After finishing her plate, she turned to Caspian and said with sincerity, “Thank you for the meal.”
Caspian turned to her, as if surprised to hear her speak and asked, “How do you like your new home so far?”
She murmured that it was very lovely and thanked him for his hospitality. Demure, quiet. Her mother would have applauded the performance. She was a beautiful flower for him to admire, nothing more.
Asmodeus asked her if she had been this far north before. She gently shook her head.
“Where exactly are we in Arboras?” she asked curiously.
Finnigan answered, “Veridas, girl. That’s the closest city. We are a half day’s ride west. As you probably know, Volantia is the capital of Arboras, but it is far from here.”
She nodded.
Finnigan asked her, “Have you ever been to Arboras before?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Asmodeus gave a lazy smile, and gestured around the room. “Spectacular isn’t it?”
She said nothing.
Finnigan made a few inquiries about her trip and her life in Briarton. For some reason, she found herself not wanting to reveal anything about herself and kept her replies as short as possible. While he seemed engaged in their conversation, she couldn’t help but notice that Finnigan’s smile was cold and never reached his eyes. He was perfectly polite, but she felt uneasy about the man. She couldn't really place why.
She glanced between the demons at the table. Asmodeuslookedlike a demon, but it was Finnigan who really made her skin crawl.
And Caspian, well, she still didn’t know what to make of him.
Asmodeus drained his goblet and smacked his lips. He stood and stretched, his wings flaring out behind him. Flared out to their full length, Elizabeth guessed they were each nearly six feet across. On seeing her gaze lingering on his figure, Asmodeus winked.
“Asmodeus,” Caspian warned.
“Yes, yes. I’m leaving.” Asmodeus wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Goodnight, lovely.”
Asmodeus left the hall, closely followed by Finnigan.
Then, it was just the two of them.
She chewed her lip, unsure if it would be rude to leave the table without being dismissed. Caspian stared off into space, paying her little mind.
She rose and smoothed her skirts awkwardly. “Er. I suppose I’ll say goodnight.”
Caspian lifted his eyes, and his gaze locked with hers.
He said nothing and stared at her with those eyes. Eyes like fire, glowing and flickering as if they held the very fire of the Seven Hells in his gaze. Eyes that seared into her soul and made every fiber of her being beg her to look away.
She forced herself to keep his gaze and tried not to blink, lest he think she was a coward.
Elizabeth cleared her throat and forced a smile to her lips, determined to be polite. “I really hope that we can become friends during my stay here, Caspian.”
She approached his seat at the table and held out her hand.
He looked at her hand as if it was something abhorrent.
He raised his brows, ignoring her offer. “You want to be my friend?”
“Yes, I’d like to be on amicable terms with everyone I live with, if I can.”
He scowled. “Some would not deem it wise to befriend everyone they meet, especially in a house full of demons.”
