CHAPTER 27
THE INSCRIBED RUNES within the carts kept the food piping hot. Steam wafted in the cool evening air as each dish was carefully set onto the table, filling the atmosphere with delicious aromas of herbs, spices, and meat.
The last few dishes were shuffled around the table, gently clinking against the tableware to make space for everything offered to the upper ranks.
Lenore squeezed between two seated werewolves, one of whom she knew—Astra Fia.
Rough as the old woman was, she was a steady presence.
There was not a single word exchanged between them as Lenore placed her apple pie down, but a sense of security washed over her.
Lenore’s eyes flickered up and stopped short when large olive-skinned hands came into view.
Defined veins ran along the slightly roughened surface, with subtle scars etched into the skin.
Lenore bit her lip, knowing that if she looked up, she’d be staring straight into Edmund’s eyes. The temptation stirred in her.
Instead, she turned away, making a beeline straight for the other Nyvens.
“I don’t know how I’m not stuffing my face right now.” Nox couldn’t stop staring at the food, salivating at the impressive spread beckoning them to devour its tantalizing flavors and smells.
“Basic decency, I hope,” Fia said.
“And the beauty that is this feast,” Nox added. “It’s so glorious I don’t know if I want to ruin it.”
“I can eat your share for you, wolf.” Azelf lazily twirled a silver knife in his hand. “Save you from running off the couple pounds after.”
“On second thought, bring on the food coma.”
Auden chuckled. “Well, we better not let this food turn cold. But just from looking, you all really outdid yourselves this year.”
“It’s customary for the Caernith and the upper ranks to taste the first bite before we sit down with them,” Winter whispered to Lenore.
Arisa inhaled deeply and let out a contented sigh. “What should we try first?”
“Hm…” Auden looked down at the nearest plate before him—the rabbit dish Lenore had prepared. “It’s always important to appreciate a personal gift first, right?”
Lenore wanted to cage her face with her fingers and deny that vehemently. But all she could bear was a nervous smile when Auden looked her way. The nerves in her stomach were almost enough to make her vomit.
“Please enjoy…” Her face went red at how quietly she responded, and how she instinctively stared at the ground instead. She hoped nobody else was looking. The giggle from Winter said otherwise.
“They don’t bite,” Winter said. “Don’t worry.”
“T-thanks…” Lenore felt Winter loop her arm around hers, giving it a warm squeeze.
“Auden won’t scorch you. Arisa will always have one or two positive things to say too.”
The mention of Arisa made Lenore uncomfortable. She glanced at Winter, who beamed back—but Winter’s eyes remained sharp. Watching.
Observing.
A faint flicker of cold ghosted Lenore’s arm, a sharp prickle to her scars. The breath stalled in her chest—but the sound of moving cutlery drew their attention sharply back to the table.
Fork prongs dug into a thin slice of rabbit meat before disappearing into Auden’s mouth. His eyes widened.
“It’s delicious,” he said. An exuberant twinkle showed in his eyes, breathing life into his whole being. A soft splash of color returned to his cheeks, and his smile became warmer. He took another bite, and then another in quick succession.
The others stared at him in surprise at his hasty eating, and he quickly cleared his throat.
“I got a little carried away there,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been eating food for the sake of getting better or if this is just that good.
Whatever the case, it’s fantastic.” He nodded at Lenore, genuine appreciation lighting up his features.
“Thank you, Lenore. You’ve given me a great gift. ”
“Really?” Lenore clutched her chest. “Y-you’re welcome!” The relief that flowed in made her realize how stiff her shoulders were while Winter patted her arm in a congratulatory manner.
From across Arisa, Edmund folded his arms. His brows dipped low, a sulky expression flashing across his face. Lenore nibbled on her lower lip. Does he... want to try it too?
“Is it really that good?” Curiosity had Arisa lean forward and take a bite for herself. As soon as the morsel entered Arisa’s mouth, she flinched. Veins bulged under the skin of her hand, the silver fork crumpling in her grasp as she yanked it back. Her free hand flew to cover her mouth.
“H-hot!” Arisa breathed sharply through her teeth. “Sorry, I’m a little sensitive to heat.” After another breath, she said, “But my mate is right! It is delicious. What did you... put in it?”
And just like that, the relief Lenore felt dissipated. She pulled her arm away from Winter as she held her hands behind her back, head slightly tilted forward. Humming quietly in feigned thought, the option to tell the truth or not suffocated her mind.
“Salt, pepper, a bit of cumin, garlic…” She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Arisa. “And something I brought with me from Arkhaven.”
Arisa arched her brow. Lenore could’ve sworn she saw a ring of orange flare through the pretty greens of Arisa’s eyes.
“A vial of light sprite magic—its grace. I bought it from a market a week before I got... um, turned. I’d usually put it in tea, but I thought this might help the Caernith more.” She shot a small, apologetic smile at Auden. “I’m sorry, I should’ve said something in advance.”
Auden shook his head. “Don’t be—”
“Giving something like that to the Caernith without letting anyone know is a bit much.” Arisa’s reproach was softened with a faint smile.
“Auden’s only here because Thalryn Beren’s medicine finally worked.
It really was a terrible case of Simurgh’s Blight.
” She reached over to squeeze Auden’s hand.
“But thank you for being so considerate. The meat was good.”
“... Right.” The light in Auden’s eyes snuffed out. “I’d prefer if you kept things like that out of the dishes next time, Lenore. The health complications—I hope you understand.”
Lenore’s insides twisted horribly. Slowly, she nodded. The apology burned at the back of her throat. She expelled a sigh under her breath, then tried again. “I—”
“And somehow dumping the entire stock of mithrial blood in your medical concoctions isn’t a bit much?” Edmund shot back, aiming a pointed look at Arisa and Auden.
Veins formed in Arisa’s forehead. She tried to laugh, but it came out as a strained, angry bark. “That’s completely different—”
“I disagree.”
Auden’s fist slammed down against the table, and a discordant chorus of clanging cutlery and plates rang out.
The explosive reaction made the other Nyvens fidget uncomfortably.
“Enough,” he hissed. His face contorted into a fierce glare, directed right at Edmund. “I already made myself clear, Vesren.”
Edmund stayed nonchalant. “You did. I have nothing more to say.”
Auden’s fork jabbed into another piece of rabbit meat, but it stayed there. “Since you placed Hesper and Ryker on cleaning duties, I’m sure you don’t mind me doing the same and giving you the task of staying behind to help clear off the table with the others.”
Edmund’s grip tightened on his arms. Indignant anger simmered in his expression, but he only replied, “Understood.”
Tense silence followed, and in a clipped voice, Auden announced, “Everyone, please.” He gestured at the table slowly. “Take your first bite. And as soon as you all do, then the Nyvens can join us too.”
Only the sound of eating disrupted the quiet of the night. A few awkward hums of praise came from the Duskryns until Auden nodded at the group of Nyvens. Lenore stepped into motion when the others moved forward, each of them taking a seat between those already seated.
The chair across from Lenore was empty. The one meant for Hesper.
She squirmed in her seat. Even though there was no one there, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that there were eyes on her somewhere else.
Lenore shot a quick glance at Edmund, but he had already turned his head to talk with someone else.
Swallowing down her worry, she looked down at the food.
The rabbit dish before Auden remained untouched for the rest of the night.
Bones clattered against dishes, and the once bountiful feast had become scarce pickings.
Other than a few of the werewolves picking at the last bits of food on their plates, the rest continued to talk, having slowed to casual chatter as the satisfaction of full bellies quelled any discontent.
A considerable amount of apple pie remained, most of which had been eaten by Nox and Lenore, but happiness warmed her chest when she saw Edmund had taken a slice for himself.
Only a few crumbs remained on his plate.
The last drops of moon nectar were being poured into Auden’s glass, the liquid tipped from the bottle that Charie held.
“Thank you, Charie,” Auden said. His smile lingered on her. “Tentative as always.”
“I’m only just pouring moon nectar for you,” Charie replied. She glanced up at him, a faint tinge of red on her cheeks. “But you’re welcome.”
Chair legs scuffed against the hard stone ground as Arisa scooted closer to Auden. She took the glass for herself, playfully winking at her mate. “So. We still have something to announce.”
Nox coughed, pie crumbs nearly spluttering out when he sat up. Edmund’s eyes widened slightly at the couple. A few other werewolves glanced at each other.
Arisa clapped her hands together once. “I have a gift for you all!”
The rising anticipation instantly shifted. Azelf chuckled dryly when the others relaxed.
Oh my goodness—they thought she was—Lenore didn’t finish her thought. Instead, she placed her fork down, ending the absent scraping on her plate.
Charie headed over to Arisa’s side as soon as the words were said. Her ebony braid hung over her shoulder as she bent over, disappearing from view briefly until she lifted a woven basket, filled with individual packets. Each packet was covered in one folded leaf, tied together with twine.
“Consider this a big, hearty thank-you for, well, everything. For taking me in when I had nothing, and praying for our Caernith’s recovery. And great blessings—my mate is finally on the right road to being healed!” Arisa leaned in to nuzzle Auden’s cheek, earning a smile from him.
The other werewolves cheered, some throwing their fists in the air. Auden’s smile turned grateful.
“It’s nice to finally sit here without coughing my insides out. Thank you everyone. I’m looking forward to things going back to normal soon.”
“You left us suffering under Eddy’s reign,” Azelf said. A lopsided smirk peeked from behind the glass he lifted to sip. “You owe us big time.” The others laughed while Edmund snorted lightly.
“Right. Iron sharpens iron, and I refined all you mongrels into something better.” The high spirits managed to pull a small smile out of Edmund. “Auden, I’ll send you to the Moon’s Sovereign myself if you’re lazing around like this again.”
Auden sighed wistfully. “It was a nice vacation while it lasted,” he said in mock-sadness.
Warm laughter left Arisa’s lips. “Perfectly timed with tonight!” She nodded at Charie who began to move with the basket in hand. “I hope your stomachs aren’t too full!”
While Charie gingerly placed a packet before every werewolf, Arisa explained, “This is a recipe from my childhood, enhanced with mithrial blood!” She shot a sharp look at Edmund. “I wasn’t just trying to hoard all the blood for nothing, you know?”
Edmund merely grunted, refusing to engage further.
Charie paused briefly before Lenore, then gave her the small, square-shaped parcel. It was cold in Lenore’s hands, a ghost of a chill tingling her skin that discomforted her. When she looked up at Charie, the young woman had already left to return to Arisa’s side.
“This is my gift to you all, a boon for your vitality! Go ahead everyone, I hope you all enjoy it!”
Lenore slowly loosened the twine and pulled back the sides of the leaf, unveiling a translucent jelly in the shape of a crescent moon.
The surface of the jelly twinkled, tempting her to taste it.
Lantern lights danced across its surface, bathing it in a hazy golden glow.
As Lenore looked up, she saw the curious expressions of the other werewolves.
Charie’s warning echoed in her mind as she stared down at the moon jelly, watching it subtly sway back and forth. She gingerly placed a finger on its surface, curious about what the texture was like—
Cold. So cold. The piercing chill stung the pad of her finger, and she jerked her finger up. Another kind of chill crawled up her spine, and she found it hard to breathe as the familiar sensation pulled forth memories. Her infliction. Her scar. The umbral thistle.
But she was alone in her experience. All around her came a chorus of polite or excited thank-yous.
Winter eagerly ate the jelly without a single pause and praised the taste.
Lenore helplessly watched the others eat the treat—lips pursing when she saw Fia take a small bite, and the ecstatic delight flashing in Arisa’s eyes.
Lenore’s eyes trailed over to Edmund, whose arms were crossed and face shadowed with irritation as he observed the others.
He looked at her, a twitch between his brows as he assessed whether she had eaten it or not.
Her jaw tightened. And as subtle as a movement she could muster, she shook her head.
Surprise stilled his movement—he clearly hadn’t expected that. When Lenore blinked, Edmund set his jaw again and turned his gaze to other things.
Silently, Lenore folded the leaf back into its original place, and squeezed the jelly underneath the smooth layer. This was no gift. It was a poison prettily disguised.