Page 189 of Change

I lowered my hands back to the seat only to see that Titus was clutching the steering wheel in a tight grip as he stared up at the roof of his car with a weary expression.

Really, though? It was completely fine.

“I…” His voice was hoarse, and he paused, clearing his throat before continuing once more. “I’m beginning to think that there’s a lot you don’t talk about because you underestimate how important those things are.”

That wasn’t true at all. “I’ll tell you what I think is important,” I argued.

He looked at me, tone low. “Everythingis important.”

Surely not. There was no need for him to know about my plans to make money with Maria, or about Ernesto Lucciano, whom I was probably going to text next week. I’d given him enough time to be intrigued at my supposed lack of interest. But now it was time to talk business.

Titus groaned, pressing his forehead against the wheel. “Why?”

“‘Why’ what?” I asked, beginning to sweat in sudden nervousness. He had his business dealings, and I didn’t intervene. So he should leave me to mine.

He sat up, rubbing his hand down his face, before finally looking at me once more. “Later,” he said, voice horse. “I don’t want to ruin tonight.”

Tonight?

But I thought we were just going to dinner. What was tonight?

“We’re here,” he said instead of answering. I followed his gaze out past the front of the car. Now that he mentioned it, I could see the scattered pinpricks of lights in the near distance past the dense covering of the trees.

“We’ll park here,” he said, unbuckling his belt. “This isn’t a place that most people drive to, at least from this direction. We’re right on the border.”

I took in our surroundings. Thick trees and barely any road. So, people walked?

Or was this place mostly frequented by fae from the other realm?

I didn’t have time to wonder before he opened my door, expression dazzling as he held out his hand for me. My breath caught at the sudden change on his face—he seemed genuinely happy. “Come on, Princess,” he said. “You wanted to taste fae food. I’ll show you some of what to expect. It’ll be one less thing for you to worry about.”

My vision blurred. I’d completely forgotten about that. “You b-brought me here for that reason?”

“Of course.” He tilted his head as he shot the most perplexed look. “Why, is that bad?”

“It’s not.” I rubbed my nose with the back of my arm, willing my tears to dry. “Thank you.”

Titus’s smile was blinding as my hand touched his. My skin rippled as he led me forward, and the distant, blurry scene that hadn’t made much sense before grew clearer. He continued to hold my hand as we walked through the dimly lit cobblestone path to the building.

The restaurant was all warm colors, crystal chandeliers, and candlelight, with skylights scattered across the ceiling. There were a number of patrons inside—families and couples—but we were lead through a back hallway, and I was only able to glimpse them through breaks in the curtains.

“This isn’t only a restaurant for fae,” Titus whispered low in my ear as he guided me after the hostess. “Shifters normally come in from the west—those are where the biggest packs are—and onmyoji from the south. Witches don’t generally come here; they are usually afraid to eat fae food. And necromancers keep to themselves.”

We were shown to a private room. There was a garnet-colored love seat, tastefully arranged gold-framed photos of landscaped sceneries, and sconces on the wall. The small round table was in front of two French doors leading to a private balcony.

Titus moved in front of me, pulling out my seat as the hostess left menus at the table and delivered her short greeting. Then, she was gone.

I sat in my seat, nervously twisting my fingers in my lap, while Titus moved to his. The table had already been set with goblets filled with ice and water, and he picked up the glass, downing the contents with two long swallows.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was nervous.

“I am,” Titus replied. “I’m worried about the future.”

The… future?

My fingers went numb. Could this be what Maria meant when she said he’d be angry at me for not escaping? But if I had, then Titus would be dead.

Or just really, really hurt.