“That color suits you, beloved.” Koa’s nearly black eyes swept over me, lingering on my dress. “Very pretty with your skin tone.”
I felt a blush creep up my neck and ducked my head, mumbling a thank you.
“All right, sugar booger, let’s get you downstairs before we miss luncheon.” Zane swept me into his arms like I weighed nothing, which, to be fair, wasn’t far from the truth these days.
“Hey! I can walk!” I yelped in surprise, gripping his shoulders.
“Yeah, but why would you whenI’mhere?” he shot back, his gingerbread eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Consent, Z,” Koa grumbled.
And Zane immediately set me down on my feet, so fast I staggered and had to grab his arm to steady myself.
“May I pick you up and carry you down to lunch, Serafina?” He bowed over the arm I was gripping. “Wouldn’t want you taking a tumble.”
I knew I was far from steady on my feet. Plus, there was something comforting about the way he held me, like I was precious.
“Yes, please.” I gave him a sweet smile, and I was hoisted back up in his arms before I knew it.
The banister gleamed under my fingertips, smooth and cool, and the air smelled faintly of lemon polish. My legs dangled, my sore ankle throbbing, but I didn’t mind. It was nice to be cared for.
Koa followed close behind, coaxing Brumous with a treat. The pup hesitated at the top of the marble stairs, his ears flattening as he peered down at the slick surface.
No wonder he only howled from the top earlier.
“Maybe you should carry him,” I suggested, glancing over Zane’s shoulder. “He looks scared.”
Koa shook his head, his black hair brushing his shoulders.
“He needs to learn. Soon, he’s going to be too big to carry everywhere.”
He was right; I couldn’t protect my baby from everything, no matter how much I wanted to.
“Not too heavy forus, of course,” Zane added with a smirk. “Foryou, blossom. Trust me, you won’t be able to lift a full-grown dire wolf.”
I huffed a laugh, even though the thought made me a little sad. Brumous was growing so fast,toofast, but that was the way it should be. When the wolf pup finally made it to the landing, Koa ruffled his fur with a soft smile, and the fact that their kindness extended to Brumous made my heart glow with warmth.
The dining room was all warm light and polished wood, the long table set with gold-edged plates and far too many forks and spoons. Zane sat me in one of the chairs, then claimed the seat next to me, grinning like he’d won some kind of prize. Brumous wagged his tail so hard, it slapped against the floor in a rhythmic thump.
“Where’s Casimir?” I asked, glancing toward the doorway.
Koa opened his mouth to answer, but before he could speak, Casimir strode into the room. His waist-length blond hair was back in a loose knot at his nape, and his green eyes scanned the room like he was looking for threats. In one hand, he held a shoebox, and in the other, a pair of white ankle socks.
“Made it with five minutes to spare, bro!” Zane crowed as he checked his phone. “Luncheon is promptly at noon, remember?”
Cas didn’t say a word. Just walked straight to me, knelt at my feet, and set the box down.
My breath caught as he pulled my foot out from where it was tucked in the rungs, cradling it in his big hands. As he slid a sock on, I stared at his hair, gleaming like spun gold in the sunlight. For a moment, I forgot myself and reached out to touch it, but he shifted to my other foot, and I quickly dropped my hand and shoved my traitorous fingers under my thighs to make them behave.
“I purchased a few other necessities as well and deposited them in your room,” he murmured. “We’ll apply the arnica cream to your bruises three to four times a day.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, watching as he opened the shoebox and pulled out a pair of white sneakers. “Oh! You didn’t have to—”
His scowl made me clamp my lips together. In silence, I watched as he slipped the shoes onto my feet, then tied the laces. When he looked up, his expression was still fierce, like he was daring me to argue.
“You needed footwear.Appropriatefootwear. I have provided it.”
Joy bubbled up inside me. It was such an oddly protective gesture, and one I hadn’t expected. Koa snorted, turning his face awayto hide his laughter, while Zane outright cackled, clutching his stomach like he’d just heard the funniest joke of his life.
