“I’ve not dated anyone. No one ever really caught my eye.”
I wanted to press the issue because he was lying, but his parents set down the food, which smelled so good. I glanced over the roast, bread, and vegetables. Haden helped me get a plate before his parents both bowed their heads.
“Thanks to the gods for a wonderful life full of health and love,” they said in unison. I stared at them because I did not know that the fae expressed gratitude in this way. My chest was tight with emotion as I watched them. Haden was observing me closely as I took my first bite. Shit, this was good.
“So where did you two meet?” Penelope asked.
Haden looked at me with amusement when I froze.
“Ardella fell, and I helped her.” He had a mischievous glint in his eye. I relaxed slightly when I met his gaze.
“I’m pretty clumsy." I smiled at Haden. “Haden was very nice.”
He watched me as his parents beamed. Why was he staring so much? I raised my eyebrow at him, and he seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in.
“What do you two do for a living?” I asked as I took a bite of everything on the plate. Gods, they were wonderful cooks.
“I’m a healer in the village, and Henry is an artist.” Penelope looked behind me. “All the artwork in here is his.”
I glanced behind me at the paintings of nature and animals. They were so well done that you could hardly tell that it was a painting. I had always wished I was artistic, but I could not do anything of the sort.
“They are beautiful.”
“Thank you. What do you do?” Henry asked.
Shit.
I couldn’t tell them I was a goddess. I hesitated for a moment before the lie blurted from me.
“I am a maid.” I glanced at my plate, feeling guilty for the lie. They didn’t say anything for a moment before Haden filled the silence.
“I am a builder,” he said. “I build houses.”
“You didn’t tell her about your job before?” Henry asked. His friendly eyes filled with confusion as he looked between the two of us.
“No, we just met outside before dinner,” Haden admitted as he took a bite of his food.
My eyes widened. His parents were silent, and I glanced up at them. Haden was grinning at me.
“Don’t worry, Ardella. My parents aren’t judging us. They got married after knowing each other for two days.” He looked at his parents. “Right?”
“When you know, you know.” Penelope smiled as she glanced between the two of us. I relaxed when Haden’s hand rested next to mine on the table.
“We always told our children that sometimes the right thing happens at the exact right moment, and time does not matter.” Henry looked at his wife and gave her a kiss.
I looked at Haden as he studied me closely. I did not know our mating bond would make us feel this way so quickly. I supposeit made sense. The heavens knew we were meant for each other. His eyes drifted over my face and down to my mouth before meeting my eyes again. Something in his eyes made my insides melt with anticipation.
"Everyone told us that we didn't know each other well enough to get married. They said we would regret it. Now look at us." Henry glanced at each one of us. "Although Haden has always been the skeptical one about finding true love."
My gaze snapped to Haden.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes." His eyes filled with a look I didn't know how to decipher. "Don't worry, I think I am changing my mind on the matter."
My eyes widened with how forward he was being. But gods, I liked how confident he was. I turned back to my plate of food and finished. Mikel and I really needed to figure out how to cook better.
As soon as we were done eating, they began clearing the table, and I stood to help.
