Even Calpurnia seemed to notice. “My, my. I have never seen the color black be so pleasing,” she praised.
This time, Calpurnia escorted me to the dining hall. I had started to familiarize myself with the route, but I was glad she was there just in case. We walked down the halls with our arms linked, the clink of our heels and shared giggles echoing through the endless corridors.
When we reached the golden double doors of the dining hall, she hugged me and went about her duties.
I opened the door to find four sets of eyes already on me.
At the head of the table sat Titus in his usual chair. His eyes widened slightly as he took me in, then he looked away. Other than that, he offered no acknowledgment of my arrival.
To his right sat Rexius, who looked bored. Next to Rexius was a female I had not met. She had long, wavy, flaming red hair, lime green eyes, and bold, bright red lips. Her green dress was extremely revealing, with a deep V that plunged to her waist, leaving most of her breasts on display.
She was beautiful, just like the rest of them, but she wore a scathing scowl. Her nose turned up at the sight of me, as if she were looking at a gigantic pile of horse shit.
Another human hating Fae. Perfect.
I avoided her gaze and looked across the table, where I was met with familiar sleek silver hair and kind eyes. Aurelius.
The only empty chair with a place setting sat between Aurelius and Titus. I was not thrilled about being seated so close to the High Lord, but at least I was not placed on the other side next to the red-haired wench.
Aurelius stood, gave me a slight bow, and pulled out my chair.
Titus observed him closely with one brow arched and flames flickering on his shoulders.
“You look like you are feeling better,” Aurelius stated cheerfully.
Scooping my skirt and pressing my knees together, I tried to sit down like a lady. “I am, thanks. You know, I never got the chance to thank you for saving my life the other day,”
“It was nothing,” he replied, brushing it off and returning to his seat.
I shook my head. “It was not nothing. You were amazing. Do all Fae have the ability to heal?” I asked.
Chuckles stirred around the table, but Titus remained silent. “No. Healing light is a rare gift, though, mine is not to the extent of Gleeda’s or the High Lord’s, of course," Aurelius explained.
Just then, the service doors opened and tiny flaming fairies, no bigger than Barbies, flew in carrying trays of food. My eyes widened. They were naked, but it did not seem inappropriate, as their bodies were entirely flame.
“Let me guess, you have never seen a fire sprite before,” Rexius snarked.
The red-haired female rolled her eyes, then blurted, “Does the human have to sit at the table? Titus, really. I thought you had more sense.”
Titus cut her off. “I would rather sit next to a human than next to you, dear sister.” He shot her a shrewd glance, and she returned it in kind.
Sister of the High Lord, explains the attitude.
The fire sprites flew around us, filling our plates with fruit, smoked meats and eggs, and a variety of pastries that looked to die for. The Fae bowed their heads with their fists over their hearts in prayer. I bowed mine as well and waited for them to finish before stuffing my face as politely as possible.
I was starving.
I was sitting next to him this time, not like the night before when I had been two chairs away. I wondered who had arranged the place settings. I was the last to arrive, so why had Aurelius not taken the seat beside the High Lord? Did Titus want me to sit next to him? And if so, why?
Titus turned his attention to me as if he could hear my thoughts.
Could he hear my thoughts?
I would not have been surprised if he could. His power seemed incomprehensible.
Attempting to make conversation, I cleared my throat and asked Aurelius, “So, you are immortal, can wield fire, ride dragons, and heal. Am I missing anything? Can you read my thoughts?”
More scathing chuckles stirred from across the table.
