Chapter 1 #2
I stifle another smile. “It’s true. And I really love reading there, with the view out the window and my coffee. It’s a warm and dry place with great atmosphere. I brought a pillow with me to sit on to make the chair comfier. It makes for a nice afternoon.”
“Maybe we could join you sometime.”
My eyes widen. “Um…well…” How the hell do I backpedal my way out of this? “Anything else?” I ask, a little too loud.
He looks at me for one long second, and something crosses his face, and then it’s gone and the grin is back. “No. Thank you, Wren. That’s enough.”
“Okay. Great. I’ll…okay.” And then I’m out of there so fast I bump into another chair on my way out.
Very professional, Wren.
The stew comes up and I carry it over with the dark bread.
This is always difficult for me because once I serve them, I hate leaving their table.
I want to pull out the third chair, sit down, put my feet up on the hearth and hear about their day, learning their likes and dislikes.
Sitting with them and chatting sounds fabulous because on top of the fact that I think they are both hot as hell, I really do enjoy their company and would love to get to know them better.
I truly believe the three of us could become friends.
Two Krovenians and a human can have enough in common to form tight bonds, it turns out.
But obviously, I can’t, because I’m working and they’re customers. If I were to hang out with them on my day off someone would see us and report it to Margit and I’d be instantly fired. So, there goes that.
This is such a difficult rule to follow, considering every time I get near them my heart races. And every time Sebastian’s fingers brush mine, or Maxim says my name, there’s a slow, sinking heat between my thighs that I have no business feeling at work.
It means nothing. Right?
It’s a crush. Three weeks of two single, extremely good-looking Krovenians who work on border patrol, being nice to me every night is messing with my head. They’re regulars. They ask questions because they’re polite and remember the answers because Krovenians remember things. It’s not personal.
It’s not.
And this would never work out anyways, considering I am attracted to them both, equally.
How could I ever choose one of these friends over the other?
Following through with this and trying to date both at the same time would cause me to lose my coveted job and most likely cause a fight between good friends.
It’s all a mess I must studiously avoid.
Sebastian moves his pint to make room as I set down the bowls of stew.
I should walk away now. Two other tables need me.
“Where’s the good coffee in Chicago?” Sebastian questions, continuing our prior conversation. “Since you’re an expert.”
“Oh, Chicago...It’s true that I did do some detective work while I was there, finding the best local coffee.
Well, it depends on the neighborhood, but there was this small place under the train.
You couldn’t hear yourself think when the Brown Line went over but it really did have the best espresso in the city.
The owner was ninety,” I lower my voice and admit.
“And she was very harsh and yelled at everyone.”
Sebastian rears back. “And you kept returning to that establishment?”
“Yep, all the time.”
The grin. “You are very loyal to your coffee.”
I laugh. “It’s true.”
Maxim, across the table, has taken exactly one bite of the stew. He’s looking at me, and there’s a line between his brows that wasn’t there a second ago. “Nashville,” he says.
It’s the first thing he’s said to me tonight that wasn’t my name.
“Yes?”
“Before Chicago, you lived there for three years. Why did you leave?”
I open my mouth to give him the answer I give everyone, the one about the hotel bars and my career. What comes out instead is the truth, which I have never said out loud to a customer in my life. “It was easy to leave because there was nobody there for me to stay for.”
Sebastian sets his spoon down. Maxim doesn’t move at all.
A grimace spreads across my features. “Sorry, that was a weird thing for me to say. I’m just tired from a long shift. Ignore me.”
“No,” Maxim says. “Continue.”
Sebastian’s voice is gentler than I’ve ever heard. “Was there someone to stay for in Chicago?”
“No, there wasn’t anyone in Chicago either. There’s never…” I stop. “Sorry, this is too much. You two need to eat your dinner before the weather gets worse and the roads become impassable. And I need to make it to the other tables. I’ll check back.”
I turn and leave, trying to focus on my work and not on those two particular Krovenians with the deep voices and perfect asses. I’m at another table with a fresh glass and one ice cube when I look back.
Both of them are staring at me.
And I put a glass of wine down in front of the wrong customer.
I don’t go back to their corner table for a while after that. I tell myself it’s because they’re fine, they have their stew, they don’t need me hovering. But finally, I can tell that they’re both finished and I need to return.
This back room is full of interesting Krovenians I’m getting to know. Why am I focused on those two?
“Did you enjoy the stew?” I question, with a hand on my hip. “Would you like another drink?”
“Yes, to both,” Maxim responds.
Sebastian leans forward. “You said your window looks at the mountains.”
I blink. “Wait, what are we talking about now? My window?”
“That first week when we all met you said some nights you can see the lights on our side from your window.”
My brow furrows. “Okay, I remember. But I didn’t tell that story to you, I said it to Zora.”
“Yes, but we were here when you told her and we couldn’t help but overhear your discussion.”
I point. “You were at this table and Zora is across the room.”
He shrugs, unbothered. “Krovenians have better hearing that humans.”
I exhale, thinking about the enormity of their excellent hearing and my obvious lack of privacy.
“You should come and see them,” Maxim remarks.
It takes me a second to follow along with this new, out-of-context, comment. “See what?”
“The lights. From closer.”
“No…I can’t go to Krovenia,” I remind them. “Humans aren’t allowed in your country.”
“Not from Krovenia.” Maxim glances at Sebastian. “We are on this side, you could meet with us a mile from the gate and you would see them from the road.”
“This is the place for the best view,” Sebastian agrees.
Oh jeez, this is too much. I take a deep breath.
“No, of course that sounds lovely, but you both know the rules as well as I do. I’m not allowed to fraternize with the customers, particularly the Krovenians.
I could lose my job and I love working here.
I really enjoy having you two as regulars at the pub and I look forward to seeing you both during my shifts.
But…well, you understand the boundaries.
” I smile at both of them, hating that I’m pushing them away when all I want is to ask them to meet me when my shift is over.
“I’ve got to go back and check on the other tables.
It’s busy tonight.” I bite at my lip and pick up the bowls. “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian responds. “And Wren…we aren’t trying to make your life more difficult. We know the rules.”
I give him a curt nod and start to walk away.
“Wren.”
I stop and look back at Maxim.
“Thank you for the stew.”
An hour later I notice the room has suddenly gone quiet.
Puzzled, I look up and see a young, distinguished Krovenian female has entered the pub.
Our two species look very much alike, with the main difference being their fangs, strength and amazing hearing.
But since I’ve been working amongst them I can see the tell-tale characteristics of their species—the long limbs, the fuller lips and the unusually pale skin alongside the dark hair and eyes.
I’ve never met her before, and she stands underneath the arch.
This new patron is fabulously beautiful, with long, silky black hair and dressed like she’s about to go to some sort of royal occasion.
She wears what looks like a real fur coat, over an elegant dark dress and high-heeled black boots.
Diamonds and gems sparkle at her ears and neck.
Cold rolls down the passage ahead of her, and snow melts on the shoulders of the fur.
Two menacing Krovenians in dark coats stand behind her.
I look around, noticing that everyone in the back room is quietly staring at these new arrivals. Who are they?
The woman strides straight toward the corner where Sebastian and Maxim are seated. Oh wow, do they know her? Krovenians whisper amongst themselves as she passes with her chin held high.
I stand with a tray in my hands because I’d been on my way over with a fresh whiskey. Now I’m frozen between the hearth and the arch.
Sebastian leans back. The grin remains on his lips, but the warmth goes out of it like someone turned off a light.
Maxim stands. And both guards in the passage take one step backward.
The mysterious woman stops at the corner table. She ignores Maxim and looks down at Sebastian. “Your Highness,” she greets with a silky-smooth voice. “The Council sends its regards. I am here to remind you that your year is nearly up.”
My mouth drops open.
Your Highness?