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She pulled me back, making me look at her. At the utter lack of judgment there. “You needn’t explain anything to me. I know,” she whispered.

A quiet conversation. To honor the secret she’d kept for me.

Of course, she knew. Guessed it before I even had the words to formulate the depth of what I felt for Lukas.

“I’m still sorry. I would love to catch up soon.”

Sophie smoothed her hands down my arms to grab my hands, smiling kindly. “Soon, dear. Let’s do dinner first.”

I nodded then released her so she could go greet her son. She pulled Lukas into a distinctly mothering hug. Lukas and I had steered clear of the topic of children like the plague. But if we ever did, or rather, wereencouragedto, I’d want to be a mother like Sophie was.

She loved her children, took care of them, but let them be their own person. She somehow managed to maintain a tense version of a relationship with Nikolas, after everything.

Sophie fretted over Lukas and envy for a parent like that snaked through my chest.

“May I present Lord Athena and his wife, Lady Dimitria,” Avery, a young soldier, announced from the door. The introduction was far too formal for the occasion, but formalities mattered with my family. My father, addressed as a god. My mother, given the title ofLadybut not the Athena moniker because she had no natural power.

My parents appeared behind Avery a second later, looking as well-pressed and straight-backed as ever.

My father was a tall, lithe man who looked every bit the part university professor with a surprisingly stocked wardrobe. Tonight he was in a tailored jacket, such a rich brown it almost looked black. His glasses and hair carried the warm threads of color, my own hair a lighter descendant of his.

My mother was beautiful, there was no disputing that. Every feature was sharp, creating long lines that served as the perfect form to drape the newest style of clothes on. She was a classic beauty, with a heart-shaped smile and ice blonde hair.

“Darling,” my mother said when she saw me, the hard lines of her face barely contorting with her smile. “How good to see you.”

I wondered if she’d ever been concerned for me while I was gone. I hadn’t asked, not wanting to face the answer. Even with the excuse of me being away for work, we hadn’t talked.

My father nodded. “You look well.”

They both gave me a quick hug then moved to sit, taking the seats across from Sophie and I, with Lukas at the head of the table.

Lukas nodded at Avery, who ushered in two of our chefs—Myra and Erato. They plated the food quickly, almost enough that the silence at the table didn’t seem too awkward.

Once they left, it was my mother who spoke first. “You know, we were held up by someone in the foyer. He said he runs a shipping business.”

“Ari,” Lukas supplied casually, before leaning back with his glass of wine in one hand and resting the other on the arm of his chair closest to me.

“Well,” my mother said, offering Lukas a nod. “He just wouldn’t stop talking about how great you are, Daphne. Said he was always so impressed by you. I mean it was really something!”

I fought like hell to keep my smile, even though I was sure it had dropped from my eyes. Her tone was every bit kind, encouraging even. The words, taken out of context, were nothing overtly offensive.

That wasn’t where the needle dug in.

The pain lied with the utter shock, the disbelief that someone in my court could be impressed by me. Every compliment challenged their normal perception of me—that I was inadequate.

“That’s very kind of Ari to say,” I said, keeping my voice placating. There was no challenging their words, just acting like it didn’t hurt. “His business is operating on a great new model. Their boats use a different fuel that doesn’t pollute the seas. It’s actually—”

“Is this wine Bacchus?” My father interrupted, staring at something in the bottom of his wine glass.

“Yes,” I said, then cleared my throat. “From the southern peninsula.”

A mutteredhmmwas all I got in response.

“Have you tried on your wedding dress recently?” my mother asked.

Sophie leaned forward in her chair. “I’m eager to discuss the wedding, too, Dimitria. But, Daphne, what were you saying about Ari’s business?”

I waved my hand in the air. “Oh, I was mostly finished,” I said with a smile. I wasn’t, but keeping the peace was more important. “Just that it's doing wonders for the sea life in more shallow waters.”