Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

he put the cheese down he made a joke about being scared to get

his fingers too close to Helen?s mouth.

?You?re one to talk,? Pandora grumbled. ?Just two weeks ago I

had to count the silverware after every meal to make sure you

hadn?t swallowed any of it.?

?You were healing two weeks ago?? Helen asked, and then remembered

that Hector and Pandora had arrived later than the rest

of the family.

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So much had happened in just a few weeks that Helen felt like

every day had telescoped out into a week in itself. As she marveled

at how much her life had changed, she noticed that a silence had

fallen over the kitchen. Apparently, Helen had stumbled on to a

touchy subject because everyone was exchanging nervous glances

over her head.

?Sorry. I don?t mean to intrude,? Helen amended quickly.

?No, it?s fine. It?s just that Hector?s recent heal is part of

something much bigger,? Noel said. ?Right now, you eat.?

At first she felt the lingering reticence of a new guest, but as soon

as the lentil stew was put down in front of her, Helen?s whole being

was lost in a flavor blur. She was vaguely aware of other people

pulling up chairs or standing around by the stove while they tasted

this or that, got themselves a plate, or just hung out to talk, but she

was far too focused on the ever-changing dishes in front of her to

pick individuals out of the crowd. Noel kept the food coming. A few

times, Helen was aware of Cassandra shuttling trays up and down

the stairs, but it didn?t sink in that those were for Lucas until Helen

was falling asleep over something sweet and nutty made out of

dough.

?Ready for ice cream?? Noel asked her, absentmindedly pushing