My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 23

Nicholas

“Hungry, Apphia? It’s thirty minutes past 6, and you normally eat at this time.”

We enter the VIP suite, and I help her out of her coat. “I’ve ordered your favorite meal, creamy Tuscan salmon.”

“I’m not hungry,” she sighs and sits on the couch, briefly closing her eyes.

“Your poor eating habits are not good for you, Apphia. You need to eat,” She’s already so thin and fragile, like she could break.

“You seem to know more about my eating habits, given this is the second time you are visiting me,” she sounds a bit bitter. I stare at her and sit beside her.

Are you upset that I haven’t been here sooner?” I ask, humor dancing in my eyes. She turns her face

away,

“I wish you often visited,” she murmurs.

“I will,” I promise.

Our eyes lock, and I have to tame my Lycan by pulling her onto my lap and kissing her. I feel her heart pounding. Even though she doesn’t feel a mate bond, I obviously affect her. We break eye contact when someone knocks on the door. It is the chef.

He opens the door and pushes in a two–tier wooden cart. The chef bows his head politely and exits the

room.

“You’re eating,”

“But that’s so much,” she complains. I give her a stern look, and she sighs, conceding.

I first serve her popcorn shrimp with a dipping sauce. She frowns as she inspects it.

‘It’s popcorn shrimp; it’s nice. Try it,” I encourage. Apphia tries one hesitantly, chewing slowly to savor

the taste. Her eyes widen in delight, and she stares at me, nodding. I beam as she eats another.

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Are you not eating?”

“No, I’m fine. You enjoy it,”

I give her the creamy Tuscan salmon and asparagus when she’s finished eating her appetizers.

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Has this always been your favorite meal?” I ask.

Yes, but I hadn’t eaten it in ten years until Lily brought it for me the other day. I felt nostalgic and almost cried while eating,”

“Why haven’t you eaten your favorite meal in ten years?”

‘My mother used to make it for me, but she died,” she looks somber, dropping her fork. I regret asking.

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Chapter 23

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Nonetheless, I still have many questions about her. I want to know about her, but I will not press for now.

“I’m sorry, Apphia,”

“It’s alright,” she murmurs, putting the plate on the tray. At least she had enough.

“Would you like some dessert?”

“No, I’m stuffed, thank you,” she says. However, she’s melancholic. Dessert always makes one feel better. I grab a small plate and cut a piece of Key lime pie for her.

“Key lime pie will make you feel better. According to my grandmother, dessert solves everything and puts one in great spirits,” I insist. My mate stares at me briefly and then slowly nods. She grabs her fork and takes a bite.

“It’s delicious. I’ve never had key lime pie before,” she says, putting the plate away.

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“You can have it anytime you want,” I tell her.

I keep looking at her, still enchanted by her, even though I spent every night she was in a coma here. There is a long, comfortable silence between us. Even the voices in my head are silent. I’m not used to this. The quiet in my head is such a strange sensation.

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