Page 135 of Winterfall Destiny

He pauses, holding the small knife he’s using to chop tomatoes. “I don’t think so. Have you spoken to Tobias about anything since last night?”

“No, but I’m about to once I finally find him.”

“Good. Does Andrei know yet?”

I choke a laugh. “After his performance today? I’m leaving that conversation until absolutely necessary.”

“Andrei won’t be happy if you hide what you know.”

“And Tobias won’t be happy when Andrei burns his eyes out.” I say the words lightly, but my stomach lurches.

“Nah. Andrei wouldn’t do that.”

“He attacked Tobias once before, remember? Neither will tell me why, which means it’s something to do with me.” I sigh and pass Ash a fresh tomato. “I’ll decide what to do once I’ve a better handle on Andrei’s responses. Once he has a better handle.”

“Mmm.” Ash slices through the tomato. “I’m happy you’re talking things through with Tobias. If he gives you any shit, come find the dragon.”

Ash smiles, but I’m not entirely sure he’s joking.

“Thanks for cooking dinner.”

“I thought that’d force us all to sit down together in a calmer way. We need to.”

He looks in surprise as I kiss his cheek. “And that thought is exactly what I meant last night, Ash. You’re a rare breed.”

Tomato-covered fingers tip my chin, and he briefly kisses me. “Are you alright after this afternoon?”

“Fine.” I force a smile. Andrei’s another person on my list of people to talk to tonight. “We’re all safe, and I learned I can kick Super Andrei’s arse.”

With a shake of his head, Ash returns to his prepping, and I wander to the conservatory doors to head outside.

I gaze up to the sky where the moon now dips in and out of the clouds, hiding with the emerging stars as evening takes hold. No Tobias on the outdoor chairs, only remnants of Dorian’s blood runes. Rather than sit, I walk across the lawn that Andrei enjoys lying on, to the roses bordering the end of the lawns.

I run fingers across the fragrant petals, drifting back into anxiety about what we’ll face next, and worries about Andrei. The Dominion who survived will tell one hell of a story about him. Even if they can’t give her Andrei’s name, Gabriella will figure out who based on his description and of those with him.

Light crosses the pavers and then retreats again as the door to the house opens and closes. A familiar figure walks to sit on one of the metal chairs. Tobias won’t see me in the growing gloom, but he’ll sure as hell know I’m here.

Yes. Because Tobias abruptly stands and turns back. Where was he earlier? Hiding?

“Don’t you bloody dare, Tobias,” I call out.

What arrests him? That I’m here, or the aggressive warning in my tone? Because he halts, not turning to me. The moon sneaks from the clouds again, pointlessly because I can’t see Tobias’s expression, only the shadow of his lean figure.

“Maeve,” he says evenly.

I clench and unclench my fists, drawing in the calm to starve the shadows. After today, I’m confident that they’re here when I want to call on them, but now isn’t one of those times, especially if shadows have the ability to do what they want.

“You still won’t look at me?” I ask.

Slowly, Tobias turns, bright eyes wary. “I have looked at you, Maeve.”

“But barely spoken. Why?”

“You didn’t seem keen to speak. Our attention focused elsewhere,” Tobias says stiffly.

“Well, you have my attention now.” I tread across the lawn towards him.

“I don’t know what else to say and don’t want to upset you. I doubt you see me the same way.”

---