seafood restaurant, she'd probably get a can of tuna.
"So check out my loot," Cadeon said as he dug into one of his bags. He'd removed his hat, shaking out his hair to cover his horns, and now looked insufferably gorgeous.
"Here." He handed her two packages. "I got you a watch. You used to have a nice one."
He'd noticed even that small detail?
"I got one, too," he said.
Oh, yes, because he'd pulverized his in his fist earlier. "They're not...matching or anything, are they?"
"Holls, I'm a demon; I'm not a tool."
"Oh, of course." She accepted the box, raising her brows. Cartier.
She'd always steered clear of that brand because many of the watch styles were diamond-intensive. Not so good for her since she'd get entranced with each glance at the time.
When she opened the package, she almost smiled. Not a diamond in sight. Platinum, simple but elegant. Why was he being so...thoughtful? "Cadeon, it's lovely, but really, this is too nice. I can't let you pay - "
"I'll expense it. Now, close your gab, and open the next one."
She glowered, but did. Inside were...her glasses. Smitten Kitten. She blinked at him. "You're giving me my own glasses?"
"I had the lenses changed to clear. You said you couldn't think without them on, and you were getting headaches."
Her lips parted as she donned them. Who was more supportive? Tim, who verbally encouraged her, or Cadeon, who made her work possible?
Stop comparing them! Tim also didn't go and doff bar owners of the sexually insatiable demoness variety.
"They feel perfect. But, Cadeon, I'm turning back. My eyesight will go bad again."
"Then get them changed again later. But for now, you've got work to do," he said, adding gravely, "Holly, it's not like codes write themselves." He handed her another bag. "Now, check out the coat I got for you."
Reaching into the bag, she pulled out a small, formfitting ski jacket. "It's red."
"It should be. You don't own anything red." Again, he'd noticed.
She was surprised by his good taste, but still said, "It doesn't look very heavy."
"New technology, halfling. This will keep you warm when it's twenty below. Just trust me. Besides, you're not feeling the cold as you used to, are you?"
"No, I guess not...."
The server came with their drinks then: a beer for Cadeon, and for her a chilled bottle of Perrier - unopened per Cadeon's request.
Once the man left to check on their order, she said, "Why are you always concerned about me eating?"
Cade exhaled, hating this part. Because I'm not a good man, and I'm about to betray you in the cruelest way imaginable....
It seemed to him like every moment of satisfaction with his female cost him another lie, digging himself deeper, ensuring there could be no forgiveness.
Block it out. "Maybe your transition can be slowed if you held onto some human traits?"
She sighed. "I'm hungry less and less. I could easily see myself forgetting to eat altogether."
"The change has already taken a foothold in you. I don't think you even realize how much stronger and quicker you're getting."
She grew quiet for long moments, folding and refolding her napkin with her thin, nimble fingers. The ones that had been wrapped around his shaft mere hours ago. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Cadeon..."
"What's on your mind?"
"I was just wondering...what's it like to live forever?"
Wearying. Without a mate and family, it was so damned wearying. But he answered, "Living forever has it perks. Such as the not dying part. Are you thinking about signing on for immortality?"
"I don't know how to answer. I definitely see advantages to being a Valkyrie. But I don't want to be the Vessel. I don't want to be dead or bred. And I don't know how I'd reconcile my current life with the change. What if I flashed an ear in class?"
"You'd be amazed how many Lorekind live among humans, and they never know it."
She tilted her head. "Honestly, I'm not certain that I'd want to live forever...." She trailed off when the server returned with their dishes.
For Cade: a twenty-ounce porterhouse. For her: bananas unpeeled and boiled eggs with their shells intact, accompanied by plastic ware, still in the wrapper.
She looked from her meal to his, her expression growing forlorn.
"You want some of my steak, don't you?"
She shook her head hard, clearly wanting some of his steak. "I still have...issues."
"I know, I know. You like things untouched and still packaged."
She frowned when the server returned with another plate for her, filled with lobster tails and uncracked crab legs.
When they were