I grimaced.“Yeah, I don’t want that either.”
John moved closer to the bed.He glanced over his shoulder at Declan.“This is your work too?”
Declan nodded as I ducked under his arm and squeezed his middle.
“You’re brilliant,” I told him.“This is a work of art.I love it.”
He had the softest almost smile on his face as he looked down at me.“I’m glad.”He kissed me and I completely forgot where we were and who was with us until I heard a throat clear.
Face red, I hightailed it out of the bedroom, picking up the food bags and heading to the kitchen.I knew Declan was still working on our dining table and chairs, so I sailed through the empty dining room and stopped in the kitchen doorway.He’d added a bench and table to the corner of the kitchen, beside the window overlooking the ocean.
Perfect.I’d thought we were going to have to balance plates on our laps and eat on the couch.We had a real table, like civilized folk.I went to the cabinet and pulled out our new dishes.I’d unboxed and washed them last night when he was meeting with the pack.I wasn’t sure if he’d even seen them yet.
They were a beautiful white porcelain.Hand-painted wisteria branches with delicate lavender and white blossoms cascaded over the plate.I’d found them in a fancy shop when I was living in England.I’d had no hopes for a family, nor to host a dinner party, but I knew I had to buy the set when I saw them.I’d had them shipped home and they’d been sitting in storage for over a year.It made me unreasonably happy to put them on Declan’s table in our new home.
Declan and John walked in, discussing the underfloor heating in the bathrooms, of all things.
“You made us a breakfast nook.”I grinned up at him, wanting to squeeze him around the middle again.
“I did.”He kissed the top of my head.“And you got us beautiful new dishes.I’ve never seen anything like these.”
John picked up a plate and turned it over, giving a low whistle at the mark on the back.Were they ridiculously expensive?Yes.Yes, they were, but I’d sold some big pieces while I was in England and I was celebrating.Plus, I knew I needed to buy them.
I told the men about the shop where I’d found them and the irrational push to buy them.
“I’m glad you did,” Declan said.“They were made for this home.”
“There’s also a set of everyday, basic dishes, but I thought our first time hosting a dinner in our new home warranted the good stuff.”With a quick spell to reheat the food, I laid out all our options, family style.That way we could try a little of everything.Uncle John and Declan dug in, but when I looked at all the open containers and smelled the mingling scent, I felt sick to my stomach.
Declan nudged the gnocchi toward me.When I ignored it, he put down his fork.“If that doesn’t sound good anymore, there are lots of other dishes to choose from.”
I shook my head.“I’m not hungry anymore.”
He looked stricken.“I can get you something else.”He started to get up, but Uncle John patted Declan’s shoulder.
“This is what it’s going to be like for a little while.Arwyn is healthy.There’s no reason to worry.Chances are this queasiness she’s feeling now will pass in ten minutes or a couple of hours, then she’ll be in here eating all the leftovers.”
Declan’s worried expression remained firmly intact.“Wolves need food.A lot of it.”
I reached over and squeezed Declan’s wrist.“I feel fine.The idea of food right now makes me sick.That’s all.I’ll eat later when this all seems more appetizing.”I nudged him.“Eat.I’m going to make myself some tea.Uncle John?Would you like some?”
He nodded as he took another bite of the lobster ravioli.Seeing him eat made me happy.His gaunt face told me he hadn’t been taking care of himself—understandably so.
“When you’re done, I have some fruit tartlets for dessert for you guys.”I puttered around, making the tea while they ate.I even opened a window so the ocean air could blow away the smell of the food.Being farther away was helping to settle my stomach.
NINE
Embracing Joy
When they finished eating, we moved back to the living room.Declan had wrapped up the leftovers, thank goodness, allowing me to stay far away from them.Uncle John saw the wood in the fireplace and gestured to Declan.
“Is this in working order?”he asked.
Declan nodded, so Uncle John stared at the logs and they burst into flames.He was the only wicche I knew who never used his hands to do magic.He’d told me once that his family had been suspected of wicchecraft in the old country and they’d taught themselves how to cast without any outward movements.It was so cool.
“Okay, starfish.Let’s see what’s going on with you.”John pointed at the couch.“Lie down for me.”
“Starfish?”Declan asked.
