Page 10 (2/2)

Elle shifted in her chair, alone with Severin and only the barest light--for Severin’s hulking body blocked ht fronored her

Elle looked around the roos The roo silence orse, even, then the lack of sound in Elle’s roonore her presence

Elle shamelessly stared at Severin She hadn’t met him, or even seen him, in spite of all her trips to the palace in Noyers

Elle frowned as her eyes traced his beastly body He was frightening by the sheer nature of his features White teeth poked past the lips of his massive feline head His feet and hands were fitted with claws that could rip a man apart His cursed appearance very accurately reflected his personality He was, after all, a predator

Severin looked up, but not to notice Elle He stared at the door, which creaked openbeeswax candles, which they set around the peri it

Crystal chandeliers in the ceiling caught the flickering flaht off mirrors fixed on the walls

After the housemaids came the kitchen maids--all masked and silent They carried trays and trays of food--more than Severin and Elle could possibly eat

"Eiven you all the impression that I possess a ravenous appetite," Elle said as a kitchendown in front of Elle while another maid poured wine in her cup and served tea "No harht"

When the maids finished they left as silently as they arrived

Elle shifted her gaze from the sea of food to Severin

Severin folded up his papers and put them in a waterproof case He wordlessly took his elaborately folded cloth napkin, shook it out, and set it on his lap before he began serving hi a scoopful of hash, snow crea, and cheeses