The princes don't seem to notice. Deimos eats directly from the platters, unable to put enough into his mouth. He has a fresh cut across his cheek, blushing pink, but I don't ask him what happened. Luther had told me he went out hunting, and if that's his escape, I respect his decision.
Luther only eats meat, nothing else, and when I watch him cutting slices and eating them hungrily, all I can remember is the two of us in the tub earlier today, talking, laughing, embracing. He fills out his deep mocha-colored coat so well, leather buckles taut across the front instead of buttons. There's no mistaking the attraction I hold for him. His black hair is draped off his shoulders, a thin layer of growth on his jawline, and my body awakens at the memory of him naked against me. My stomach flip-flops at how much I crave him… crave all three princes.
Ahren isn't eating but staring into the darkened corners of the room.
I lower my fork to the table. "Ahren, are you alright?"
He doesn't respond but remains distant. The other two glance up, looking over to their brother.
"Ahren, you with us?" Luther asks with a calm voice.
The eldest prince blinks and turns his attention to the three of us. "What did I miss?" He helps himself from the ceramic bowl of stew and begins eating as if none of us are watching him.
Luther looks my way. The corner of his mouth quirks, coaxing my own smile. His feet under the table clasp around mine. Every inch of me responds to him, screams for more.
Deimos tilts his head in my direction, his hand sliding onto my thigh, fingers pulling the fabric of my skirt up my legs.
I tense and push his hand away, tucking my legs back from Luther's reach. I'm not a prude, but right now, I am more concerned for Ahren and need to know he's okay.
"Ahren, do you have plans tomorrow?" I ask just as the door to the great hall opens. Footfalls echo around us as several maids hurry inside with platters of cakes and fruit and cheese.
"I'm busy," Ahren replies, not even looking at me.
I swallow hard and try not to overthink his reaction. Everyone is quiet tonight, and it's understandable, so I let it go. Sorrow is a close friend of mine. I focus on my meal while the maids squeeze the desserts onto the table. I've always been a sucker for sweets, and the three-tiered chocolate cake has my name written all over it.
"Would you like a piece?" Deimos asks, having seen me drool over the treat. "It's the sweetest plum cake."
"Plum? Not chocolate?"
Luther leans back in his seat, grinning like the Cheshire cat, which feels appropriate for the realm I've fallen into here. "There's no such thing as chocolate here, little wolf."
I frown. "The cake looks like it could be."
Deimos places a wedge on a clean plate, and I have my fork ready when he hands it to me. Even before it touches my tongue, I smell the fruit, but I don't care and stuff it into my mouth, wanting it desperately to be chocolate.
Sweetness spreads over my mouth—super sweet—the icing buttery and more like blueberry jam than chocolate. I won't lie, disappointment sweeps over me, but beggars can't be choosers, right? I finish the slice.
Ahren's on his feet. "I'm calling it a night." Without another word or even a glance my way, he turns and strides toward the door.
Nothing feels right about his behavior. I get he is grieving, but so are his brothers, and they can look me in the eyes and talk to me. They are super affectionate—in fact, more than before—so what's up Ahren's ass?
I stew over his behavior. When the door shuts behind him, I push away from the table. My chair scrapes on the stone floor and I scramble to my feet.
"Guendolyn?" Deimos asks.
"I'll be back. I just need to do something. Don't eat all the cake," I tease as Luther reaches for a slice.
Out in the hallway, Ahren strides down the corridor quickly, his shoulders curving forward like he carries the world's problems on them. We've been through too much together, he’s shared personal things about himself with me, and I want to be there for him. Whether he wants it or not.
Guards are stationed along the marble hallway and down every passage I travel. With Ahren moving faster now, I quicken my pace.
He suddenly glances over his shoulder at me, shadows dancing his darkening eyes. "You have no subtlety when you track someone."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't trying to sneak up on you." I close the distance between us as he slows down but never stops completely.
I look up at him and wait for him to say something, but he never does. I reach for his hand, my fingers finding his warm skin. He doesn't flinch, but he doesn’t hold my hand either. Worry coils at the base of my gut, and with it comes a fear that he doesn't want to be with me. A lot of things scare me, and I've conquered many of those fears, except when it comes to the princes, my bravery dissolves.
For now, I tell myself it's him grieving.
"Was thinking we can spend time together to talk," I offer.
It's only when we reach the door that leads to the bridge between the castle and mansion that he pauses. Two guards flank the door, and I feel uncomfortable having them listen to us.
"It's best you return to my brothers for dinner. With the king's passing, I won't have time for you." His voice is flat and cold. Icy shards spear through my chest as he stares right through me.
This isn't Ahren. "What's going
