King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(45)

My regard snapped around, scrutinizing them in a different light. No wonder they seemed…more. They were. They had fought alongside Antonio and Cahal. Not only had they experienced war firsthand, they had led the entirety of the Mystical population through it.

The Shifter, Elder Merrick, took that moment to wink at me, lazily sitting back on his chair. I blinked, a bit confused. What was that about? It took a slow smile from him for me to realize he was hitting on me from tables away.

I stilled, quickly peering away. Clearing my throat, I grabbed a fry, feeling strange at someone flirting with me while Ezra sat right next to me. After we had just had mind-blowing sex. Glancing at him, his eyes met mine.

He took a slow sip of his coffee. “I believe someone’s taken an interest in you.”

I tossed the fry into my mouth, sitting back, not really knowing what to say.

Ezra set his coffee cup on the table and lit another cigarette, after smashing the other one out on his plate, saying quietly, “This doesn’t have to be awkward between us.” He inhaled a drag. “The situation is no different than either of us taking another…” He shrugged, not ignorant enough to say ‘lover’ aloud.

After a tick, I nodded and relaxed, letting my head fall back against my chair. “Good.”

We sat in pleasant silence for a few minutes, both of us enjoying the peace.

Up until Ezra muttered, “Shit.”

“Do I want to know?” My eyes were closed, head still back on my chair.

“Well…,” Ezra drawled. “What could ruin our good moods right now?”

I snorted. “The Kings.”

He chuckled, even as I heard him light another cigarette. “And the winner receives a half-hour of listening to the Kings bitch.”

“You’re a chain-smoker. You know that, right?”

“Only when the situation suits,” he purred softly.

I snorted, rubbing my eyes before lowering my head to peer at the crowd. Only to see King Kincaid and King Venclaire heading our way, weaving through the tables. Their expressions were guarded, carefully examining us as if we were bugs under microscopes. “Does this place have a back exit?”

“I didn’t see one.” Of course he would have already looked.

“They were talking about me earlier,” I whispered quietly. “Trouble’s brewing.”

Ezra sipped his coffee again, saying on a mere breath, “They’re looking at me the same way as they are you, so it appears we’re both in trouble.”

“When are we not?”

Ezra snickered quietly and tilted his head as they approached, his position mirroring mine.

The Kings stood in front of our table, both watching us warily.

King Venclaire gestured to the chairs in front of them. “Are these seats taken?”

Ezra and I shook our heads, staying mute. The less we talked meant the faster they left.

Both Kings sat tranquilly on the chairs, even though their eyes darted between us.

King Venclaire murmured, “The rumor mill said you two were here.”

Wonderful. It had gotten so bad others were keeping tabs on us.

We shrugged like it was nothing special.

“More specifically,” King Kincaid’s eyes were watchful, “You were in here not arguing.”

Another time we shrugged.

King Kincaid scented the air. “Are you two drunk?”

I was pretty sure we stared in barely masked surprise until we shook our heads.

King Venclaire’s gaze went to Ezra’s cigarette, then to our eyes. “Stoned?”

This was actually damn funny, but I kept my mouth shut as we shook our heads.

King Kincaid’s eyebrows furrowed. “What’s going on then?”

King Venclaire’s nostrils flared as he relaxed further on his chair, staying silent.

It wouldn’t be advantageous to our goal of them leaving as quickly as possible if we played ignorant, so I stated honestly, “We had a discussion. Worked out our issues.”

“There may have been a little bloodshed, but,” Ezra ashed, “we got it all figured out.”

How I kept an innocent mien was beyond me, both of us holding their gazes guiltlessly.

King Kincaid sniffed the air, his face clearing as he sighed, and muttered, “Truth.” He smiled. A happy one, which slowly turned malicious. “As ecstatic as we are that there will be no more outbursts from you two, the other Kings and I have decided the both of you need a form of punishment for your recent childish behavior.” Ah, here we go. “Both of you will be working in the day care area.” My jaw clenched, eyes narrowing. Fucking prick. “Not together, mind you. We wouldn’t want you having too much fun.” He stood, placing his hands in his pockets, appearing as pleased as Punch. “So every morning one of you will be helping with the,” he snickered, “precious little ones.”

Ezra and I stayed mute, nodding only once and praying he would walk the f*ck away before he came up with any other atrocious form of punishment. He did leave, chuckling as he swept through the tables. Way too cheerful for it to be innocent in nature.

King Venclaire continued sitting where he was, gazing at us.

We stared back, just as mute as him.

A few moments into the silence, he asked Ezra, “Can I have a cigarette?” He smiled, and it was crafty and sinful. “I just came from…talking…with a friend, and I could really use one.”