“You should have told me you were hungry.” He closed the journal with a snap.
“Yeah, because you were so welcoming of my commentary before this?”
“I’ve been more welcoming with you than anyone else.”
“Why?”
He pursed his lips, stood and offered her a hand. “Come. Let’s get you fed.”
“Food, yes. Aid, no.” She slapped his hand aside and scrambled to her feet. “Ophelia Falconcrest, reporting for duty, sir, yes, sir.”
This female. Somehow, she took everything and nothing seriously, and it was both maddening and charming. He clasped her wrist and flashed her into the kitchen, intending to gather items for her to confiscate.
The chef and her helpers manned the stoves. A thick veil of steam curled around them as they chopped and stirred different pots, despite the time. A minute past noon. He didn’t understand. There was to be no freeze today?
The group stopped what they were doing and faced him and Ophelia, their expressions highlighting different degrees of shock.
He must wear one too. Had he misunderstood how things worked? Had the day ceased resetting? Did the freeze only occur on the days Erebus challenged him?
“Did you happen to notice that no one’s frozen?” Ophelia asked with a frown.
“I did.” He didn’t like that he didn’t have answers. “Tell the chef what food I’d like to eat. I want all your favorites. A male my size has a big appetite, so order accordingly.”
“Really?” A bundle of excitement, she rushed to sit at a long marble counter overlooking the chopping station. A spot usually reserved for the General or her highest ranked officials. “The Astra is starved. Ravenous! He wants a seven-course feast featuring the best of everything the palace has to offer. He’s willing to punish anyone who serves a subpar dish.”
“He is very willing,” Halo said, sitting next to her and doing his best to return his focus to the journal. The more he learned, the surer his victory.
Though he never looked up from the pages, he couldn’t shake his awareness of the harpy. He knew the moment she received her buffet of food. Knew when she took a bite and what she selected.
For the time being, the gears and coils inside him were frozen, even though the citizens of Harpina were not. Once again, desire overshadowed his tension. He was hard and throbbing. But he thought she might be throbbing, too. Any time he leaned toward her, she leaned toward him.
Hadn’t Roc all but ordered Halo to put his desires before his duties for once? For the sake of the task.
Could he do it, though?
“Your meal is amazing, Halo. You should try something.” She brandished her fork in his direction, flashing fangs. “But only after I’m done. Mine!”
He’d never reacted to food in such a way. Had never really cared what he ate. Had rarely even chosen his own meal. Most days, he consumed whatever was served to the Astrian army. The soldiers kept beyond the trinite wall that surrounded the palace grounds.
Without thought, he snagged Ophelia’s fork and tasted. Hmm. Not bad. Creamy.
“Hey!” she groused when he shoveled in several more bites. Then she surprised him. She patted his shoulder in encouragement and told the chef, “Halo demands dessert. The Immortal of Immortals gets cranky without his daily dose of sweetness.”
The more he ate, the more his hunger intensified. He cleaned Ophelia’s plate. But it wasn’t enough. He felt like a bottomless pit...and all he wanted was that dessert. Or something even sweeter...
He dropped his gaze to her breasts. Her nipples drew tight beneath her sweater.
Would she give him what he craved?
“Uh, Halo?”
He tried to meet her gaze. He stopped at the trinite collar. Up her throat. Along her jaw. How easy it would be to close his fingers in her hair and keep her where he desired her—where she might desire to be.
Will you be kissing me?
“Halo!”
“What?” he snapped, blinking and lifting his gaze. “I hope there’s a good reason for interrupting my studies.”
“Your studies. Right. Maybe look around at your surroundings once in a while.” She scanned the kitchen, and he mirrored the action.
Well. Another question answered. The rest of the world had frozen again, including the flames that crackled under the pots. He checked the time: 1:02.
Hmm. Halo closed the journal and stood. This freeze had occurred an hour later than the others. Did Erebus lose an hour on the battle clock after every completion of a labor?
Speaking of, there’d be no labor today. With the choker, there was no looming threat to Ophelia, either. Why not obey the Commander? No need to go the whole week. The experiment could begin and end today. Desire before duty.
Would he produce stardust as soon as he got Ophelia into bed? He should find out. Knowledge equaled power.
Halo snagged her and whisked her to her feet. Gasping, she flattened her palms over his pectorals. Her scent strengthened—sweetened.