The drive to the restaurant was torture. Lyria had made a point of ignoring Maeve and Terence, while talking about the latest gossip about this or that noble in a horribly loud and high-pitched voice. After ten minutes of this ordeal, Maeve was ready to throw herself on the young blonde woman to silence her. Besides, she was going to do it when Terence stopped her by putting a hand on her arm, and whispering in her ear:
- Calm down Maeve, in a few minutes we'll only be the two of us, and we won't have to put up with her anymore.
She gave him a beaming smile, and took his hand in hers, trying to ignore Gabriel's burning gaze on them. A ball of guilt began to form in her stomach, but she acted as if nothing had happened, and that she was delighted to be there with Terence, and not disappointed that it wasn't the young shapeshifting prince.
Gabriel wanted to jump on Terence, and let his wolf rip the young wizard's face. But he held back, remembering who he was, and where he was. Moreover, Maeve had been perfectly clear: there would never be anything between them, and he had to accept that. But the more he saw them smiling and holding hands, the crazier he became. so he refocused on Lyria, who was still spouting her nonsense, blissfully unaware that everyone was royally ignoring him. Finally, they arrived at the restaurant, and they were able to get out of the car, to the immense relief of Maeve, who was on the verge of ripping out Lyria's tongue. As they headed for the entrance, Lyria dug her stiletto heel into the sentry's robe, tearing it apart.
- Oh Eva, I'm sorry! you will have to change!
Maeve held back her fury, and smiled at her:
- Oh no, precisely, I found her too sober.
taking the hem of her torn dress, she tugged on it, and the dress opened up to the top of her thigh, drawing all eyes to where her soft skin was exposed. Lyria flushed red with anger, and stalked back into the restaurant. Gabriel needed a moment to come out of his trance and no longer be literally paralyzed by all the images that had crossed his mind. She wanted to burst out laughing, but followed Lyria's lead. They were installed at two separate tables not too far apart, so that Maeve could watch her mission out of the corner of her eye. Terence smiled softly at him as he whispered:
- I'm so happy with what's happening, Maeve. I've wanted it for a while now.
Guilt formed another knot, this time in her throat, but she forced herself to smile back.
- You see me delighted!
The dinner went extremely well, much to Maeve's shock, except that he was regularly disturbed by Lyria's forced, high-pitched laughter. When it was time to return to the palace, Terence offered Maeve to spend the night together, which she declined, claiming to have to watch over Gabriel that night. He looked disappointed, but he nodded nonetheless and smiled at her before turning back to his car. Maeve went back to her room, wondering what could be wrong with her. Terence had been a perfect gentleman, gallant, considerate, funny and kind, and not so long ago she wouldn't have hesitated for a second to join him in bed. But that was before . Before Gabriel, before this strange relationship they had. She went to bed, her head full of questions. As she slipped under the covers, she heard the door to Gabriel's room open, and giggles echoed through the room. Slowly, the giggle turned into a moan of pleasure, and Maeve froze: he was not going to dare!? And yet he did . Then, she felt the anger overwhelm her, and made a decision. She got dressed quickly, and jumped out the window, turning into a full jump. She on all fours, her tail flapping in the air. She started to run, and headed straight for Sentinel HQ, where she didn't stop until she found herself outside Terence's door. Once in front, she resumed human form, and knocked on the door, which opened on a scruffy Terence. Before he could say anything, she kissed him, pushing him inside. He protested:
- I thought that ...
She cut him off:
- Shut up and fuck me, please.
He didn't have to tell her twice: he threw her on the bed, and, spreading her legs, he knelt down.