Chapter 25 - The Table
Athena hadn't realized how hungry she was until the smell reached her.
Warm bread. Roasted meat. Something sweet she couldn't name.
Her stomach tightened painfully as Silas led her through a wide stone corridor that opened into a massive hall lit by long rows of torches.
A table stretched down the center of the room, carved from dark wood, large enough to seat dozens.
People were already there.
Men. Women. All dressed simply. All quiet.
And every single one of them looked up when Silas entered.
Athena felt it immediately.
The shift.
Conversations stopped.
Heads bowed slightly.
Respect.
Not fear.
Respect.
Silas didn't slow his pace.
He walked to the head of the table and pulled out the chair beside his.
For her.
Athena froze.
She looked at the chair.
Then at him.
"Sit," he said gently.
She did.
Without questioning why.
And no one in the room looked surprised.
Like this was exactly where she was supposed to be.
Her heart pounded.
Silas sat beside her, close enough that she could feel his presence without touching him.
Plates were placed in front of them quickly.
Food she didn't recognize, but it smelled incredible.
She hesitated.
Silas noticed.
"Eat," he said quietly.
She picked up the bread first.
The moment she tasted it, she realized how long it had been since she'd eaten something that didn't feel forced.
This tasted... real.
She didn't realize how quickly she was eating until she slowed herself down in embarrassment.
A soft voice across the table spoke.
"You don't need to be polite here."
Athena looked up.
A woman sat across from her, watching with warm eyes and a small, understanding smile.
She was beautiful in a quiet way. Dark auburn hair fell over one shoulder, and her amber eyes were calm and observant.
Athena felt something in her chest loosen just looking at her.
"I'm Elara," the woman said gently.
Athena swallowed. "Athena."
Elara's smile widened slightly.
"I know."
Something about the way she said it didn't feel invasive.
It felt welcoming.
Safe.
Athena noticed the way Elara moved her hair back as she reached for her cup.
And for a brief second, Athena's eyes caught on something at the base of her neck.
A faint crescent-shaped scar.
Small.
Faded.
But unmistakable.
It looked like...
A bite.
Athena blinked and looked away quickly, telling herself she was imagining things.
Elara didn't seem to notice.
Or if she did, she didn't say anything.
"You must be overwhelmed," Elara said kindly.
Athena let out a quiet breath. "I think that's an understatement."
A few people at the table smiled softly.
Not mocking.
Understanding.
Silas remained quiet beside her, but Athena noticed something strange.
No one spoke over him.
No one interrupted him.
No one looked at him casually.
They watched him the way people watched someone they trusted with their lives.
She glanced at him.
He was watching her.
Not the room.
Not the people.
Her.
And for the first time since she'd arrived here...
Athena didn't feel like she was somewhere she didn't belong.
She felt like she had been given a seat that had always been waiting for her.