Shadowburn (2)

Chapter 50

It was the best food he had ever tasted in his entire life -- ignoring the fact that he'd been dead for ten years. Raiden had taken the position at the head of the table in Andreas' absence, and Casian wanted to elect that position to him for the rest of their stay. Especially if he agreed to continue cooking for them.

Gods, it was like heaven in his mouth. The older elf apparently felt like they needed something sweet, and Casian agreed, it was a brilliant decision. Kalen was just happy that Raiden had offered to cook.

Casian picked up his sixth square donut and took a bite out of the flaky sweet bread. It was covered in sugar, making it super sweet, but oh so good. He dipped it into the chocolate sauce before taking his next bite, not even caring that the sugar got everywhere.

Kalen was sitting opposite him, enjoying the meal just as much as Casian was. Who would have thought that the atmosphere in the house would be so relaxed without Scott, Sin, Thorn, Caelei and Lana around? They should leave more often.

"This is absolutely divine," Kalen commented appreciatively before taking a sip of the chocolate wine Raiden also provided.

He was absolutely right. It was absolutely divine. The others should stay out for longer. Much longer.

Okay, so perhaps Casian was still upset with both Scott and Thorn.

Raiden shrugged at Kalen's comment and took a bite of a donut himself. "It ought to be."

Casian arched a brow at him. "Oh? And why is that exactly?"

"I learned it from a goddess of food," he said casually.

Kalen sighed. "We are going to be introduced to a lot of gods and goddesses now, aren't we?" He said it like the concept wasn't appealing.

"Why would that be a problem?" Casian asked, his brows furrowed. "Why would that even happen?" He turned to Raiden. "And how do you even know a goddess? I mean, I have met a few gods... but in my defense, I was dead for ten years."

Raiden arched a brow. "I met her. How else does one come to know another person?"

Casian sighed heavily. He turned back to Kalen. "You haven't answered my question, kid."

Kalen also arched a brow at him, almost as if insinuating that he was being stupid, or as if he was aware of something Casian wasn't. Casian frowned at him and gestured for him to speak.

Kalen sighed. "Call it a hunch."

Raiden looked over at Kalen with faint amusement. "As I thought," he said. "You can sense my power level, can't you?"

Kalen grinned wryly. "Why yes, I can. And I find it all very amusing."

"As do I," Raiden agreed and ate another donut.

Casian blinked at the two of them. "What am I missing?"

"The world as it spins by you," Kalen answered, also eating another donut.

Raiden saluted him with a bottle of wine -- each of them having one of their own. "You, boy, may call me Den."

Kalen returned the salute with a grin. "Thanks?"

Casian watched them both warily. "I don't know what just happened."

"My point exactly," Kalen replied, still grinning as he took a drink from his bottle.

Casian frowned at them, petting Ember's head where the little dragon was perched on his shoulders. "Do I get to call you Den?" He asked, tilting his head at Raiden.