Fen jumps out of the boat and offers me his hand. It's warm, strong, and I don't want to let go once I'm out. He doesn't seem to want to either, because we hold hands for several moments longer than necessary before someone bumps into us on the docks.
"Sorry about that!" The man laughs with his buddies and drunkenly saunters off in search of something else to entertain him.
"I take it Zeb is the Prince of Gluttony?"
"He is. And he provides the bulk of the food for our kingdom. Come, let's get you fed and get home."
I stay close to him as we walk through the town. It's crowded with finely dressed people who all look ready to party. Fen seems to know where he's going and leads us through winding streets up the mountain until my legs burn and I'm hungrier than ever. Finally we reach a tavern that doesn't look like much, but the smells emanating from it make my stomach rumble again.
When Fen walks in, the noise and chatter of the place dies down and they all turn to stare. It seems the Prince of War is recognizable on sight.
A woman with an apron tied around her waist approaches Fen, her painted lips bright and her eyes dropping to admire all aspects of Fenris. "My Prince, it's so good to see you. How might I serve you this evening?"
The woman doesn't even look at me. I might as well be invisible. She is ogling the prince so blatantly I'm almost embarrassed for her, except he doesn't seem to notice. "A table for two, Dora. And please let my brother know we're here."
She nods, golden ringlets of hair falling into her tan face. "Two?"
Fen puts an arm around my shoulder. The weight of it throws me off balance and I stiffen my back to remain standing straight. Baron stands between our legs, seeming to enjoy our proximity.
Dora frowns. "Of course. Let me find you a table."
"A private table," Fen says.
"A private table, then."
She escorts us to the back of the tavern, and as we disappear into shadows, the laughter and banter starts up again. We end up at a booth removed from the main dining area, tucked into a corner with candlelight and nothing else. I slide into one side and Fen sits opposite me. Baron crawls under the table and lies on top of our feet.
"Do they have menus or...?" I have no idea how demon taverns work.
"Not usually. I'll order for you." I'm about to protest, but he holds up a hand. "If that's okay?"
"Uh, sure. Nothing too spicy, though."
Dora comes back with large mugs of red liquid and places one before each of us. "Do you know what you'd like?" she asks.
"Two falafels, a greek salad, pita bread with hummus, and a chicken breast for Baron."
I raise an eyebrow at him. "So it doesn't just look like Greece then? Is this a replica or something?"
"Many of our foods and cultures are inspired by your world, mixed with new elements that are unique to us. It's technology we can't copy." He sips his red drink. "My people come from another world entirely, but we were cast out and banished here. We've worked hard to create a new kind of world, one where we are as free as we can be under the constraints of the curses placed on us."
"Is everyone here a vampire?" I ask.
"No. But many are. Some might look more monstrous because of their particular charms."
"Like the dungeon demon," I say.
Fen smiles. "Like him, yes. There's also a heavy population of Fae here. Many are Shades... mixed bloods, the byproduct of a Fae and vampire union."
"Aren't Shades like spirits or ghosts?"
He shrugs. "Mixed bloods have some freedoms, because of their vampire blood, but they are still under many restrictions, particularly in regards to their use of magic. They have little rights. They live in hell. What are they if not Shades?" He drinks again. "Then there are full Fae, Outlanders who are now slaves to their vampire masters here."
"That's awful."
"It's better than the alternative," he says, taking a drink from his glass.
"What's the alternative?"
"Execution."
I sniff at my drink. It's sweet, so I take a sip. A cascade of flavors washes over my tongue, first sweet, then a bit tangy, then sour. The aftertaste returns to sweet, and I feel an instant lightness in my body as my blood warms. "Is this alcoholic?"
He grins. "Not the way you're thinking, but it will have a similar effect. Drink cautiously."
It's so good I can't help but take another drink.
Dora brings us food and it looks as good as it smells. I dig in, eating voraciously. I didn't realize how hungry I truly was until now.
"It seems we've been starving you," Fen says.
"I just haven't eaten much since my mom got sick," I say between bites. "It seems my appetite is coming back with a vengeance."
I eat everything on my plate and then finish Fen's falafel, before I'm finally satisfied. Dora brings us a plate of little balls of deep fried pastry dough soaked in honey syrup and cinnamon.
"These are loukoumades," Fen says, picking one up and popping it into his mouth. "You'll like them."
He's right. The sweet, flaky treats practically melt in my mouth and I devour them quickly.
As I lick the last of the honey off my fingers, a man approaches us, and Fen rises to greet him. Baron shifts at our feet, a very low growl in his throat.
"Fen! It's good to see you. And you brought the girl. Oh my!"