Page 82 of The Last Aether

Phoenix grabbed the ice from Riven’s hand and thrust it into mine without a word.

Concern lined Atlas’s face as he stepped forward with a juice. He twisted the top and handed it to me. “Pushing too hard?”

I winced, feeling like an asshole for making him worry. “Maybe just a little.”

“A little?” Riven huffed.

“Go easy,” Kai said.

He turned his glare on Kai. “She’s been running herself ragged.”

Kai put a plate of cheese and crackers in front of me. “Eat up. Maybe that’ll make Riv less of a cranky pants.”

Riven prowled towards Kai, but I shot to my feet, stepping between them. “That’s enough. I really am okay. I should’ve stopped practicing thirty minutes ago, but I’m stopping now. But it’s working. I’m getting better.” I glanced at Phoenix, hoping for some backup.

He grunted but nodded. “She got in some serious hits on me this last round.”

Kai let out a whistle. “Pip the badass.”

I turned to Riven. “I’m sorry I freaked you out.” Because that was what was at the root of his bark, his worry. “I’ll try to keep better track of my energy levels and call it earlier.”

I heard a sigh in my mind, like a wave of relief.

“Thank you. I just don’t want you going too hard and hurting yourself because you’re still recovering.”

Blinking a few times, I shook my head. I had to have imagined that sigh. But even now, I swore I could feel Riven’s relief.

I pushed off the thought and moved to wrap my arms around him. “Will you be less cranky after I ruin your fancy-ass clothes with my sweaty hug?”

Riven chuckled in my ear. “Haven’t you realized yet? Your arms around me are worth any price.”

46

I closed my eyes, moaning around the bite of lasagna. The flavors burst on my tongue. The tangy yet sweet tomatoes, the rich mozzarella and creamy ricotta, and the pasta had to be homemade.

“Why didn’t you tell me you could cook?” The question was more of an accusation as I stared across the kitchen table at Atlas.

Kai shot Atlas a look. “Who cares why? All that matters is that he keeps doing it, so you keep making those sounds.”

Phoenix chuckled. “I don’t know, man. It’s awkward as hell to be hard at the dinner table.”

I ignored their juvenile antics and kept my gaze focused on Atlas. “You’re amazing at this.”

His cheeks took on a ruddy color and I swore I could feel his embarrassment at being the center of attention. “Thanks. I like doing it, but my dad never let me explore the interest. Since I got to Kingwood, I’ve been playing around in the kitchen.”

Anger burned in my belly. I’d like to have given King Terra a swift kick in the ass. “We should do this at least once a week. Family dinner.”

The words were past my lips before I could stop them. But when I played the statement back in my head, I snapped my mouth closed, my face heating.

Riven reached under the table, taking my hand in his. “I think family dinner sounds perfect. Maybe two or three times a week. We can share the cooking duties.”

His easy acceptance and welcoming of the idea had my insides warming. I wove my fingers through his. “I have to warn you guys, I’m not very good at cooking.”

Kai sent me a wolfish grin. “That’s all right, Pip. You can be on cleanup duty. Maybe wear one of those little French maid uniforms…”

I picked up the breadstick by my plate and threw it at him.

He caught it one-handed. “Uncalled for.”