Page 47 of Violet Moon
“It’s a Persian Love Cake.I decorated it just like how I remember my grandmother doing it.”
Sera held the container tighter.Parisa hardly ever spoke about her past.She sealed her lips, stared at the cake, and waited to see if Parisa had more to share.
“I don’t remember a lot.It’s been so long, but there are pieces that stick with me forever, images that come to me sometimes when I smell rosewater.This is one of them.”
“I get the same feeling whenever I get a scent of the sea,” Sera said, voice quivering.“Or whenever I’m around Jo.”
Sera searched Parisa’s face for signs of what was happening below her beautiful exterior.
“You do more for me than I think you know,” Parisa said.
“You saved me, Pari.”
“And you’ve saved me, too, a thousand times.”Parisa leaned over further to pat Sera’s knee.Her hand lingered as she said, “Now do you want to eat that before or after we spar tonight?”
She answered Parisa’s question with another, “How much cake is left?”
“Enough for at least two more slices.”
“Then both.I choose both,” Sera grinned.
Nothing was normal now.Nothing felt right.But if she could be who Parisa needed her to be, then that was enough for her.She didn’t dare hope for anything more.
“No coffee tonight?”Hugh asked with a knowing grin, swirling the wine in his glass.
Sera shook her head.“No coffee tonight.I needed something stronger.”
“There’s whiskey for that.”
“Not even whiskey does anything for my head.I guess I just need the taste, then.”
“What’s on your mind,mon lou lou?”
“So many things, of which I can tell you about very few.”
“Well, that’s no fun.”
Sera gave him the most pitiful look she could manage.She could feel it slipping from feigned concern for show into something real.Hugh’s face softened as it did.
“Anything I can help with?”
“No.”Sera sighed.“Wolf stuff.Big wolf stuff this time, I’m afraid.”
“It wouldn't have anything to do with that spicy little Alpha up at Crooked Creek, would it?”
Sera nearly spat out her wine.“How do you know about that?”
“Please, my dear.Gathering gossip like that is child’s play.Give me some credit.I’ve known for weeks.But what does that have to do with your pack?”
“Nothing I can talk about.”
“Now I’m both interested and worried.Are you sure you can’t tell me?”
Sera shook her head.“Pari has sworn me to secrecy for now.”
“And how are things going on that front?”
Sera raised an eyebrow.
