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“That won’t be necessary, my heart,” Alaric said. “I’ll have the recipe sent to you.”

“Really? I’d love to try making these myself.”

I reached for another pastry and cut it into four smaller pieces. The others needed to taste it too, and it didn’t seem fair to leave them out when all five of them had been taking such care of me.

“You should try it too,” I told Lucien, holding out a piece.

I expected him to take it from my hand, but he hesitated, his gaze moving from the pastry to my face. Then he put down his knife and leaned closer to take it straight from my fingers instead.

I pulled my hand back, suddenly feeling a little shy, then picked up the next piece for Leon.

Alaric leaned back to give us room; Leon leaned toward my hand, looked at me, then took it. Darius set down his cup when I turned to him, and Lucien moved aside so he could lean closer for his piece.

They were all so careful not to catch my fingers with their teeth, but by then I was thinking far more about their mouths than the pastry.

Caius pushed his chair back and came closer when I held out the last piece.

His lips brushed my fingertips as he bent his head to take it.

I kept my eyes on him as the scent of wild strawberries and jasmine suddenly grew much stronger around us.

I’m perfuming again.

Someone nearby stopped mid-sentence, just as heat rushed straight into my cheeks. I caught a glance from farther along the table, then Astrid’s small smile as she lowered her glass.

Caius returned to his seat, and I took a long gulp of the sweet wine, hoping no one would say anything.

My hand shook when I put the glass down.

I quickly hid both hands in my lap, wishing I knew how to make the scent stop.

Alaric’s hand closed over mine beneath the table.

Without thinking, I turned my palm and slipped my fingers between his. He kept talking to the others, and I was grateful he didn’t make a fuss.

Little by little, I relaxed again, even if my cheeks were still embarrassingly warm.

Magnus eventually rose from his chair opposite Alaric, and the conversation around the table quietened. I looked up in relief, still holding Alaric’s hand beneath the table.

“The hour has come for Stormforge to retire,” he said, looking from the five men to me. “Go with the blessing of House Vaelor.”

Magnus raised his fist, and Alaric leaned closer to my ear.

“They’ll strike the table again, my heart.”

I squeezed his hand in gratitude and had just enough time to prepare myself.

Magnus brought his fist down twice, and chairs scraped back all along the table as the guests stood to join him. Their closed fists struck the stone in two heavy beats, then paused before repeating them.

Alaric bowed his head to Magnus, then rose and helped me to my feet. The other four stood with us, and he leaned close enough for me to hear him over the noise.

“Shall we, my heart?”

I nodded and turned towards Astrid, still holding his hand. She smiled at me and so did Helena and Maren; their warmth made me smile back. The older Alphas beside them gave us small nods as Alaric guided me away from the table.

Lucien walked on my other side, with Darius, Leon and Caius close behind. The guests kept beating their fists against the stone as we passed, and I stayed close to Alaric.

I was suddenly very aware that I was going home with them.