her plate with bean fritters, cucumber salad, and sautéed eggplant. “What’s happening with your research? Ruby told me you two made a huge breakthrough, and I know you were in town for a meeting with Dr. Contreras-Aždaja, but I am dying to hear the details.”
The food smelled delicious. Her stomach rumbled as she looked over the incredible spread, reminding her that her last meal was almost ten hours prior and consisted of the dull fare offered at a cheap hotel’s continental breakfast.
Atria hadn’t enjoyed a meal this nice in years. Scientists weren’t exactly the kind of people who were wined and dined. They weren’t predisposed to spoiling themselves, either, so she generally survived off of a steady diet of frozen meals, chips, and protein shakes. Pizza, too. Shelovedpizza.
Peeking at the sovereign through her lashes, she found him deftly loading his own plate up with thick slices of bloody meat drizzled in sauce, as well as choice bits so thin, they were practically translucent in the soft light from the chandelier overhead.
The sight of him filling his plate nearly made her wilt with relief. It hardly seemed like the impolite thing to descend on the food now that he had his fill.Good to go!
Following their lead, she quickly began piling her own plate with fluffy rolls, eggplant, parmesan encrusted cauliflower, stewed tomatoes strewn with chunks of what looked like halloumi, and a single bean fritter.
