My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 417

Lyra

"We should eat," Odile said, already sliding into the chair beside me.

Father cleared his throat behind me. "Lyra, is that any way to greet your old man?"

I winced at his deliberately fatherly tone. My mood soured. I turned to see him flashing that same annoying, knowing smile. "What, you can't even spare a hello for your favorite parent? Surely you can't hate me that much."

A laugh bubbled up in my throat, bitter and sharp. I swallowed it down with a tight mouth. No use getting dramatic in front of strangers. I crossed to him with measured steps, sank into a shallow curtsy. "My king."

"Better," he said, cupping my elbow, pulling me up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm famished."

I watched him for a moment, trying not to stare too long. It still didn't feel right, having him here, surrounded by the warmth of this makeshift family. I turned to my mother, who hadn't looked up once since I entered.

"Mother?" I called.

No response. She shoveled food into her mouth with single-minded focus. I tried again, louder. "Mother?"

Still nothing. She ate with the fervor of one who had been starved for a week. Father glanced over at us, his brow furrowed. "Irina, your daughter is calling you."

Mother finally looked up, blinking owlishly. For a moment, there was only confusion in her pale eyes. Then she laughed breathlessly, swallowing. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I'm just... completely famished. That ride was exhausting."

I stared at her, my mouth dry. Everything about this felt strange, off, but I had no time to actually sit with that feeling. Odile was already guiding me to a seat.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify