The dining room was already abuzz with pleasant chatter when I entered with Danny and Lucius at my sides. We were presenting a united front, one that did not include a Pegasus no matter how much my son insisted he should be entitled to dine with us. The horse hadn't been too keen to be parted from his new friend either but we weren't ready to announce to the world that Danny had a Pegasus. As a result it was just the three of us in coordinating outfits so that we looked like we belonged together.

The diners soon fell silent as they noticed our entrance, standing from their seats as they watched us pass. Lucius led our little family to the table, pulling out a chair and helping Danny up on to his seat before pulling out the one beside it. I slipped past him, smiling when he picked up my hand and placed a chaste kiss on the back of my hand as I sat down beside my son.

Finally, with as much fanfare as he could muster, Lucius took a seat while nodding at the rest of the guests to do the same.

Talk started almost instantly as waiters appeared with trays laden with steaming plates of food. My stomach rumbled loudly within the room. The picnic lunch had only taken the edge off of my hunger. Still, despite how much I just wanted to dig straight in and inhale my food like a pig, I took the knife and fork and delicately cut the chicken into small bitesize pieces.

Castiel had been seated on the opposite me, the young healer by his side. I almost didn't recognise her. Her hair had been let loose and hung about her face in soft curls. Makeup had been applied to her face to emphasise her beauty and she had even donned a soft pink dress. It was as if she was showing the woman behind the healer façade for the first time. Her hands kept tugging at her dress and playing with her hair, her eyes darting around at the other guests before she stuffed all of her uncertainty back behind the healer's mask.

Catching her gaze, I smiled at her. "Thank you for coming to dinner this evening. We appreciate all of the help you gave us."

At my words, several sets of eyes looked upon the young woman with interest but quickly returned to their own conversations. The young demon blushed at the attention suddenly bestowed upon her. "Thank you milady." She murmured, her cheeks flushing red even through the makeup coating her skin.

"And don't worry so much. I know it's a change from your work clothes, but you look beautiful this evening. That colour compliments you well." I stated in a low voice so that the entire table wouldn't overhear out conversation. Castiel hadn't been able to take his gaze off of her. He kept shooting glances at the young demon beside him before looking away again. "Castiel agrees with me, don't you Castiel."

The dark haired man spluttered and choked on his mouthful of food before he swallowed. Finally he croaked out, "What?"

"I said you agree with me that the woman beside you is looking beautiful tonight."

Castiel, having regained his composure, looked everywhere except at the woman beside him as he said gruffly, "Yes, she looks very beautiful."

The healer ducked her head, her blush spreading to the skin of her arms. I didn't even know a woman could blush that much. She finally glanced up at Cass through her lashes, offering him a timid smile which was so unlike the stern healer who ordered everyone to follow her orders.

"Thank you, sir."

Clearing his throat and tugging at the tie on his neck, Cass glanced back at the woman. "There's no need to be so formal. You've seen me at my worst; you do not need to keep to protocol."

"Okay... Castiel."

I pressed my lips together as the pair continued to sneak glances at one another while attempting to be covert about it. They were going to happen soon. There was no denying it. The connection between them had been forged in a time of great need but both were too stubborn to give in. Something was holding them back but until they let it go, nothing would happen between them. I hated to meddle in other people's lives, but Castiel deserved to have happiness. A gentle nudge in the right direction wouldn't hurt anyone.

"Now that that's settled," I said blandly. "I was wondering if the pair of you could work together to try and identify the cause of Lucius's illness. Maybe you can spot something with your expert eyes that we have not yet been able to find. Castiel can arrange a convenient time to look over the texts with you?"

"Of course, Savannah." Castiel stated, his eyes narrowing in my direction.

Attempting the innocent act, I smile serenely. I probably came off looking a little constipated if Castiel's reaction was anything to go by. "Thank you Castiel, hopefully with your combined efforts we can come up with some answers a lot sooner."

"I thought you were supposed to be resting your voice." Castiel replied, his eyes flitting to my neck for a moment.

My hand rose and tugged at the collar of my dress as memories flitted to the front of my mind. I flinched, a gasp escaping my lips. Now that he had brought attention to the injuries I had been ignoring so well, my throat gave a tender throb in reminder of the abuse it had suffered.

Still, I smiled as If everything was perfectly okay. "It's been feeling much better. Thank you for your concern."

With that said, I refocused my attentions on the plate before me. It took a lot of effort not to watch the pair as they started to converse with one another, their faces becoming animated as they became more involved with the discussion. The little I understood about body language told me they were interested in one another.

When the plates were taken away after the first course, I glanced down at Danny but he was happily chatting with Lucius. The two of them were no doubt plotting some kind of mischief. I shook my head and turned to the person sat directly beside me. I felt rude for ignoring her so far – especially because she had been the one who had first told me of Lucius's disappearance.

"Hi," I greeted, nodding my head at the striking young woman at my side. "I believe we have met before. You are one of the guards?"

The instant I spoke I knew it was a stupid question. It didn't take a genius to figure out she was no housewife. Instead of dresses and frippery, the woman was decked in a black solid black uniform, a blade hanging ornately from her hip. Still, the woman nodded her head stiffly, her eyes widening at the direct address.

"Yes, milady." She replied stiffly. "I am one of the junior guards."

I nodded my head, swallowing another bite of my rapidly cooling food before asking, "And your name is?"

"Sonakshi."

"It's a beautiful name." I stated, smiling with the woman's cheeks coloured. Allowing the small to drop away, I turned in my seat to face the woman fully. "You were the one who brought us the news. You saved Lucius's life."

At my words, Sonakshi turned her head away as she squirmed uncomfortably within her seat. A frown flittered across my face at her actions. Placing my knife and fork down, I gave the woman my full attention.

"Don't try and deny it. I am fully aware that had we found Lucius any later, we might have been facing a completely different situation. A situation in which the man I love is dead. As it is, he is here and I have you to thank for that. So thank you and please know that I will always be grateful to you."

The young warrior shifted within her seat, her eyes darting away as if she was looking for an escape. She was another female demon unused to praise. We would definitely have to change something about that. Within days I had met two strong women who just didn't know their own worth.

"I was just doing my duty." The guard stated stiffly.

Repressing the urge to sigh, I finally picked up my knife and fork. "Well, thank you anyway."

Again Sonakshi gave another stiff nod in reluctant acceptance of my praise before she turned her attention to her own dinner plate. Understanding the signal for what it was, I allowed my eyes to stray. Lucius caught my gaze, his blue eyes flashing with desire as they slowly trailed down my body in a thorough heated look which caused me to shift uncomfortably within my seat. I bit my lip and fought the flush in my cheeks. It was ridiculous. As soon as he winked, my cheeks flushed red and I cursed my inability to fight my body's girlish reactions to Lucius Satani. It felt like I was experiencing my first crush all over again. It all felt so new and exciting.

Taking a deep breath, I scowled at him. Lucius threw back his head and let out a loud booming laugh which drew lots of attention to us. Aware that I was still sporting a red flush on my cheeks, I glared at him and focused on my plate only to find it empty. A deep furrow formed between my brows but I refused to look up, instead setting my cutlery delicately down upon my plate and then reaching for the wine glass. Maybe a sip or two would take the edge off. I hated being this restless and uncomfortable.

As the plates were being cleared away, I noted one the guards has approached Lucius. Though both men kept their faces placid, they whispered to one other urgently. I cocked my head to the side and attempted to lip read but I highly doubted they were talking about the cabaret. In an attempt to be covert, I picked up a napkin and wiped at Danny's chin to remove the gravy, glancing at Lucius and attempting to catch his eye.

He waved off the guard. Frowning for just a second, Lucius tapped his finger on his chin while the other man clicked his heels together once before strolling to a seat at the end of the table as if he had not a care in the world. I willed Lucius to look up before he was lost in his own thoughts.

Unable to stand the anticipation, I stretched out a hand and smacked him on the arm. His head snapped up, his blue eyes narrowing for a few seconds before he relaxed and allowed a smile to form on his lips. He didn't appear worried, if not for the slight tick to his jaw.

Glancing around to make sure no one was listening, I briefly met the stare of the young healer before focusing everything on Lucius. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing serious. It just appears our secrets will be revealed much too early. Danny forgot to shut the door to the rooms and our little Pegasus went for a little walk. He's been contained for now but not before he was seen by several of the staff."

I nodded my head before frowning. "But Danny wasn't the last one out, Lucius. You were."

Lucius scratched at his jaw. "Are you sure?" He shook his head before offering me a smile that was thoroughly distracting. "Sorry, I forgot. It's been a long day."

I reached across the space between us and squeezed his hand. "I understand. Let's get through this dinner and we'll deal with this new situation tomorrow. We have a lot to deal with and now is definitely not the time to deal with it."

"See, this exactly why you're becoming my wife. You're the smart one."

I laughed and pulled my hand away. "I know you were only teasing but I am taking that as a compliment."

"Take it as you will." Lucius lifted his head, his eyes following the path of the waiting staff as they approached. He licked his lips as a plate was set before him. I felt my stomach grumble in want at the sight of the rich chocolate cake smothered in cream. "Okay, enough talking, dessert is here."

Shaking my head, I picked up my own spoon and dug into the dessert that was set before me.

There were still many things we didn't know and truths which needed to be uncovered. Yet we were surrounded by people we could trust and, with all of the troubles lingering in the shadows, it was all I could ask for.