Page 40 of Ensnared

Ashe turns and pushes into the dining room,Luckyrolls his eyes at me.Hepicks up two plates, muttering, “Yes, oh lord and master.ShallIshine your shoes too, your highness?Perhapsyou’d like a neck rub?”

Mylips twitch, some of the heavy lead in my stomach lightening.Jasperis watchingLuckyclosely from behind his back, an almost-smile playing around his mouth.

Luckywinks at me and raises his voice as he makes his way to the dining room. “Goodman, shallIcut your venison into tiny bite-sized pieces?”Hehip-bumps the door open and he croons, “Ohno, mustn’t strain yourself, sire.Allowme to feed you!”

There’sa loud thud followed by a muffled curse.Beausqueezes my arm and collects two plates, andJaykobbrushes past me to grab the last two.

Jaspershifts his attention to me from behind the counter, andI’mstruck again by how beautiful he is.Theothers are dressed nicely enough, though casually, butJasperdoesn’t seem to wear anything but his elegant silk button-downs.Thisone is black, open at the collar, and the sleeves are rolled up to his elbows.Themuscles in his toned forearms flex as he leans forward on the counter.

“Youlook beautiful,Eden,” he murmurs, and a few strands of sable hair fall over his forehead.

Hisdark eyes devour me.Theylay me bare.Butthe simple, approving words are surprisingly calming, and my shoulders unknot just slightly.

“Thankyou,”Iwhisper back.

“Wouldyou like wine with dinner?”

Ihuff a laugh. “Yes.Iwould love some wine.”

Hedoesn’t smile, but his face softens. “Youhad better go inside.I’llbring it.Iwouldn’t put it pastDomto haveJaykobfetch you, andIdon’t imagine you’d enjoy that.”

Inod and head into the dining room, taking a seat at the monstrous table besideLuckyand across fromBeauandJaykob.Domsits to my other side at the head of the table.

Themeal sprawling between us looks incredible.

“Venisonbackstrap with blackberry sauce, roast potatoes, pumpkin, and asparagus,”Luckyannounces proudly.

Halfhis long hair is inVikingbraids today, not in its usual messy bun.Itmakes the angles of his face more pronounced.Heeven tidied his close-cut beard.

Ismile at him. “Youlook very nice tonight,Lucky.Thankyou for cooking.”

Heblinks at me, seeming taken aback by the compliment.Thena smile blooms across his face. “Ididn’t want to show you up, but my natural beauty is hard to hide.Shouldhave known you’d outdo me again.We’llhave to swap grooming rituals later.”

Beausnorts asIlaugh, my nerves making it a husky sound.IrealizeDomis staring at me, a frown marring his forehead, andIpush my glasses back up the bridge of my nose.Assoon asIrisk a peek at him, he refocuses on his plate.

Jaykobis the only one already eating, not bothering to wait.Hisdramatic tattoos are particularly dark on his thick arms.Thisclose,Ican see heavy skulls nestled among black leaves and flowers, with vines snaking through the empty eyes and mouth.Thedesigns are beautiful... but unsettling.

Jasperwalks in with two bottles of wine and pours us each a glass.Itry not to seem too eager asItake a sip.AtDom’scurt nod, everyone starts eating andIdig in, sighing over the incredible flavors.

InoticeBeauis favoring his left arm, and under the collar of his shirt,Ispot a bandage.

Pattingthe corners of my mouth with my napkin,Iask worriedly, “Didyou run into trouble on the trip?”

Aftera moment,Beaureplies in a guarded tone, “Trouble?”

Ilook between his shoulder andDom’sbruise, not failing to notice the heavy silence that has fallen across the table.

“Nothingserious,”Domcuts in, though he’s looking atBeau, not me. “Justthe usual scuffle over supplies.”

Scuffle.Didhe classify the shoot-out in the clearing as ascuffleas well?Itake another sip of wine.

Ican’t let myself forget that theirs is a bloody, rough system.There’slittle doubt in my mind that, sooner or later, they’ll have other run-ins, fights.Deaths.Theyhave too much to be desired.Toomuch to defend.Violencedoesn’t come naturally to me, but if it means my safety,I’mpragmatic enough thatIwon’t quibble about their methods.Itis whyI’mhere, in part.

Iwant to ask the details, to absorb myself in their problems, the way friends should.Thewayfamilydoes.It’sthe kind of beginning for usImight like, the kind whereIhelp ease their burdens.Itmight make this whole sordid deal feel less... transactional.

ExceptthatDom’stone doesn’t invite further questions, and the way the others avoid my eyes tells me well enough that they plan on keeping plenty between themselves.

Therealization, right in the middle of the friendly meal, is sudden and painfully sharp.Iam not one of them, and they have no intention of letting me try to be.Jaspermisled me, andBeaudid too.

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