Larkin turns to me and nearly bites my head off. “I’m sitting here.”
My brows raise. “Oh, are you one for politeness now?”
My response catches him off guard, and he shifts in his seat. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“Now,” I whisper. “That isn’t all true.”
He nearly snarls.
“What is your problem with me?” I snap.
Silas hears our exchange and places his hand on my leg under the table.
“Be nice, Spiridon,” Warrick snaps at Larkin from across the table. “You are being ruder than normal.”
My body tenses at the surname, and I glance at Warrick, who gives me a reassuring smile, confirming he has my back at this moment. I return a grin and settle into my seat, feeling victorious at flustering Larkin. Two can play this game, and I’ll win.
Larkin places his open palms on the table and opens his mouth to speak, when two doors in the far corner—I didn’t notice them before—open slowly, causing a creak to echo around the room.
A tall woman enters the room first. Her black, flowing hair peppered with gray cascades to her waist. She wears a dark green gown—the same shade as Fen’s—which flows gracefully with her. Her shoes click resoundingly against the smooth floor as she strides purposefully toward us. Piercing eyes that mirror Silas’s meet mine momentarily, and that’s when I realize his mother, Aerona Nastronde, has just entered the room.
She’s stunning, clearly aging gracefully. She smiles at Fen, taking a moment to remain standing to meet the stares of everyone around her, thin lines forming around her eyes as she does so. A bright jade amulet hangs from her neck, catching my attention. It’s beautiful and seems to suck in all the light that dares twinkle around it. I glance beside her at Fen, noting it’s the same necklace that adorns her neck, with similar features in the stone that are hard to miss. Fen definitely inherits her looks from her mother, although I can’t help but notice the slight differences between Silas and his family.
“Good evening,” Aerona says, her voice floating around us.
I only stare as the others nod in her direction, smiling without speaking, except Silas. His face remains hard and focused on the double doors that seem to pulse in the darkness. Warrick quickly stands, brushing his hand over Fenmore’s shoulders, and walks to pull out the large wooden chair for Aerona to take a seat. She offers him a soft smile, and a nod as he pushes her against the table. Fenmore watches with a look of pride in her eyes and winks as he sits back down beside Oak.
Everyone continues speaking in hushed tones, all a bit too casual for how I feel inside. Silas’s hand stays on my leg, and for a moment, I feel it tremble slightly. I move my hand down to squeeze his tightly, just to let him know I’m here. Aerona leans over, gently kissing Fen on the cheek, and whispers something in her ear. Fen tilts her head back with a laugh, and I watch their exchange.
The queen leans around Fenmore and says something to Warrick, who nods with a dazzling smile that creases his dark eyes. I keep watching them, glancing back toward Silas now and then, but nothing has changed. His brow tightens, and he only seems to focus on the doors, as if he’s on high alert, unable to pull himself into reality.
His mother flashes a look across the table, noticing my stare. “Briar Blackbyrne.”
The entire table pauses.
I sit taller in my chair. “It’s nice to meet you, Aerona,” I say, dipping my chin in respect.
“You as well,” her regal voice responds.
“Thank you for hosting us.” I shift in my chair. “Your home is stunning.”
She narrows her gaze. “You are polite.”
I angle my head and notice the tension pulse around the room like a heartbeat as the others stop breathing to observe our exchange.
“You expected otherwise?”
“Your reputation has followed you across the sea.” Her gaze looks me up and down. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, if we are being honest.”
I smile. “I always prefer honesty.”
“Your eyes are quite stunning.” She tilts her head as her gaze bores into mine. “Beauty, confidence, and eliciting fear—the three deadly qualities a woman can possess.” She pauses. “Among other things.”
I pause momentarily, letting the words wash over me like an ice bath.
“Those are three things I care nothing for,” I snap back.
“You should.”
