Page 19 of Tears of Revenge

“Cookie?”

Lysander tore his gaze away from the screen, finding Avalon extending a hand to him.

“They aren’t home made but they are really good. Well, unless there’s some reason you shouldn’t…” she trailed off.

“No.”

The one word was enough, and Avalon leapt to her feet and crossed the room. “They’re my favourite,” she said cheerfully, like a child presenting a new toy.

“Why is that?” he asked, taking the cookie and eyeing it suspiciously.

With a shrug, she returned to her spot on the floor and pulled out her own cookie. “Most cookies are too hard or don’t have enough chocolate chips in them. These are nice and soft and have more chocolate than dough.”

Reluctantly, Lysander took a bite and had to agree with her. Though he didn’t enjoy how quickly the world around him evolved, he did enjoy modern food much more than the past. Yes, technology was amazing and living standards had vastly improved, but there were also more restrictions. Modern advancements made it much more difficult for the three of them to hide their true identities.

Avalon had just shifted her position for a better view when Marcus and Varos stepped through the door.

“I’m so sorry!” Marcus told her. “I hope you forgive us.”

Avalon looked up at him as they approached, giving both men a soft smile. “There’s nothing to apologise for.”

Marcus settled on the floor with her, peering into her lap. “You are too kind. I see you brought your own food today.”

“Yes. I cooked a little too much last night.”

“Have you been waiting long?” Varos asked, setting a stack of papers on his desk.

“No need to worry. We’ll still see each other tonight, right?”

Varos sat with a goofy grin on his face. “Of course, we will.”

Avalon worried her bottom lip and turned her gaze to her lap, seeming to have more to say.

“Is there something wrong?” Marcus asked, ducking to attempt to meet her eyes again.

“Well…” she shyly started. “What are you going to wear? I thought of wearing a dress, one like last time but I don’t know if that’s too… casual?”

“Please feel free to wear whatever you like,” Varos assured her, like the gentleman he was.

Meanwhile Marcus was well… Marcus. “Wear the dress.”

Avalon nodded, seeming to relax.

Varos then changed the topic. “Has Lysander been good company?”

“Yes. We’re no longer strangers.”

Lysander looked at her, furrowing his brow.

Marcus’s eyes widened, sparkling with amusement. “You aren’t?”

“No. I gave him a cookie and everyone knows you don’t take food from strangers.”

Varos’s lips twitched. “How gracious of you, to share your food with him. You should see that as a compliment, Lysander. She doesn’t seem like a woman who likes to share such joys often.”

“Yes, very lucky,” he deadpanned, trying to keep some distance between them.

He hadn’t meant to give her the impression they were now friends. He hadn’t been aware that accepting food was a custom only close humans shared.

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