I did and we started scrolling.He tapped his dashboard screen, calling the restaurant.When someone answered, he said, “We’d like to place an order for me to pick up.”
“Absolutely.What would you like?”the woman on the line said.
“We’ll take an order of the garlic bread, the crab arancini, um, the beet and orange salad, the lamb pappardelle, the lobster ravioli—that’s okay, right?”he asked me.
I nodded, understanding he was asking if it was okay to eat certain kinds of seafood.I loved that he understood that for me, some sea animals were friends and some were food.
“The lasagna,” he continued.“Oh.The balsamic glazed salmon.”He turned to me.“What do you want?”
The woman on the phone made a funny sound, but whatever.We could be ordering for six people, instead of a werewolf.She didn’t know.“I’ll have the apple gorgonzola gnocchi and the poached pear salad.Thank you.”
She read back the order and said it would be ready in about thirty minutes.
“I’ll take you home first,” he said, “and then run and get the food.”
“I feel silly saying this, but I’m really excited about lying down on the new couch.”We were slowly finding furniture pieces for the new place, and we’d actually found a couch that was big enough for my six-and-a-half-foot boyfriend to stretch out on.It was huge, deep, and so very cozy.Luckily, he’d built us a large living room, so it didn’t feel dwarfed by the couch.
“I got a call today,” he told me.“The new bed is being delivered tomorrow.”
I clapped my gloved hands.The sound was muffled but no less excited.“I can’t wait.Do you know when you’ll have the bed frame done?”
“All done and set up in our bedroom.We’re ready for the mattresses to be delivered.”He reached over and rubbed my thigh.“Finally, a bed big enough for me.”
We’d ordered an Alaskan king bed, which is longer and wider than a Cal king.Sheets were hard to find, but that’s what the internet is for.I’d already received a couple of sets, and they were washed and ready to go.Our home was starting to come together.
Declan dropped me off and I climbed the back stairs to our flat above his workshop.Like the gallery, I’d created the wards on our home, so I didn’t need a key.With a flick of my fingers, I unlocked the door and went in.I dropped my backpack by the umbrella stand beside the door and went to the bedroom to change.
I stopped in the doorway, stunned.The bed frame was incredible.It was a deep, rich wood, with drawers integrated into the base.It was the headboard, though, that took my breath away.It went almost to the ceiling.He’d carved Monterey Cypress trees in relief, their gnarled trunks disappearing behind where the mattress would soon be.Even in our home, we’d be sleeping under the trees.
After putting on my softest lounge pants and hoodie, I went to the couch, curled up at the end, and sank into softness.I felt myself drifting when I remembered I needed to call my Uncle John.
I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen.I worried it was going to go to voicemail, but then he answered.
“Arwyn?”
“Hi, Uncle John.I’ve missed you.”I tapped speakerphone so I wouldn’t have to hold it a hairsbreadth from my face.
“It’s good to hear from you, honey.How are you?”
“The Council met today, so I’m feeling worn out,” I told him, wishing I had a throw on the new couch.I wanted a blanket.
“I know sleep is hard for you.Would you like to try a sleeping potion again?”
I shook my head, not that he could see.“No way.The last time we tried that, I was trapped in a horrific nightmare that went on and on.”I paused for a moment, considering.“Can I tell you a secret?Well, two actually.”
“You can tell me anything, honey.You know I’m always on your side.”
Tears rushed to my eyes.I tried to speak, but nothing would come out.
“Arwyn?”
I sniffled.“Still?Even after…” Even after I killed his daughter.
He cleared his throat.“Don’t cry.Please.I’m her father.It was my responsibility to stop her.”We were both quiet; the enormity of what had happened was too much for both of us.“I don’t blame you—or anyone.Callio—” he breathed heavily, then said, “Calliope killed her own mother and her grandmother on her cursed crusade for more power.”
He paused.“I don’t know who ultimately stopped her and I don’t want to know, at least not yet.It had to be done, and we’re blessed that someone was strong enough to do it.”
It took me a moment to make peace with his acceptance.“How’s Serena doing?”I asked, referring to his eldest daughter.
