"Yes. As I said, I understand. And I will endeavor to be less cold with you about this. It does make sense.” He leaned over and kissed my temple. “What are you thinking of having?"
He wrapped his arm around me as our beverages arrived. Taking a drink, he looked out at the people. So many eyes flashed back and forth at us, all trying to avoid being caught as they tried to steal a glance.
I opened the menu again and pointed at a dish. Struggling to pronounce the name, I laughed. “Sorry. I really need to read more of the language. I’m still learning.” I tried again, hoping he could understand. Feeling him drift mentally, I leaned into him slightly. “I didn’t mean to lecture you. I’m sorry.”
He snapped back, his eyes softening. “You are fine, Auri. I meant it when I said I understood.”
“Okay good.” I attempted the word again and failed… again.
The corner of Kane’s mouth upturned in amusement. "That's a hot drink that is a human festive treat. I think you will enjoy it. Many here do. But in regard to the humans, I recognize what you mean, and I think it's charming of you to stick up for them. I can be cold and self-serving. I will try to speak of humans with less disregard” He signaled for a person to come and accept our order. Once they were there, he requested several items. “An order of moa legs, the three meat pie dishes, some dolyak milk with a zest of preccoli mint and the platter of dreitque. Do not burn it.” His tone was curt as he spoke, then he waved his hand dismissively, shooing them off.
“Thank you.” My eyes went over the menu again, having kept it when the server left, moving closer to him so I could ask questions. I wanted to say something about how he was with the help, but I left it alone. “That was a hot drink? I was sure it was food. I must be distracted if I’m struggling to grasp your language considering that I’ve been exposed to several books.”
He chuckled and kissed my temple. I was feeling like we were on a real date and loved it. Well, all except that people kept gawking at us. That part made me feel like we were celebrities. But in a way, there, we were. Probably the closest thing they had to what we, on Earth, considered celebrities anyways.
Part of me wondered if I should be cozied up to him like I was. A question I asked as soon as the server left. “Kane? Should I be so close to you? Is that inappropriate? Or are they just waiting to see some carnage when you kill me right here. Is that what they expect? They kind of seem nervous.”
"I do not know what they expect, but I might have left this place a real mess the last time I was here." He kissed my hand and placed it on the table, resting his over mine. His strong fingers lacing between my slender ones.
Our fingers gently caressed each others’. “You did what? What kind of a mess and why?” My drink arrived and I looked it over, taking in its aroma while waiting for a reply. It was sweet with a aromatic, floral aroma.
"I might have been really hungry last time I was here.” He watched and waited for me to take a taste. “How do you like it?”
I wiped the remnants of the drink from my upper lip, not sure if I should be amused or mortified. “Hungry, huh? And these people don’t scatter at your very presence? They actually let themselves be slaughtered?”
"I am not sure why they aren't running out. Maybe they just don't want to show fear because then I might want to eat them." He leaned toward me and bared his fangs. “Like prey trying to hide from their predator.
I was about to take another drink when he commented. My reaction? I laughed. but not just laughed. I laughed into my drink, sending some of the liquid spraying out of the glass. Quickly, I grabbed up a napkin and dabbed my mouth then started to clean up the table. "What? Are you a lion or an alligator? I mean, we're all animals, sure. But you're..." I looked at him and shrugged. "Well yeah. Okay. Fair. You're a predator." I wasn't paying attention to those that were closely watching us. My attention was fully on Kane, amused by him.
He reached out and finished cleaning up the spray, tossing the napkin and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "I'll hunt you right to bed, love."
I blushed, shaking my head. "Predator." I dropped my napkin and stood. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go to the restroom and wash up now."
Kane stood up with me and bowed his head. “Yes. Shall I order anything more while you’re gone?”
“No, thank you.” I eyed the approaching server carrying my food. “That looks like plenty.”
Leaving the table, I disappeared into the restroom after asking a server for direction, who glanced back at Kane before giving me directions, as if they needed permission. It didn’t take me long to clean up, and I found myself wanting to get back to Kane. A couple minutes later, I was on my way back to the table when I was stopped by a hand on my arm.
An older, weathered man, who didn't look at me, spoke, his eyes cast down at his table, "You're in grave danger being with that one. You'd best find your way to the door
