Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two
Dinner smelled like heaven. Avery’s roast sat in the center of the table, surrounded by perfectly roasted vegetables and potatoes. The mixed fruit Danish glistened on a platter nearby, the glaze catching the candlelight like tiny jewels. Her mates gathered around the table, relaxed, the stress of the day melting away under the warmth of home. Kael was already eyeing the Danish like it owed him money.
They started eating, and the conversation flowed easily. Avery took a sip of juice - she decided to wait on the wine for after dinner - then launched into her day with bright eyes, “Medical training was actually fun today. I mean, once you get past the gross stuff, and the hard stuff, and the terrifying stuff…” Kael snorted, “So.. all of it?” Avery flicks a carrot at him, “No! I’m getting good at it. I like helping people. I like understanding how things work. And I like that I’m not fainting anymore.” Riven beamed at her like she’d just won an award.
Lucien wiped his mouth with a napkin, eyes glowing with excitement, “I got to work with a new hybrid plant today. It reacts to sound. If you hum to it, the leaves open.” Kael leaned in, “Does it dance?” Lucien looks at him, “...No.” Kael’s eyes slightly widen, “Then what’s the point?” Molly elbows him. Lucien continues, undeterred, “I’m thinking of crossbreeding it with a healing herb. If it works, it could respond to a patient’s breathing patterns.”
Avery’s eyes soften, “That’s beautiful, Luce.” Lucien blushes. Riven sets his fork down, looking almost shy, “Medical training surprised me again today. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it this much. But… I do. A lot!” Avery squeezed his hand, “You’re amazing at it.” Riven’s ears turn pink.
Molly clears her throat dramatically, “Okay, I have news. Big news. Shacking news.” Everyone looks at her. She grins, “I’m taking a cooking class.” Silence. Then – Kael exclaims, “YOU!?” Molly blushes, “Yes, me!” Riven, “You hate cooking.” Molly, “I hated, not knowing how, to cook.” Lucien, “What made you start?” Molly shrugs, cheeks pink, “Avery makes it look fun. And… I wanted to do something for all of you. Something that wasn’t fighting or training. I am also enjoying the intelligence classes that I take with Lucien.” Averyh’s eyes shimmer, “Molly… that’s amazing.” Molly beams.
Kael leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, “Well, I didn’t grow magical plants, save lives, or become a secret chef. But I did survive another day of military tactics. So that’s something.” He grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Avery noticed. So did Lucien. And Riven. And Molly. But Kael quickly changed the subject.
Avery stands to grab the Danish platter, “okay, dessert time.” Kael perked up instantly, “Finally.” Avery sets the platter down. Kael reaches for a Danish, it slides, He reaches again.. It slides further. He lunges, the Danish launches off the platter like it had been waiting for this moment. Kael dives after it, “NO–!”
The Danish hits his chest, bounces, and lands in his lap. Silence. Then Molly snorts. Lucien chokes on his juice. Riven wheezes. Avery doubles over laughing. Kael looks down at the Danish in his lap, then up at them, “...I meant to do that.” Avery wipes tears from her eyes, “Of course you did.” Kael takes a triumphant bite, “Still counts.”
Dinner wound down. Plates emptied. Candles burned low. But Kael grew quieter. His jokes softened. His smile dimmed. His eyes drifted. Avery watched him. She knew that look. When the others began clearing the tab;e, Avery touched Kael’s arm, “Come with me?” Kael blinked, “Uh… sure.”
She led him down the hall, away from the noise, into the quiet of their shared room. Kael sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumped. Avery sits beside him, “Kael… what’s going on?” He swallows hard, “Everyone has something. Something they’re good at. Something they love. Something they’re meant for.” He stares at his hands and continues, “And I don’t. I don’t have anything except… you guys. And I’m scared that’s not enough.”
Avery’s heart cracked. She reached for his hand, “Kael… look at me.” He did, eyes vulnerable, raw, open. Avery, “You are not behind. You are not failing. And you are not alone. We’ll figure this out together.” Kael’s breath shook. Avery leaned her forehead against his, “You’re not lost. You’re just… still unfolding.” Kael closed his eyes. And for the first time that night, he let himself be held.