“Careful,” he murmured, putting a palm on her waist, but she hastily stepped back, eyes wide.
His hand lowered, fingers clenched.
Nia couldn’t see his face, but she sensed his dejection as he crossed to the oven at the back wall, checking on whatever was there. Then he walked out through the far exit.
Her mouth tight, Jenna turned to the window, set the soda down, and rubbed her temples.
Shae shot up and hurried over. “How was your run, Mom?” Her soft voice drifted to Nia.
Týr shook his head and strode for the door. “Aethan, let’s go get in a game or two of pool before work,” he called out, breaking the tense air. “Us against Blaéz and Dag.”
“You’re on.” Dagan rose, his braided hair swaying like multiple whipcords down his back. He cast a glimmer of a smile at his mate, picked up his wine goblet, and followed.
“And they’re sure to lose,” Blaéz added, tone baiting as he kissed Darci’s head.
Aethan touched Echo’s back. “I’ll see you shortly,me’morae.”
“You can try, you cheating bastard,” Týr’s voice drifted as the door shut behind Aethan and Blaéz.
Nia blinked, a little overwhelmed.
“This is them,” Lore murmured.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to them,” Darci told Nia. With a sigh, she rose. “Please excuse me. I need to make sure my mate remains in one piece.”
Nia’s mouth twitched at her dry comment, her attention returning to Echo. Her sister set down her untouched juice, got a glass of water, and gripped the edge of the sink with one hand as she guzzled it.
Nia frowned. Maybe it was the twin connection, but something definitely wasn’t right with her sister.
Chapter
Thirty-Four
The quiet inthe kitchen after the males had departed gave Lore a much-needed respite. Mostly because he felt like shit, and he wasn’t up to handling the warriors. Never mind, he’d be joining them soon enough with his new job.
More, he didn’t want Nia to know the true extent of the pain tearing through his shoulder blades.
He glanced at his mate and found her texting on her cell.
What are you doing?
Sending you a dirty text.
He blinked, and she cut him a teasing sideways look.It’s just a quick message to Ely.She hit send and dropped her cell on the table.
This female.
Kira hurried over and placed a steaming silver bowl in front of them. She removed the lid and set it aside. “You guys barely had anything to eat since you came here, so dig in.”
Something fragrant with herbs drifted to him. The scent had often teased his nose from the potted plants out on the kitchen terrace. His belly constricted…hunger. Another new normal for him.
“It’s chicken broth,” Kira said. “I thought it might be easier for an angel’s first meal. Nia, there’s roast beef if you prefer.”
“No, I’ll have the same, too,” she said. “Thanks.”
“Okay, good. Enjoy then. Shae, c’mon,” she called out. “Let’s go keep our guys from maiming each other.”
Lore didn’t pay them any heed, his attention on the steaming concoction.
