“I have to shower. We just got back from Fress,” I said. “But yeah, I should be down soon.”
“Good. Maybe we could eat together?”
I blinked. Holy fuck. “Uh, yes. Sure. You're welcome to join us anytime.”
“Thank you. That's a generous invitation.” Vardan beamed at me and headed off.
Once he was gone, Caleb declared, “See? You've already replaced Taroc.”
“Taroc? Who's Taroc?” I smirked.
“Good for you!” Caleb smacked my back. “Now, we'd better get to climbing if you want to see Lord Vardan at dinner.”
I groaned.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A few minutes later, I made it to my suite. My strength started to return halfway there, my immortality kicking in to aid my recovery. I almost offered to carry poor Caleb. But he made it upstairs on his own, waved limply to me, and stumbled down the corridor and around the corner to his room. I went into mine. All three of my men were waiting there for me.
“Hey.” I headed toward the bathroom.
“What did you do over in Fress?” Kel asked.
“We started building a house.” I waved them off when they moved as if to stand. “Let me shower and then we can go downstairs for dinner.”
I took a quick shower and got into some fresh clothes, then the four of us faded down to the arrival chamber. Even if I hadn't recovered, the scent of food coming through the archway of the dining hall would have spurred me on. I hurried toward it, stomach rumbling.
As I strode down the center of the dining hall, I searched for Taroc. Not there. My heart fell. Oh, well. I'd given it a try. If he wasn't interested, there was nothing I could do about it. And look whowasthere, sitting at my table—Vardan.
I got in line at the buffet with the men I was already in love with and tried not to think about Taroc anymore. I wasn't going to chase him. That would make things worse. Plus, I just didn't have the energy for this shit. It was time to be myself.
I did, however, have the energy to eat.
After piling my plate high and grabbing a second plate dedicated to bread (and a plum tart), I headed to our table. Nex and some of the others who ate with us were there as well. Finn called out a greeting to me as I sat down.
“Hiya,” I said to him. Then to Vardan, I said, “Hey, I'm glad you've joined us.”
“I'm glad you made it downstairs in time to join me,” Vardan said.
My men perked up and looked from me to Vardan. I saw Rath and Xae share a surprised look, but I ignored them and started eating. Or rather, started shoveling food into my mouth. I was starving!
Nex snorted. “Someone's been working up an appetite.”
I looked up at him with my mouth full, noted his odd expression, swallowed, and said, “Did you have sex with Evina last night?”
“Shh!” Nex hissed. “What the fuck, Ember?”
“What?” I shrugged.
One of the Creen staff members set a mug of water down beside me.
“Thanks, Hilda,” I said.
“You're welcome, Lord Ember.”
After she left, Nex whispered, “I'm not supposed to fuck staff members, remember?”
“That's before the staff became fuckable,” Vardan said.
