“Of course,” Gavin said, nodding <b>at </b>the old woman. “It’s good to see you again, Esme<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    The woman, Esme, looked at him briefly, but didn’t say a word as her eyes drifted back home<b>. </b><b>I </b><b>looked </b>around, wondering if anyone had noticed this, but to my surprise, it was as if she were <b>hardly there</b><b>. </b>


    “She still hasn’t spoken a word,” Zachary said, almost thoughtfully<b>, </b>as he stared at the ss <b>of </b><b>red </b><b>wine </b>that <b>sat </b>in front of him. “<b>Not </b>since the day L was born.”


    “Have you seen a healer? Perhaps something is wrong with her vocal chords.”


    “We’ve seen many,” Zachary answered. “No One knows what is wrong or what to do to fix it. There’s nothing medically wrong; they all say she’s as healthy as a horse. She’s just mute.”


    A mute?


    I nced at the woman in shock; if she was mute, then how did she speak to me in my dreams<b>? </b>Maybe that was the only way she couldmunicate… but if that were the case, then why did she choose tomunicate with me? Who was this woman to me?


    <b>“</b>I’m sorry to hear that,” Gavin replied. “My father had said wonderful things about Madam Esme.”


    At the mention of Gavin’s father, Zachary’s eyes noticeably darkened until thye were practically ck. A coldness fell upon the room, and I shivered. Gavin’s hold on my hand tightened as if he could feel it as well.


    <b>“</b>Your father… right,” Zachary murmured. <fn5375> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fn5375>


    “I suppose that’s the reason why we are here, am I right?” Gavin asked. The tension was so thick, it could be cut with a knife.


    “Can’t we enjoy our meal first before we speak of business?” Selene asked, raising her eyes at her husband, who met her gaze with a hard one of his own.


    <b>“</b><b>Is </b>there business to speak of?” Gavin asked. “I assumed you invited me here to ask some questions


    regarding the gem.”


    Zachary tensed at his words. He cleared his throat before his eyes met Gavin’s.


    “This was more for business than anything. But yes, I do have questions as well. However<b>, </b>as my wife


    said, it should wait until after we enjoy our meal.”


    As if on cue, servants ghosted in with dishes I didn’t recognize: dark breads fragrant with anise, meat seared almost blue, a wine that looked like garments dissolving. I reached for water and kept my hands


    still to hide the tremor<b>. </b>


    Fruits, vegetables, and many other dishes were also served, and my mouth started to water at the sight of


    them all. <b>I </b>realized I hadn’t eaten since this morning, and both my baby and I were starving.


    “Please, enjoy the meal,” Zachary said as he put food onto his own te. “The cooks worked hard to prepare these dishes for this evening.”


    Instead of putting food on his own te, Gavn started to put food on mine. The gesture warmed my heart. The way he looked at me made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn’t help but smile at my mate.


    “How long have you two been together?” Selene asked as she sipped her wine.


    “We’ve known one another for a couple of years,” Gavin replied. “But we recently mated a few months ago.”


    I nodded in agreement as I took a bite of the juicy and delicious meat on my te. <b>I </b>practically moaned as the vors hit my taste buds.


    “It hasn’t hit the news yet,<i>” </i>Selene said. “You must be keeping it a secret.”


    “We haven’t had a proper ceremony or announcement yet,” Gavin exined. “But it’ll happen soon.”


    “Will there be a wedding as well?”


    “Yes,<i>” </i>Gavin answered, giving me a small smile.


    He started to put food onto his own te.


    “It’s wonderful to see blooming love. Isn’t it, darling?” Selene asked her husband, a twinkle of something I


    couldn’t figure out in her eyes.


    He hummed in agreement as he took a bite of his food.


    “Love that can ovee all,” L remarked, smiling as our eyes met. “Such a rarity these days.”


    My eyes shifted to her chest, where I noticed something gleaming; my heart dropped. It was the moon gem… the one stolen from Gavin’s mother. I wondered if Gavin had noticed it as well. I nced at Gavin, who hadn’t even bothered looking at L, as if the thought of looking at her made him sick.


    I opened my mouth to say something to him… though I wasn’t sure what I could say in front of everyone. Maybe something to get his attention. But before I could, the doors opened, drawing my attention to the


    entryway.


    <i>“</i>Sorry for the interruption,” a deep and dark voice said. “Is it toote for me to join for dinner?”


    My heart nearly stopped in my chest.


    Noah ckwell.