Page 39 of Noble Charms

Aria scoffed, “Yes. He and Lind had this strange ploy, where they pretended their fucking was for my benefit, and asked that I join them. I told him to keep his hands off me. But downstairs, when he hugged me like that, in front of everyone, I just snapped.”

A silence fell between them. The waiter, who had no doubt been waiting at the window for a lull in the conversation, swiftly stepped out. “Good evening. The chef has sent a bottle of his favorite red for you two, if you'd like?”

“Please,” said Aria, the word emphasized and breathless.

“You like red wine, too?” said Noble, grinning. He gave the waiter a nod as he poured two glasses.

“It’s the only wine I drink.”

Noble chuckled and said, “Same.”

The waiter bowed at the waist, stepping away from the table. “I'll bring out the prix fixe menu for you two, if you’d like?”

“Are you still vegetarian?” asked Noble.

Aria’s mouth formed a little surprised oh. “You remembered.”

“There are a great many things about you that will stick with me for life, I think,” said Noble. He and Aria laughed.

Aria met the waiter’s stare and said, “I am. If it’s not a problem? I can eat the meat course if⁠—"

“No, no,” said the waiter. “We’ve a full vegetarian fixe. I’ll bring it for you.”

“Me too,” said Noble, “If you please.”

“Of course, my lord.”

“Please, you can call me Yves.”

The waiter bowed before disappearing through the kitchen door.

Silence fell upon the table. Noble took a sip of his wine and watched Aria avoid his gaze. “Hm. Well. I have to say, the full story is damning, now that I know all the details.” Aria's eyes widened marginally, but he didn't look up from the glass he had within his grasp. Noble continued, swirling his wine, “A man in his station fucking the bards at a guild that he funds? A flagrant misuse of power. A man who had been told to stop touching someone multiple times? Duke Ellor certainly behaved in a way that is not befitting of his title. An elf using their Elys-given gift to protect themselves from an unwanted advance is not illegal, my friend.” He took another sip of his wine.

Aria's mouth pursed in thought. Still, he did not meet Noble’s assessing stare. Had the last ten years really taken from him the fight he used to give Noble at every turn?

Noble was surprised to find he missed it. The cruel sass. How odd.

Maybe Noble had changed for the worse, too.

Noble said, placing the glass on the table, “Your actions firmly fall under what lawmakers call the Spirit of Law. Certainly, Suggestion is banned against sentient men. It is not banned against sentient aggressors. You did nothing wrong.” And he wasn’t just saying it for Aria’s benefit. Noble spent his university years studying law and knew this particular case would be closed within the hour of opening at court.

Aria smoothed his petite, elegant hands across the already-smooth tablecloth. Then, he looked up, and his blue eyes were enormous and arresting and shining with unshed tears. Noble wasn't sure how anyone could ever stand to see him cry. Ellor had truly been a monster. “Thank you.”

Noble gave one nod in acknowledgment, temporarily unable to speak for a reason he couldn't quite identify between his anger and sympathy and—ah, hunger. Yes. He was starving. He lifted his wine glass and took another drink. Then he said, “And, for what it's worth: he did certainly deserve it.”

“If you say so. I think maybe I’m less…virtuous than you believe.” Aria looked into his wine glass and said, “I’ve already lied to you once. I’ve been eating meat.”

“What?”

Aria winced. “When I was with Ellor, it was too difficult to prepare us separate meals every time. I started to eat a diet of fish, chicken, and duck. I don’t know why I said I was vegetarian now. It was a lie.”

Noble blinked a few times. “Do you want to tell them to serve us the regular course?”

“No. I just did not want you to…” Aria’s hand trembled on the glass. “You’re being so kind, and I was dishonest.”

Ellor had to have spent the last ten years telling Aria he was wrong. There was no other explanation for it—for this beautiful shade of a man sitting across the table. Noble said, picking his words with care, “The chef here cooks amazing food. The meatless fixe will be delicious either way.”

Aria drank from his wine and said, “I don’t even know what I want anymore.”