My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 419

Lyra

"It's been a while since we've had a crowd," I said. "Nice to have some company."

Nadia smiled at me like it was an inside joke between us, and for a second, I felt a rush of affection for her. Then doubt crept in, a worm burrowing under my skin. She leaned back in her chair, one arm draped over the back of it. Her other hand played absently with a curl of her hair. It reminded me of how she looked when we were alone together, relaxed and easy. But this morning, in this room full of people, she seemed different. Her smile wasn't quite as warm, her laughter a half-beat off. It was a subtle thing, but I knew her well enough to notice.

I started to turn my attention back to the person speaking across from me, Gero or Rennick, I never could tell them apart, when my father spoke up.

"Lyra," he said, and I snapped my gaze to his. "Why don't you give Odile a tour of the castle later? Nadia looks a little down this morning and could use cheering up." I frowned slightly, unsure what to make of his comment. I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary with Nadia.

I nodded, though he turned away before I could make eye contact. To the table at large, he said, "Why don't you three head off on your own for a bit?"

He turned to my mother, who was silently sipping her tea. "Irina, would you like to join them?"

I watched her, expecting her to set her cup down and agree. Instead, she paused a beat too long, her eyes flicking to Odile before she answered, "I'm afraid I'm not feeling well. I think I'll go to bed."

My father didn't press. He just clapped his hands together and said, "Very well. Have fun, my dears. I have some work to attend to."

I tried to muster up a smile and a wave as he turned to leave, but he was already gone. His words had been warm, fatherly, but there was something in his tone that made me feel cold inside.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify