A human came near them. “Food?”
“Not for you.” Caleb directed the young man toward a group of humans who were sharing honey cakes. Then he turned back to Lil. “You better eat and drink it quick. I’d hate to have to gut one of these fools for stealing your immortality.”
She bit her lip. “Is it okay that I do this? The gods won’t be angry?”
Xev sucked his breath in between his teeth. “It’s rather a gray area. You won’t be in trouble. But let’s just say if they find out what I’ve done… well, really, I won’t be in any more trouble than I’m normally in. And it’ll be significantly less trouble than if they discover I’m not really serving my mother’s army. So… eat up before Malphas guts an innocent human.”
Laughing, she dipped her fingers into the small clay pot so that she could scoop it out and eat it. “It’s delicious.”
“Wait until you drink this.” Caleb held the skin out to her.
She took a drink, then moaned over the taste. “You’re right. Even better.”
“Lilli!”
She waved at her father, then handed Caleb the skin. “I’ll be right back.”
He watched her make her way through the crowd to her father’s side.
Myone smiled. “She’s sweet. I like her.”
“So do I,” Xev said.
Caleb smirked at both of them. “As if I care what either of you thinks… but I do owe you. Thank you.” He handed the skin to Xev. “I never expected this kindness. Thank you.”
Xev sighed. “I know we’ve had our differences. But I’m glad to see you happy. I wish you a much better ending than the stolen moments we’ve been forced to share.”
Myone nodded. “And I’m glad to have you out of our future battles.”
“Given how badly you kicked my ass in the last one, I don’t see where that matters.”
“It matters.” She met Xev’s gaze. “I was only able to stab him because he hesitated to harm me.”
“Thank you, brother.”
Caleb didn’t respond. He hated for anyone to know he held any weakness. He liked to pretend he was as heartless as his parents.
Sadly, he wasn’t.
Xev clapped him on the back. “We’re going before we draw unwanted attention to our presence, or yours.”
Myone didn’t let him go so easily. She hugged him. “My best to you and your human.”
Then, they were gone.
Caleb felt so alone then. Even though he was in the middle of a huge crowd.
Such a strange feeling actually. It left a deep, hollow sensation in his stomach.
One that didn’t vanish until he saw Lil again. He waded his way through the happy celebrants to stand by her side.
“So, how long will all this last?” He gestured at the party.
“‘Til dawn.”
Her answer stunned him. “I didn’t think humans had that kind of stamina.”
“Lord of Misrule!”
