My house is filled with people after we return from the cemetery. I don’t remember whose idea it was to have a reception here, but if it was mine, I’m regretting it now. A grieving person can only handle so many offers of condolence and hugs from people they should know the names of but don’t. That’s what happens when you have a huge family. I’ve been offering smiles and accepting hugs from family members I don’t know for over an hour now, and all I want to do is sneak to my room and lock myself inside until everyone leaves. Allison and Oliver are around here somewhere, helping my parents by handing out drinks and whatever sympathy food people brought with them. I feel guilty, but they’re such social people, they don’t mind chatting with my family.
I’m leaning in the doorway to the living room when a hand touches my shoulder, and Tristan shifts closer to kiss my cheek.
“How are you doing?” he whispers.
“Honestly?” I sigh. “I want to get the hell out of here.”
He slides his fingers through mine and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Why don’t we get you something to drink?”
I lean back into his chest and glance up at him with an arched brow.
“Tea or coffee, sweetheart,” he says.
I purse my lips. “What about coffee with something a lot stronger?”
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea right now.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I grumble.
“What’s that now?” he checks.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to say it again, Tris. Nice try.”
Before he can say anything, Mom approaches, offering a small smile. “Hello, Tristan,” she says.
“Mrs. Marshall,” he greets in a warm tone, reaching out to shake her hand. “Please accept my deepest condolences.”
“Thank you for being here today and for being so supportive of Aurora.”
“Of course. It’s been my pleasure.” He steals a glance at me and smiles.
I look over at my mom. “How are you doing?”
Her smile fades. “I’m hanging in there. Your father has barely left my side since we walked in the door. He’s talking to your uncle right now, so I thought I’d sneak away and check on you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Mom. Please take care of yourself and make sure Dad is doing the same.”
She blinks, trying to clear her watery eyes. “You’re my daughter, Aurora. I will always worry about you.” She glances past me to where Tristan stands. “Maybe you two should get out of here for a bit,” she suggests. “Go grab lunch or something. I’m sure we can hold the fort for an hour or so. You’ve been so strong during all of this, Aurora. Take a break.”
I shake my head. “I don’t need to, Mom. It’s okay. I’m not going to leave you and Dad to talk to all of these people.”
“Please, Aurora. This is your mom taking care of you.”
“Okay,” I concede. “Please call me if you need anything.”
“Deal,” she says, stealing a quick hug before walking back into the living room, where a group of people pull her into a conversation.
When Tristan pulls into the parking lot of one of the most expensive restaurants in the city, I shoot him a look.
“We’re not eating here,” I say, glancing over at the people walking into the building with suits and formal wear. “We could’ve gone for something more casual.”
“Is that what you want?” he asks, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.
My stomach growls at the thought of kung pao chicken. I glance over at him and offer a small smile. “Maybe.”
“Whatever you want, Rory, say the word.”
“There’s an amazing hole-in-the-wall restaurant a few blocks down.”
“You got it.” He pulls back out onto the street and holds one hand out to me, keeping the other on the wheel.
I slide my hand into his, resting it on the gear shift. “Thank you,” I murmur.
It only takes a few minutes to get to the locally owned Chinese place I told Tristan about. My family has been ordering from this restaurant since I was born, and from what I can tell, it’s still as amazing as it was over a decade ago.
One of the waitresses I’ve chatted with on several occasions, Tess, seats us in the far back booth and leaves us with menus. I scan mine as if I don’t already know what I’m going to order. I peek over at Tristan, watching him for a moment before his eyes flick up and catch me staring.
He shoots me a wink and sets his menu on the table. “Do you know what you want?”
I nod, dropping mine on top of his. “I knew before we walked in the door.”
He chuckles. “You’re always prepared.”
I tilt my head. “I spend so much time with you,” I say. “I have to be.”
Tess returns to the table with our drinks, so Tristan doesn’t say anything in response to my remark. I hand her the menus and order my kung pao chicken and vegetable chow mein before Tristan orders. She scribbles down what we want and hurries off to get our order in.
“Crap,” I mutter. “I left my phone in the car. I should go grab it in case my mom calls.”
“Stay here. I’ll get it,” he offers.
I shake my head, standing. “Toss me your key, and I’ll be right back.”
He fishes the key out of his pocket and drops it into my open hand. “Always so stubborn,” he murmurs.
I walk backward to the front door and blow him a kiss. Outside, I head toward the parking lot at the back, clicking the unlock button as I approach the passenger side. Swiping my phone out of the cup holder, I slip it into my jacket pocket and lock the car after I shut the door.
Before I can turn around, a hand clamps over my mouth. Someone slams me against the car. I cry out, pain shooting across my face where it hit the window. I spin around to face my assailant and wince when he grabs me by my throat. His dark brown eyes narrow, his white blond hair flying all over the place with the wind.
“Aurora,” he purrs, cocking his head to the side. He looks over my face as his fingers dig into my jaw.
I try to smack his hand away, cringing at the sharp pain. “Who the hell are you?” I growl, as two others step into my line of sight—a guy and a girl who both look my age.
He presses his knee between my legs and leans in until his face is inches from mine. “Keep quiet,” he snaps.
“Ease up,” the other guy barks.
“Fuck off, Nik,” the guy snaps but lets go of me.
“We were told not to harm her,” the guy—Nik—says.
“So what?”
Nik rolls his eyes, thrusting a hand through his messy black hair, and shrugs. “Your funeral, asshole.”
The girl sighs. “Can we hurry? I’m getting bored.”
I shove the guy away from me. “I’m going to take a shot in the dark and guess that you lot are light fae.”
Nik slow claps from where he’s leaning against one of the parked cars.
“What gave us away?” the guy still blocking my escape asks with a snicker.
“Well, it certainly wasn’t your friendly demeanor,” I remark dryly.