For a moment Chloe thought she’d misheard him. The restaurant’s murmur, the soft piano, the quiet clinking of glasses, it was all too civilized, too perfect. Surely, he couldn’t have just said that.

Her heart kicked against her ribs, her fork slipping slightly against the porcelain plate. She looked up at him, her lips parting soundlessly.

Did he just…? Why would he ask me that? Here?

Valerius leaned back in his chair, expression maddeningly calm, as though he’d merely commented ...