“I’m used to…” He rolls his hand as if it’ll help him think. “Performing everything. I’m still trying to break the habit of arousing someone with how I eat.” He chuckles, but it’s more self deprecating than joyful. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything.”
“I wasn’t.” My next bite goes down wrong, and I start a coughing fit. Oh joy.
Wren rushes from the room and returns with a bottle of cold water. He opens it and hands it to me while patting me on the back.
“Thanks,” I rasp out as soon as I catch my breath.
We both go back to our food. Wren seems to pick at his more than eat it though.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, which surprises me.
“Nothing,” he mumbles.
“Liar,” I say, and hope it comes out jokingly. I don’t want him to think I’m actually calling him a liar.
He shoots me a flirty look and grins. “I can’t lie, I’m Fae.”
“Nothing is a nothing answer, and it allows you to lie. You can take my question, what’s wrong, and mentally apply it to something that has nothing wrong and you’re not lying.”
“You think like a Fae.”
“I am from the Fae lands. I know how the lot of you think sometimes.”
He tears his food apart, making his hands sticky and buttery. “I can’t stop thinking about the dreams last night. They didn’t feel like dreams.”
“Some Fae have the ability to manipulate dreams.”
“I know and I didn’t think Lord Yelling had that ability. Talk about omitting the truth.” His face falls. “As far as I know, there’s no way to stop it.”
“Maybe Lark can go petition this Lord Yelling to stop?”
“Oh, no. I’m not asking Lark to get into this. This is my problem to solve. And it might not even be Lord Yelling himself. He could have hired someone. ”
“I understand not wanting to get Lark involved, but you can’t go back to the Winter Court on your own. You need someone to advocate for you.”
“Nope.” Wren stands with his plate. “Break’s over.” He goes to throw away his destroyed croissant, but I stop him.
“I’ll eat that if you’re not going to.” I hold out my hand for the plate and he passes it over before leaving the room. My shoulders slump. Damn it, even when I’m trying to be nice, I fuck things up.
Just as I’m licking the butter and honey off Wren’s plate, he returns.
“Wick says I can’t come back for at least another ten minutes.” Wren drops back into his chair across from me and crosses his arms. He leans back and glares at the ceiling.
“The couch would be more comfortable.” I wave to the giant purple monstrosity on the opposite wall.
Wren opens one eye and looks at it. “It does look nice.” He strolls over and bounces softly on the middle cushion. He pulls his knees in and lays. “Just a few minutes.”
“I’ll wake you up in ten.”
He nods as he settles into the position he wants. “Thanks.”
We exist like this for a few minutes with me watching him and the clock. He’s peaceful with even breathing despite me watching him. His lashes are so thick. His skin is so pale, he usually has a slight tan. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without perfectly manicured nails until now. I’m a little surprised that Sparkle hasn’t painted his nails for him.
I get so caught up in watching him I forget to watch the clock. My eyes flick up and it’s been fifteen minutes instead of ten. Shit.
“Wren?” I say.
“Mmm? Five more minutes.”
