He pulls my chair out for me, his hands lingering on my shoulders even as he moves away to his own seat. Sitting across from me, he pours a cup of tea, adding the perfect amount of cream, and hands it to me. My heart squeezes at the small gesture. When we each have a plate full of aromatic food, he starts his questioning again, and I realize that this really is a date. I don’t know what I thought it would be, or why I’m surprised, but the normalcy of spending time with Thorne in this way is striking. We could be two regular fae, learning more about one another, just like he said he wished we could be yesterday in the caves.

“How did you end up with Lunaria?”

I chuff. “I was training in The Spined Moors, more inland than where we’ve visited. I felt her presence and was absolutely terrified. She stalked me for hours before I finally glimpsed her. When I realized what was watching me, I aerstepped to the coast, but she followed me there. Every day after that for a month, whenever I would train, she would just appear. If I moved locations, she would follow me. Eventually, I worked up the courage to pet her, and she let me. I asked her if she wanted to come home with me, and I just somehow knew her answer was yes. So, I brought her back to the palace, and she’s been with me ever since.” He looks at me with equal parts incredulity and awe, like I’m the most interesting person in the world.

“I can’t believe you just brought one of the most fearsome wild animals in all the Four Kingdoms home with you after petting her one time.” His eyes convey both terror and humor.

I shrug. “That’s the best part of being so powerful. I’m usually pretty sure I’m the real predator in any situation.” I say the words as a joke, but I watch his face for any sign of fear or recoil. His expression reflects nothing but respect “Did you ever have any pets?” I ask, trying to distract myself from the feelings building in my chest.

“Other than Fionn, no.” I roll my eyes.

“How are Fionn and Silene taking everything? Do you think they really believe us?” I ask.

“Silene does. She’s still sighing in hopeless romanticism every half hour.” I chuckle with the image of a dreamy eyed Silene. “Fionn is harder to read. I think he’s still skeptical but trusts me to make the decisions that are right for me.”

“I’m envious of the family you’ve found with Silene and Fionn,” I say quietly, thinking of the loss of my own found family. Thorne takes my hand.