Chapter 8 #2
I swallowed hard as he turned back, and the torchlight caught his sharp jawline. Had it always been so precise? Declan’s features looked slightly boyish. It fit his ever-ready smile. That didn’t mean he was young. I couldn’t remember asking exactly how old he was.
“Ma'tamta hi solonia da'vat lirn, w'baseema hwat.”
Those words were back. His perfect lips molded around them, and the motion hypnotized my brain.
Which ones were the humble “grilled cheese?” They were all too beautiful for some bread and curdled cow juice.
More like a cold drink in a hot kitchen.
My heart beat too fast and when the words stopped, I somehow sat in a chair at the head table.
I tried to get up to help serve but food appeared before us before I could move.
It wasn’t just any food. It was heavenly fare. I was already eating with my nose, sucking up the aroma of freshly baked bread, dark red wine, and roasted elk. This, I knew how to do. Eating was just as much fun as cooking.
Declan’s mother sat on my left, Declan on my right.
I had barely oriented myself before a toast emerged in that musical language.
I couldn’t get a hold of what was happening when I wasn’t directing the flow of the meal.
What was I going to do in the middle of a pack of unruly wolves?
My strategic brain went up in smoke as I pictured the sleepless nights of waiting for some convenient time to bring up what I really came here for.
Half an hour was surely enough time for everyone to get through their greetings and settle in sufficiently for me to make my request. I resisted the urge to tap my foot as small-talk eddied around us.
Determined to wrest back some control, I needed to talk about training my powers with Declan’s mother before the wolves got too drunk to remember each other’s names.
I leaned over to Declan and he immediately rested on me. His comfortable weight made this doable. What am I supposed to call your mother?
Anything short of kitchen hag is fine. Declan thought for a second. Though knowing her, she’d probably love that too if it came from my mate.
Be serious. Not that that was Declan’s specialty, but he clocked the panic in my eyes and in the crush of my hand on his.
Declan shrugged, trying to slide his hand from mine. Momma is probably fine.
I wouldn’t let him go. I can’t call her that. My face must have tightened at the thought of not having a set of rules to follow.
Deep breath. Calling her Anise won’t endear her to you. No one here is that formal. She’s just going to be excited to meet you.
Right. I let him go and he shook out his hand.
I was supposed to small-talk her or act mate-y or something.
But the only thing crowding my brain was how I was going to learn and control my powers to get back to Evie in time to meet my Goddschild.
I wasn’t going to let something stupid, like not working hard enough on my magic, get in the way of that.
I turned to her, readying my brilliant argument.
“Anise. I need your help.”
The woman flinched so hard that I lost my voice for a second. Okay, so that wasn’t the smoothest. Declan laughed in my mind and a confidence not my own trickled into my bones.
“Sorry, that was rude,” I said.
The woman’s smile lit up the entire square. I could see where Declan got his sorcery-level grin. “You don’t have to be sorry, Tali. Directness is refreshing and I will do anything to help my son’s mate. Are you worried about sleeping arrangements? Declan’s bed is big enough for both of you.”
What?
Well, it is, Declan said. I forgot I basically shouted it at him in his mind.
The fact that I wanted to startled me. He looked different after our journey here. That was scary enough for me to say, “No, it’s not that. I’m… a terrible sleeper. A room next door should spare him.”
Our lie flexed around us at the disapproval on her face, but I was determined to see this through. A couple chats, some kitchen hours, and I would be back to Evie in no time! But Declan was also right. I had social skills. I just needed to use them.
My finger pointed to all the food, a huge grin on my face. “Did you make all of this?”
“Most, and directed the rest. We would not greet you with anything less.”
Indeed, the party hummed along the square, in full swing as wolves ate their fill. My pause seemed to bring out some of her own nerves.
“My son could do almost as well. He might not have the gift, but none of my children would embarrass me by not feeding their mate properly.”
Yet another thing I didn’t know. Declan cooked? I side-eyed him and caught him staring at me with a dreamy expression.
She means I can boil an egg, not burn a roast, and bake you a simple loaf. I know when I’m outclassed, Honey.
My attention turned back to Anise, wrestling my nerves. “I would be grateful if you would teach me to cook… better.”
Anise laughed in a full-body shake that had my hopes collapsing into my shoes. She elbowed Briggs on her other side. When I didn’t join in, her face sobered.
“Oh, you’re serious? You will never have to worry again. He will cook for you.” She gestured to Declan. “You can just get married. Enjoy life. If you need a job, learn how to make cake.”
Irritation worked under my skin. I never wanted to bake again after spending countless years doing it for my thankless human village. Checked off by my own gender. Outrageous.
“I’m good enough. I have feastweaving magic and I need your help to control it.”
Anise hovered over the table, temper flashing. “This is not your place. You can use your magic to keep your den.”
I clenched my teeth. I had no bias against women who wanted to stay at home and raise a family. That just wasn’t me.
“That’s not what she means, Momma.” Declan’s defense warmed my back as he surrounded me with his support.
“You’ll be too busy with pups and the rest of this.” She gestured vaguely to the assembled wolves, and Declan stiffened, pulling away a bit.
My mind skipped over the children I never wanted to have. “Just like you’re too busy?”
Her smile faltered, and my hope with it. The challenge hardened her features and for the first time, I understood how she kept a personal pack of unruly wolves in order.
“I said, no, Tali. I won’t take you from your purpose.”
That role was apparently no purpose while Declan waited on me hand and foot. I wanted to run. Declan’s grip on my thigh kept me in my chair because I could barely stand what came next.
Anise stood, raising her glass. “To the return of my wayward son, and the mate that will keep him happy all his days. May smiles grace their faces and rest come to their hearts.” Fuck. If that was my purpose, we were in big trouble.