Slade shrugs, not denying it in the least.
“It’s very nice to meet you all,” I tell them with a smile.
“Great Divine, you’re even more beautiful than he described,” Isalee, the older woman, says as she comes forward. Her delicate hands grip mine as she beams at me.
“Described?” I ask, flicking my eyes over at him.
“He said gold was his new favorite color,” she says with a grin. “I can see why.”
My cheeks heat.
“It’s a nice shift from rot brown and mold green,” Barley quips.
A snort escapes me, and then Isalee moves over for Warken to take my hand. “If you get sick of this one, we have two sons,” he tells me with a mischievous sparkle in his eye.
“Father,” Barley says with a roll of her eyes. “You can’t keep trying to marry my brothers off every time you meet someone new.”
Warken sighs. “I’m going to be dead in a grave before any of you have babies.”
“You’re only fifty. You’re fine,” she retorts. “Besides, Dis prefers men most of the time, and he’s always busy at the brewery.”
My eyes widen. “Wait a minute…” I look between them, thoughts clicking into place as I remember something.
My family owns a brewery back in Fourth. But I got off easy. My older brother is named Distill. Unlucky, that. But we’re both a bit jealous of our sister, Barley. She’s got the best name of the lot.
“You’re related to Keg!” I blurt out with excitement. Now that it’s clicked, I can see the family resemblance, though he takes more after his father—I can see it in their eyes.
“You know our son?” Isalee asks, affection clear in her tone.
“When I asked about his name, he said you owned a brewery.” My eyes dart to Keg’s sister. “He said you got the best name out of the three of you.”
They all laugh, Barley smiling with a hint of satisfaction. “That’s because I did.”
“Their father named them,” Isalee says, rolling her eyes but sending a fond smile to her husband.
Warken just rolls back on his heels, completely pleased with himself. “My family has owned the brewery for generations. Thought it would be fitting.”
“You also own the most land in Fourth. And run the most successful spice trade. Plus the bathhouses. And the water mills. Could’ve named us after any of those,” Barley says. “Not that I’m complaining, because I did get the best name.”
He waves her off. “The brewery is my favorite.” Leaning in closer to me, he says, “It’s very lucrative.”
“Wark,” his wife cuts in. “It’s not polite to talk about money.”
My lips tip up. “I’m gold. It’s really fine.”
Warken laughs. “Ah, I like you,” he says, wagging a finger at me. “So, tell me, how is our Keg doing? Did you know he was supposed to come into politics with the rest of the family?”
“Yes, and he didn’t. He was the smart one of the bunch,” Barley says dryly.
Warken cuts a thumb over to Slade. “He joined this man’s army instead, deciding that instead of making power plays and writing up delegations, he’d rather cook.”
“Well…his slop was very good,” I joke. “Best cook in the army, if you ask me.”
“So you two met properly?” Isalee asks.
I nod. “Yes. He was very nice to me, right from the start. And he fed me, so he was an instant favorite.”
“Well, let’s get you fed with us too,” she replies warmly. “We have some things to tide us over before the dinner formally starts.” Her dark eyes shift to Slade. “And we should speak before Third’s advisor arrives.”
All of us go to the table, where Slade pulls out a chair for me right beside him. Warken, Isalee, and Barley all sit across from us, leaving the seat at the head of the table open.
“Shouldn’t you be sitting there?” I say to Slade as he takes a seat beside me.
“I’d much rather sit next to you,” he says with a wink.
“He also likes to play mind games,” Warken chuckles. “Placing Manu there is a good way to do something unexpected and put him on the spot a bit more.”
The table is a thick slab of wood, so dark it’s nearly black, the edges left raw, showing off the grains and irregular trim. There are already small plates laid out, along with polished silverware and wooden goblets, and Slade quickly serves me some fresh bread and wine before serving himself.