Page 53 of Invidia

“I mean, it was mostly just talk. Idealism. You’d have hated it,” I added with a laugh as she wrinkled her nose. I glanced around, making sure no one was listening in. “There was one weird comment from Lochan, though.”

I leaned across the table and Astrid did the same while I mumbled out an explanation, my eyes occasionally flicking to where Lochan and Sebastian were sitting.

“Damen went to check on her?” Astrid confirmed, her lips barely moving. I nodded. “Alright.”

She lightly slapped the table as she stood. “I’m going to find Soren. I’ll see you around.”

I was so distracted that it wasn’t until the meal had started that I realized how quiet our table was. No suitors. No crowd of Shades squeezing onto the benches next to us.

In fact, we were getting some kind of weird looks.

No, I was.

I blew out a long breath, recognition setting in. “Meera, you might not want to be sitting with me. The Shades think I’ve caught hornless cooties.”

Meera raised an eyebrow at me, breaking her piece of hard bread with both hands. “Hornless cooties?”

“It’s a long story.”

“No, it’s not. Evrin doesn’t have horns. It’s pretty self-explanatory.”

I choked a little on the piece of meat I’d been swallowing. I loved that she was opening up more, feeling a little more confident showing off what turned out to be a very sharp sense of humor.

“I’m quite enjoying being able to eat my bread and vegetables in peace,” she added with a shrug, returning to her meal.

Well, okay then.

“Is it bothering you?” she pressed.

I looked around, mulling it over. “I don’t care that no one is sitting with us. And I don’t care if they shun me, but I’m mad on Evrin’s behalf.”

The moment I was finished eating, I pushed my plate away, ready to get out of here, before I started to rage perfume.

“He doesn’t look mad,” Meera said, nodding toward the door where Evrin had just walked in. Instantly, my mood lightened. This must be what drugs felt like.

“Do I have anything in my teeth?” I asked Meera frantically.

She shook her head, suppressing a smile. “You’re good. You look beautiful. Go show that Shade some love in front of the whole court.”

It couldn’t have been a bad idea if Meera suggested it.

I headed down the side of the hall to meet Evrin halfway, keeping my shoulders back and walking with purpose. There was no shame, no shyness, here. That Shade was mine, and I didn’t care what anyone thought about that.

“Everyone is staring,” Evrin muttered, his shadows flicking around him in agitation.

“Good.” I reached up, grabbing his jaw so I could pull his face to mine, and planted a firm kiss on his lips. “Hi, I missed you.”

He blinked, seemingly in shock for a moment. “I missed you, too. I know it’s getting late, but I was hoping to take you out while it’s still light.”

“Out?” I repeated in surprise. “Out where? Never mind, I don’t care so long as you’re there. Let’s go.”

I slid my hand into his, looking up expectantly for Evrin to lead the way out of the silent room. His mouth twitched as he squeezed my fingers, guiding us toward the door.

“You know,” he began casually. “In this moment, with the most beautiful woman in the realm staring up at me, holding my hand, I feel like I have the biggest fucking horns in the realm.”

I may not be able to smell emotions, but I could sense that those words hadn’t come easy for Evrin. He was pushing himself to say them out loud for me.

“Good. I’m going to make you feel like that every day.” I rested my head against his bicep, not trusting myself not to say anything else without crying. Fortunately, the crisp, fresh air outside helped me get my emotions back under control.

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