Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty
“Why am I not surprised?” I murmured absent-mindedly.
“My dear, Alpha Asher is an interesting man. You just have to get to know him a little bit more.” Miridath laughed and I turned to her with the most amusing of smirks.
“For that to happen, I’d have to stay here longer, no?” One of my dark eyebrows quirked up in question. I had no real intention of staying here any longer than I already have.
“Of course.” she nodded, but I don’t think she understood. Something told me they probably didn’t get lots of visitors, because other than her, Aquila, and…Asher. I didn’t come across a single soul. “Come. The kitchens and dining room are in the opposite direction.”
“Lead the way.” I gave her a kind smile.
She shifted the linens to her other arm and gestured for me to follow her. “Alpha Asher insisted that they wait for you before they began eating.”
“He…did?”
“Yes.” She glanced at me, sidelong, her expression warming. “That dress looks lovely on you, by the way. The violet suits your coloring.”
My cheeks warmed as I thanked her.
I knew the dress looked beautiful on me, but hearing someone else say it made my chest flutter in delight. A strange thought wandered into my mind. Not of Aquila. Nor of Asher, but another man…well, dragon.
Councilman Vincent Caldwell.
My hands crept up the front of my dress as I thought about the man I’ve come to…adore. He wasn’t like most beast-folk. He was distinguished, kind, and cared for humans in a way that moved me. He even put me as his subordinate, mentoring me in everything I know. Was he looking for me now? If he saw me in this dress would he think I looked beautiful in it?
“It’s…it’s a beautiful dress. They all are. I don’t know how to thank you for--”
“No need to thank me, dear. Alpha Asher picked them out personally.”
Him again?
I opened my mouth to say something, but I bit my tongue. They’ve all been so kind already, I didn’t want to take out my frustration on her without saying something that would make me look ungrateful.
We walked in silence for a bit, turning down corridors I was pretty sure I’d already passed twice. The place really was a maze. How did anyone navigate this without getting lost?
“How long have you worked here?” I asked, more to fill the silence than anything.
“I’ve been with the house since before Asher became Alpha. There used to be more people helping around the house, but…”
“But what?”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing.” Miridath stopped in front of a set of double doors, ornately carved with what looked like trees and wolves running between them. “Here we are.”
She pushed it open and gestured for me to go ahead.
I hesitated at the threshold, suddenly nervous.
This would be the second…no, third time I’d be facing Asher and he had those unreadable eyes and I still didn’t know what to say to the man or how to act or--
“Go on, dear,” Miridath urged me gently, as if sensing my hesitation. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”
“Hah. Of course, forgive my manners. You’ve been too kind to me, Miridath.”
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders.
And stepped through the doorway.
“Crystal!’
The sudden voice made me flinch slightly.
I blinked out of my thoughts just in time to find Aquila striding towards me with that same easy grin plastered across his handsome face.
“I’m so glad Miridath found you.”
I stared at him with an unimpressed look on my face. “Weren’t you supposed to come get me?” I asked flatly and his smile faltered.
Then Miridath shot him a sharp look--one that could have cut through steel-- and he looked genuinely scared of the older woman, but he played it cool, clearing his throat.
“Yes, well,” he muttered, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. “All that matters is that you’re here now. Thank you, Miri--”
“Grr…” Miridath growled softly.
“Mrs. Haimon, for getting Crystal. I apologise for the inconvenience.”
The corner of my lips twitched. It was like watching a mother scold a child without as much as lifting a finger.
“Remember what I said, dear.” And with that, she left.
“Alright, come this way, Crystal.” Aquila clapped his hands together lightly, as if to move things along when Miridath shut the doors. “We’ve been waiting.”
We?
Aquila guided me further into the room. The table alone could seat at least ten more people comfortably, carved from dark wood that gleamed under the soft glow of overhead lights. The chairs were just as intricate, each one looking like it belonged in some noble estate.
My steps slowed slightly as my eyes adjusted to the details. Noting how many doors were in here. Windows and…Asher.
My eyes landed on the man of the hour--seated at the head of the table-- one arm rested lazily against the armrest, his head tilted to the side to rest on it, while the other was draped across the table, his posture relaxed in a way that felt controlled.
I could feel his gaze on me as I stared back at him without breaking eye contact. Even when Aquila pulled out a chair, I didn’t stop staring.
“You’re seat.”
Slowly, I lowered myself into the chair, smoothing the fabric of my dress as I sat. I finally tore my gaze away from the man and focused on Aquila instead.
Aquila didn’t seem to mind my attention shifting to him. If anything, the corner of his lips curved.
“Comfortable?” he asked lightly, though there was something in his eyes that suggested he was amused.
“As I can be,” I replied, folding my hands neatly in my lap. My plates had already been set. A glass of water was to my left, seconds later Miridath returned pushing a cart with a lot of food laid out on it.