Through space.
Through nothing at all.
The darkness eased like morning approaching, replaced by light from a sparkling chandelier and a hallway filled with patchwork tile. We were back in the townhouse. He set me on my feet, allowing me a moment to get my bearings before leading me to the parlor.
My feet stilled at the entrance.
Deep magenta and purple fuchsia spilled from the windows, bloomed from the curtains, filled vases on the mantle, overflowed from jars and jugs and all manner of fancy containers lining the baseboards.
A small table waited in the center of the room, beneath a chandelier of crystals and flowers.
Never in my life had I seen anything as beautiful. I turned in a circle, wishing there were some way to take it all in at once.
“There she is,” Rían whispered.
I blinked at him. “Who?”
“Happy Aveen.”
A ferocious blush crept up my neck. How could I not be happy? The room was positively magical. But why? Why would he waste his magic on this? On me?
“Well, if you aimed to impress, you have succeeded.”
More than succeeded. Awful Rían had done something I never thought possible.
He’d touched my heart.
“This?” He flicked one of the drooping blooms in a vase. “Oh, you think I did this to impress you?” He started shaking his head even as his smile grew. “I hate to disappoint, but this is what I do every other Friday. You should not feel special. Because you aren’t.”
Damn it all, his grin was infectious.
“Don’t lie to me. Not tonight.” Even if it hurt, I needed the truth from him.
“All right. I don’t do this every other Friday. It’s usually on Tuesdays.” He winked, and I may have melted. But only a little.
With a flick of his wrist, golden plates appeared on the table, along with golden goblets and a golden tiered stand laden with mini cherry tarts. I removed my cloak, draping it over the back of my chair.
Who owned gold plates? They must be worth a fortune. “A bit garish, don’t you think?” I teased, tapping a gilded edge.Even for someone who never had a hair out of place.
“As tonight is a celebration, I thought a lowly human such as yourself should dine on gold.” He pulled out my chair, and I settled onto the cushion.Instead of sitting on the other side of the table, he dragged his chair right next to mine.
He placed a tart on my plate with a flourish.
The first bite: utter bliss. Flaky crust. Halved cherries covered in goo that burst when I bit into them.Soooo good.
“These have to be the best things I have ever tasted.” When I opened my eyes, I found him sitting back in his chair, clutching his goblet of wine to his chest. His own plate remained empty. “Aren’t you having one?”
“I’d rather watch you enjoy yourself.”
If he didn’t want any, then I may as well eat two. Wouldn’t want them going to waste.
I finished, washing it down with enough wine to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Rían nudged the stand closer. “Have another.”
“I couldn’t possibly.”
“Do you want it?”