Page 100 of Enspelled

“Grab a seat,” Keane says without turning around. “It’s nearly ready.”

I dart a glance at Bodie, who’s already sitting at the dining table. He catches my eye and shrugs as if to say he had nothing to do with Keane deciding to cook for us.

Since I can’t stay standing at the bottom of the staircase forever, and Briar needs to eat something to help her recover faster, I lead the way through the open-plan living area and to the dining table.

Briar trails me at a slow enough pace that I know she’s looking forward to this meal as much as I am. But we have to talk. All of us. It’s nearly nine at night, but so much has happened and so much is probably going to happen, that we need a plan. The sooner the better.

Moments after we’ve sunk into two empty seats, Keane is sliding a plate of bacon, eggs, and hash browns in front of Briar. “Eat,” he orders.

Briar makes no move to pick up her knife or fork. She just sits with her gaze fixed on the plate.

Keane leans into her face. “Half a stale muffin, jerky, a piece of steak, and half a plate of eggs and bacon. None of those are full meals. So you will clear this plate. Now.”

I blink at him in surprise.

Why would he even care about what Briar eats?

Briar doesn’t respond, and she doesn’t look up.

“Briar. Eat,” Keane snarls.

I part my lips, ready to snap at him to leave her alone, when a kick in the shin makes me yelp instead. Since there can only be one person on this table who would kick me, I glare at Bodie.

Subtly, he shakes his head.

Brow creased in confusion, I return my focus to Briar, who has now lifted her gaze from her plate to stare up at Keane.

Neither of them speaks. Not for a long time.

“No.” Briar’s voice is wan, and the lack of strength in it is more than a little concerning.

Keane leans even closer to her face. “Then I’ll feed you.”

He’ll dowhat?

My mouth opens. Another kick in the shin has me yelping as I glare at Bodie.

Neither Keane nor Briar so much as glances my way.

“Eat,” he tells her, his voice implacable. “You’re pale, and you’re shaking. Eat.”

There’s an order in his voice, but the way he’s looking at her… he cares. About her.

I hold my breath without knowing why. But a long moment later, nearly a minute, Briar breaks their stare to lower her head and pick up her fork.

Keane doesn’t move until she’s eaten three mouthfuls of eggs. Only then does he turn back around and head for the kitchen. He goes straight to the refrigerator, fills a glass with milk, and places it beside Briar’s plate. “And drink your milk. All of it.”

If I wasn’t so sure this was really happening, I’d think I was in a dream, because never in my wildest imaginations did I ever believe I’d see Keane Destin acting this way with anyone— least of all a witch.

I’m still puzzling out when this change occurred and what caused it when Keane thumps two plates identical to Briar’s in front of me and Bodie. Once he’s done it, he retreats to the kitchen, switches the burner off, and then leans against the counter, arms folded with his focus on Briar, who slowly but methodically clears her plate.

“You’re not eating?” Bodie asks between bites of his rapidly emptying plate.

Keane shakes his head, but his gaze never leaves Briar. “I’m not hungry.”

What in the Goddess happened between them?

I hadn’t realized I was even hungry with the craziness of the last twenty-four hours, but sooner than I was expecting, my plate is empty and my stomach full.

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