“You still struck the blow, Shane,” Tae said as he took my hand. “I saw you—watched you the entire time. You never wavered. You could have gone for help, but instead, you took that Farungal on alone.”
“As every soldier in battle does.” I shrugged. “Except that I had the advantage on him, and I knew you wouldn't last long enough for me to summon help.” I smiled to banish the dark thoughts those words inspired and said brightly, “Hey, let's not get into this again. I'm your valorian. You got me good, babe. You don't have to flatter me.”
“No, I don't. But I always give credit where it's deserved.” Tae smiled.
“Thanks. And this is nice.” I sighed and snuggled closer to him. “I like the cuddling in front of a fire part of cold weather.”
“Just wait until we have sex in front of the fire.” He nuzzled my cheek.
“Why wait?” I gave him a saucy look.
Tae chuckled and glanced at the clock on the mantle. “Because our guests are due to arrive any time now.”
I groaned.
“I haven't seen them in years, Shane,” Tae said sternly. “Try to be nice.”
“Yeah, I know. I'm sure they're great, I was just really enjoying being alone with you.”
“I'll try to discourage them from staying too long.”
“No, don't do that. I don't want to be the guy who tries to take you away from your friends. Let them stay as long as they like. Or, rather, as long as you like.”
“Thank you.”
“Not that you needed my permission,” I amended.
Tae burst out laughing.
“My lord?” Halfrin stepped out of the elevator.
“Are they here, Hal?”
“Yes, my lord. I've shown them into the casual dining room.”
“Very good.” Tae stood and offered me a hand.
I took it and sighed as I got to my feet. I decided to try my best to like Tae's friends. I reminded myself that they had just been looking out for Tae, and were probably good people under their arrogance. I mean, Sanasenne was a princess, I suppose she had a right to her arrogance. Or at least a reason for it. Besides, it was only one night, and we wouldn't be staying in Varalorre long; I could do this.
We went downstairs with Halfrin, then parted ways after we stepped out of the elevator.
“I'll send the first course in now, my lord,” Halfrin said as he hurried away.
Although we had gone downstairs, or down in the elevator rather, we weren't on the first floor. Instead, we were on the fifth floor of the keep, and Tae led me through a short hallway before opening a door and waving me into an intimate dining room. The far wall was glass—not a balcony, just a massive window. Beyond it, snow swirled, the closest flakes lit by the fae lights that hung from glittering chandeliers above the dining table. It was a six-seater and two of the chairs, including one of the two on the short ends, were already taken.
Princess Sanasenne looked regal despite her lack of a crown and absolutely stunning in an indigo gown that matched Tae's bed linens exactly—a bit of an odd coincidence. The color made her seem paler and her eyes almost looked blind. She was the one who had taken one of the end seats and to her right, General Thalsar sat, wearing a gold brocade tunic that complemented his skin and her gown.
“There you are!” Thalsar declared as we came into the room.
“You couldn't have been waiting long; we came straight down,” Tae said as he stepped forward and hugged the General.
“No, not long at all. I'm just excited to see you,” Thalsar said as he released my warlord.
Sanasenne didn't stand, but Tae bent down to kiss her cheek and say, “You look beautiful tonight, Sana.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She stroked Tae's cheek.
During this intimate moment—which I told myself was normal behavior for friends who'd been separated for years, I stood to the side awkwardly. I didn't want to sit down before Tae did because I wasn't sure if he'd choose to sit beside the Princess or take the other end of the table. He did the latter, but since it was a short table, there wasn't a huge space between them. I sat on his right, opposite Thalsar but down a seat.
