I snorted as I walked over. “What are you doing?” I pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing my arms as Rowan uncorked the wine and poured a glass. I watched as he slid the glass toward me and poured himself one.

“I am enjoying a meal, while I clear up some things with someone special,” he said, his words sounding sincere. But I just snorted.

“I’m not hungry,” I snapped, but my body betrayed me with a loud growl. He raised an eyebrow. “Pine!” I snatched my glass and took a large drink. Rowan snorted and uncovered the plate in front of me. The smell of steak and baked potato hit me, causing my stomach to growl again.

Rowan chuckled as he uncovered his own plate. I growled softly, glaring over my wine glass. Needing another drink, I downed the remaining wine. Rowan, already holding the bottle, refilled my glass as I held it out. He shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “I know you have every right to hate me, but please just listen during this meal. Then, if you still want nothing to do with me…” He trailed off, setting down the bottle. “Goddess, I hope that doesn’t happen, but I would respect your wishes.” He looked at me, and for the first time in a long time, I believed him.

“Fine,” I said, putting down my glass and grabbing my fork. I wasn’t stupid enough to starve myself just to spite him. He was clearly staying until he’d said his piece. And I wasn’t going to let Clara’s food go to waste.

“But,” he said, looking up from his plate, meeting my gaze. “When this is over,” I waved my knife between us, “I don’t want to see you, or talk to you, unless it concerns Vince and his clowns.”

Rowan sat back. “You don’t want to talk to me?” He chewed his lip, and I groaned inwardly. “At all?”

I was staring at his lip and needed to snap out of it. Nix and Megan, purring contentedly, were no help. I shook my head. “I will do my duty to you and our kind. I will ensure you continue your reign as king, but for my sake…a clean break is necessary.” I tilted my head. “And I think that includes Erubus coming to see Nix and Megan.”

“Hey!” Nix called out.

But Megan shushed her. “She’s right. If we still see him, we won’t give anyone a fair chance.” Megan looked back at me. “I don’t want to hurt Amy anymore than I already have.”

Nix looked between us and sighed. “Fine.” Then she stalked away.

Rowan watched me for a few seconds before sitting back with a nod. “Fine.”

I felt my stomach unclench. “Fine,” I echoed, shaking off the lingering unease and starting to eat. After a few seconds, I glanced up at Rowan. “Are you going to start, or are you just going to stare at me?”

He smiled and nodded, grabbing his wineglass and emptying it. He placed the glass down gently and picked up his fork and knife. “It’s funny,” he chuckled, slicing into his steak.

“What is?” I asked, taking a bite.

He chewed slowly, then swallowed. “I had this entire thing planned out. After you outran Erubus earlier, I came here to wait. I spent the whole time planning what I would say and how I could fix everything…” He trailed off, looking at me as he cut his steak.

“And now?” I tilted my head, taking another bite of steak.

He sighed. “Now I don’t know what to say. I don’t even think I could say anything to make you change your mind.” He filled his wine glass, then pulled out his phone. He dialed someone and waited. “Hi. Can I get three more bottles of wine to Amy’s room, please, Clara?” He paused. “Any will do. I just need to work up the courage.” There was a soft giggle. “Thank you.” He hung up and turned back to me. I raised an eyebrow, and he smiled, then downed another glass of wine. “I don’t even know if I should try to explain it at all.”

I felt a tightening in my chest. I shook it off and shook my head slightly. “Oh…why is that?”

“Because,” he said, taking a deep breath. “You deserve way better than me.”