Page 5

CHAPTER FIVE

P erhaps choosing an exceptionally exquisite female as his partner was not an intelligent idea. Fending off lusty males would prove inconvenient.

Though destiny had chosen Tavia for this particular quest, he was certain.

Lucius did his best to maintain an air of confidence, even though his internal emotions were raw. The only thing keeping him moving forward was his missing artifact. The one that had been on him the night Hacinda betrayed him.

Even thinking her name brought out a feral need to obliterate that trickster fae.

But he would not let one life-changing betrayal dampen his mood .

“Ahh, here we are,” he said, stopping at a café called Twinki’s Delights.

The front of the shop had windows from which one could admire the delectable dishes the patrons were eating.

Opening the door, he motioned for Tavia to walk in.

It was early, and the place remained relatively empty.

A tall, skinny fae with greenish skin and large, pointed ears approached them.

“Table for two,” Lucius said before the server could respond.

He didn’t recognize this fae, and Twinki’s Delights had been one of his favorite places to eat before he turned.

“Sure, right this way,” the server said, leading them to a table in the corner.

Ever the gentleman, Lucius pulled out the chair for Tavia, who sat.

“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly as if she had never been treated properly before.

The waitress dropped two menus on the table. “Can I get you two something to drink?”

“A deep bodied red for me, and my wife will have . . .” he paused, allowing Tavia to speak for herself, but her wide-eyed, panicked expression made him think the options were too overwhelming. “One glass of honey apple juice and a hot whipped chocolate drink.”

“Very well. I’ll be back with those drinks.”

Tavia frowned and he wondered if he had already soiled the marriage. “My apologies. I wouldn’t have ordered for you, but you seemed frazzled at all the choices.”

“I am,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve never seen so many different kinds of cakes, pancakes, and soups. How do you choose?”

Relaxing back in the seat, Lucius admired the overwhelmed expression on his bride. “By selecting the ones that have your favorite flavors. Surely, you have some?”

“Chocolate. My father would always bring back some when he went to the village, which wasn’t often.”

There was a sadness when she spoke of her father, and though Lucius wanted to pry a bit, he decided to keep the conversation light .

“It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten here, but you can’t go wrong with the chocolate scones. They come with a delectable fresh cream and berries.”

“What are you having?” Tavia asked, a sudden light in her worried gaze.

The waitress returned with the drinks. Lucius picked up the wine.

“This is enough for me,” he said before taking a long sip.

“Are you ready to order?” The server asked, taking out a paper pad and pencil.

Tavia nodded and gave her order exactly as Lucius had described it.

When the waitress left, Tavia stared at the two drinks before taking the hot whipped chocolate one. When her lips touched the sweet liquid, her gaze widened in delight.

Lucius chuckled, pleased that his new companion was so enthralled with a bit of chocolate.

By the time the server had returned with the food, Tavia asked for another drink.

If he could spend an eternity watching Tavia enjoying one delight after another, it would be a pleasant existence. For too long, he had only enjoyed the company of the rich, who wanted for nothing. Watching someone enjoy the simpler pleasures was an unexpected treat.

Tavia took the white napkin on the table, wiped her mouth, and tugged at the string in the front of her dress.

“It’s much easier to eat in my leathers,” she grumbled.

“If it pleases you, when we are alone, feel free to eat in the nude.”

Surprisingly, Tavia laughed, another unexpected delight. “I’m not that uncomfortable.”

Before Lucius could tease her more, the waitress returned, and this time, Lucius needed information.

“Excuse me,” he said, flashing a bright smile. “My wife and I are on our honeymoon and we're looking for the grandest celebration to attend. Any ideas?”

He reached over to take Tavia’s hands, and even though hers were slightly sticky from eating, she gave him one, playing the part of a happy newlywed.

“Oh, that would be the big masquerade in the Golden City next week. Word is it’s the grandest ball of all.”

“And how does one get invited? ”

“You need a lot of coin, more than I could ever earn.”

“Thank you. You’ve been most helpful.” Lucius released Tavia’s hand and dug into his pocket for his coin purse. He placed a few golden coins on the table. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”

He stood, reaching out a hand to Tavia. ”How was your meal, darling? Everything you hoped for?”

“It was very delicious,” she replied with a smile—and it truly was. She couldn’t ever remember eating something so grand.

The waitress stared at the golden coins, her eyes misty. She nodded and gathered the coins in her hand.

Lucius led Tavia out of the café, slipping his arm around hers when they reached the cobblestone street.

“What now?” she asked.

“If we’re going to a ball, I need to ensure you can dance.”

Tavia stopped walking, a new fear in her teal gaze. “I don’t know how to dance.”

Lucius patted her arm. “No worries, my dear. We have one week to turn you into an aristocratic bride. ”

“That’s impossible.”

He leaned over by her ear. “No, my darling, you releasing me from that coffin was impossible.”

Tavia’s expression softened. “It was luck.”

“What you believe to be luck, I believe is destiny. No, don’t fret, my darling wife. When I'm done with you, no one would ever believe that you lived in the shadows stealing for scraps.”

Tavia turned, separating from Lucius. “This is strictly a platonic partnership.”

“Is it?”

When she didn’t respond right away, Lucius stepped into the space she was trying to create between them.

“Who are you trying to convince, my pretty dove, yourself or me?”

With a huff, Tavia turned, hiding her expression.

He didn’t need to see her face to know that there would be a rosy hue in those pale cheeks of hers.

But Lucius was the one that needed to be careful.

Trusting a thief would only land one in a tricky situation, and he was not ready to be snuffed from this world again.