Jael tried not to glare as he stared down at the dining table. Three more Lords had arrived before the first meal, he understood that they were eager but this was a little too much.
"Lady Francine, it is good to see you," Marceline said to the vampire that sat next to her.
"When was the last time we saw each other?" Lady Francine paused mid-meal. She stared blankly at nowhere in particular.
"The funeral," Lady Marceline said.
Lady Francine gasped, "That's a while. Over a decade."
"Yes," Lady Marceline said, nodding slowly.
"You never leave your house," Lady Francine scolded.
"I do, I just try to avoid doing so. Alaric doesn't like to be outside. It is still very difficult for him ever since the incident." She looked towards her mate and squeezed his thigh.
"Sounds like an excuse to me," Jael said before he could stop himself.
