thinking. He just hoped Daemon was as happy about him mating her as Atreides was.
"You're the right man for her," her dad said.
Atreides was relieved her father would feel that way about him. He didn't want to be the wedge between Selena and her family.
"I knew it right away when you took care of her when hunters wouldn't." Her dad gave his son a chastising look, well-deserved, Atreides thought. Her dad also cast a reprimanding look in Rosa's direction. Also deserved.
Though Selena's sister and brother had apologized to her, it still was true. Not only were they hunters who hadn't watched out for her, they were her family, which made their reactions worse.
"Dig in," Atreides said, wanting everyone to enjoy their meal before it got cold.
"I agree with my mate," her mom said.
Atreides had hoped Selena's mother would feel the same way about him as her father did, so this was good tidings.
"We can see how she feels about you. You are perfect for her. How does your brother feel about this union?" Selena’s mother asked.
"I'm sure he'll be fine with it."
"You haven't told him about it yet?" her dad asked, pausing to take another bite of steak.
"I didn't want to upset their vacation," Atreides said, making a mistake in saying so. "I mean, if my brother had known all the trouble I've had, not with Selena, but with the rogue hunters, he would have returned right away with Tezra.”
"Tezra," her mother said. "She will help Selena make the transition as well."
"That's what we figure."
"We're glad for you both," her dad said then. "But we want to know if things change when Daemon returns home."
So they weren't fooled by Atreides's attempt to try and show that he believed Daemon would be fine with him and Selena mating.
Selena suddenly appeared in the dining room, arms folded across her chest, and frowning at Atreides. She'd startled everyone and four hunters had their swords drawn. Her parents hadn't seen her using a vampiric mode of transportation yet, so it was probably sinking in a little more that she wasn't exactly like them any longer.
"It was my decision, Daughter," her dad said. "Join us before you fall down."
Atreides was already helping her into the seat beside him, trying not to smile at her dad's words, or appear too grateful her dad had made the decision for her and wouldn't hear another thing about it.
"I told you I wanted to eat with everyone."
"You are, Selena," her mother said. "Just a little late. You were tired, sound asleep, and even Rosa's talking to us in your room didn't wake you. What were we to do? You are a bear when you are tired. And after being injured so? You needed to rest further."
Selena was already eating her steak. It appeared she hadn't lost her appetite, though halfway through her meal she sat back in her chair and looked sleepy all over again. He wanted to carry her back to bed, but he suspected she wouldn't go for it and they would have their first fight as a mated couple.
Instead, everyone talked about the battle, what worked, what went wrong while Selena made the greatest effort to stay awake. Atreides appreciated that they were trying to keep the subject off how tired she appeared. The way she was so lethargic, reminded him of when she'd been so savagely attacked before. Atreides was dying to ask her if she wanted to return to bed, but she could return herself there, so he knew she didn't want to.
All her family members were glancing at Selena, looking at her with worried expressions, feeling as Atreides did. That she needed to be in bed, sleeping, to recover from her wounds faster. They finished the meal, all but Selena, and Atreides saved the rest of her steak for her for later. Then he carried her to the couch and his housekeeper brought a blanket and pillow for her.
They all took seats in the living room where they continued to discuss hunter strategy, while Selena rested her head on Atreides's shoulder and was fine like that for a while. The next thing he knew, she was lying on the pillow on his lap and was sleeping soundly. Everyone seemed pleased to see the way Atreides handled the situation with Selena and were comfortable with her being there.
He still wanted to take her to bed, but he suspected he would wake her and as long as she was happily sleeping there while they all