“I figured you’d need a bit of quiet after everything.”
And you, too,she thought but didn’t say so. “It’s perfect. Back home, most times I eat in front of my TV.”
He took the chair opposite her, then removed the silver dome from the food, revealing a deep silver bowl of what looked like thick, creamy seafood bisque, the rich fragrance wafting to her and making her mouth water.
“No butler?” she teased.
“Not when I eat here.” He smiled. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I asked for both meat and vegetables.”
“I’m not a vegetarian,” she murmured as he uncovered another platter laden with slices of roasted, smoked dark meat, veggies that looked like black potatoes, white and red stalks, and purple baby carrots, maybe? She wasn’t sure.
“Go on.” He nodded at their dinner.
Leya served herself some of the creamy bisque, with colorful veggies and chunks of some kind of pale, flaky meat floating in it. She spooned some and ate it. The creamy soup and tender meat melted in her mouth.
The soft clatter of silverware filled the silence as they ate, but just thinking about what was to come, her appetite deserted her.
“Food not to your liking?”
“No, it’s delicious.” Leya met his quiet stare, an ache constricting her chest. Guess this was another piece of her heart she had to find a way to mend when she left. But she wanted this time with him, even if it was just momentary. Once back home, life would revert to trying to save the family business. And this would all be a dream.
She suppressed a deep sigh, and sipped some water. “So, what exactly is this Stone of Light?” She tried for normal and ate a little more soup. “So far, I know it’s mystical and invaluable to Empyrea. And without it, all the wildlife and animals succumbed to death.”
He stared at her for a long second, and wariness enclosed her like a net. Whatever this was, it affected him deeply.
He shoved his chair back and rose, dropping his napkin on the table. “Come with me.”
Worried now, Leya set her spoon down. “Where are we going?”
He didn’t respond, just drew her to him. His arm came around her, and he dematerialized them.
Moments later, they reformed amidst a thicket of trees. Soft voices and noise drifted to them. Keeping hold of her hand, Aerén pushed aside the branches of the autumn-hued leaves— with the same ashy tones and wilted appearance she’d noticed elsewhere—and they stepped onto a paved stone sidewalk. The smell of earth, stone, and the spicy-sweet fragrances of a new world enclosed her.
Late evening sunlight cast pretty colors over caramel-colored stone shops with gorgeous red tiled roofs and over the people moving about. In the distance, tall towers dotted the landscape, like spears embedded in the earth.
Her attention settled with avid interest on the people strolling the streets. No, not people,angels!
Yup, just as she thought. Like Jisele, all the women were as tall as the men and incredibly lovely in their long, flowing, pastel gowns, with their striking skin tones ranging from porcelain to a deep rich, nut brown.
Thankfully, Aerén kept his hand on her back, keeping her cool so she didn’t look like a dish rag—
Excited chatter rose. Several of the willowy, ethereal women glanced their way as if attuned to Aerén’s arrival. Like a flock of peacocks, they glided over and curtsied with pretty smiles.
“Your Highness,” a dark woman, the leader of the gaggle, simpered. “It’s wonderful to see you. I heard you were back.”
“Good eve,” Aerén murmured. He didn’t encourage conversation or introduce Leya, and they strolled off, casting curious looks over their shoulders at her.
Deeper voices had her attention shifting to a duo of males sauntering toward them. They slowed and gave Aerén a half bow, their gazes lingering on her before strolling off.
Appendages fluttered out of their backs—startling her—as wide as they were tall. One man possessed white-tipped, dove-gray feathers, and the other sported deep brown plumage flecked with gold.
“They have wings,” she breathed as they shot off into the sky.
“Aye. And are showing off for you,” he said drily. “But it’s known to happen when Empyreans mate with the divine angels—”
“What?” Her gaze snapped to him.
“Did you not know this?” An eyebrow rose. “Angels mate with mortals, too. The Watchers did so eons ago.”
