Refuge(122)

We stopped at a table at the end of the room. Ignoring our audience, Desmund pulled out a chair for me facing the room. I sat, and he took the one next to me then leaned in close and said, “You see; nothing to it.”

Before I could answer, Tristan joined us. “Desmund, I’m glad you decided to dine with us this evening.”

“I thought a change of scenery was overdue, my friend.” Desmund perused the occupants of the room and I noticed his gaze lingered appreciatively on Terrence. I couldn’t blame him; Terrence was gorgeous. I debated whether or not to tell him Terrence was straight, but then I thought, who was I to ruin his fun?

Tristan took the seat on my right. “I’m happy you joined us,” he said in a lowered voice. “I know it’s not the same for you without Nate.”

“No, but I still have family here with me.”

He smiled, and then his eyes slid to Desmund. “Did you . . . ?”

I gave the smallest shake of my head. “His idea,” I mouthed.

“Well, this should make for a fun evening.” Chris pulled out the chair across from Tristan and winked at me like I should be in on some private joke. “I see you’re still kicking, Desmund.”

Desmund inclined his head. “Christian, it is good to see you again.”

Chris looked from Desmund to me, and I ignored the question burning in his eyes. Like everyone else here, he wanted to know what I was doing with Desmund. I had no intention of satisfying their curiosity at the moment.

The noise level in the room began to rise again as people got over their shock and started to talk quietly among themselves. Someone came by and filled our water glasses, and I sipped my water as Desmund and Tristan talked about people they knew from a long time ago. A waving arm caught my eye and I spotted Jordan, who was giving me the “you have some explaining to do” look from the other side of the room. I smiled and shrugged, and she shot me the “don’t even think you are getting out of this” look.

One person was noticeably absent. I was wondering if Nikolas was going to join us when he walked into the room. My heart did a little skip when his eyes found mine and he started toward us. Then his gaze shifted to my left and surprise registered on his face when he saw my dinner companion. It was quickly followed by a scowl, and it was obvious he was not happy to see Desmund beside me. I hoped he was not going to make a big deal of it. Bond or no bond, I was still going to pick my own friends whether he liked them or not.

“Hey,” I said breathlessly when he sat across from me. I gave him a timid smile, not sure how to act around him now.

“Hey,” he replied, his eyes noticeably softer. He greeted Tristan and Chris then looked at Desmund. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

Desmund chuckled. “As am I, but I am feeling quite like my old self again of late. It’s miraculous really.”

“Is that so?” Nikolas gave me a suspicious glance. “I wonder what could have caused it.” The look in his eyes promised we would talk later.

“If I could credit it to anything, it would be my charming little friend here.” Desmund laid a hand over mine on the table, and Nikolas’s eyes narrowed. I could tell by Desmund’s tone that he was enjoying himself immensely, and I groaned silently. “I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed our evenings together.”

Nikolas eyes glinted dangerously, and I wanted to kick Desmund for his devilry. Surely Nikolas knew Desmund was gay and only messing with him, right? I gave Chris a helpless look and found him trying to suppress a grin. Now I knew what he’d meant when he said this was going to be fun. At this rate, we weren’t going to make it to the first course.

“We play checkers,” I clarified, and Nikolas’s gaze swung back to me. “One of these days I might actually beat him.”

“Checkers. How quaint.” Celine slid into the chair next to Nikolas wearing a sapphire blue dress so tight I was surprised she could sit without splitting a seam. She leaned toward him and gave a throaty laugh, her barely covered chest on display. “Although, I can think of much more entertaining ways to spend an evening.”

Nikolas smiled, and I had a sudden desire to kick him under the table. That, or remind him that I could zap Mohiri, too. The only question was whether to do it to him or Celine first. I would not forget how she had lied to me and tried to manipulate me into breaking the bond with Nikolas.

“Ah, the beautiful Celine,” Desmund said, earning a smile from her. “Did I ever tell you that you remind me of a courtesan I knew once in King George’s court? She was stunning to look upon and much sought after.”