As the evening wore on, the wine flowed and the dishes kept coming: delicate cuts of meat, roasted vegetables and pastries filled with rich cream and sweet, spiced fruit.
Brandon leaned back in his chair, his black tuxedo relaxing slightly as he looked at the spread of food on the table.
"Brandon..." Naevora muttered as she picked up a delicate roll of smoked cheese wrapped in leaf with its surface glistening with a drizzle of honey.
"Try this." She held it out to him, her fingers hovering close to his lips.
"It's got a kick you might actually like. Unless you're too fancy for it now, Lord Herald."
Brandon smiled dryly and leaned forward, accepting the bite directly from her fingers, his teeth grazing the edge of the roll.
The smoky cheese melted on his tongue, mingling with the sweet honey and a hint of spice, and he chewed slowly, savoring the flavor.
"That was good."
She nodded her head and they continued eating.
