Kill Them

"I did not come here to eat!"

These seven words shattered Byron's confidence. His mind started imagining the worst case scenarios.

Had Hippolyta been the one manipulating him all this while? Playing ignorant and scared and infatuated so she could give him false hopes? Make him embarrass himself?

Fortunately, she added, "But if it's you offering it, why not join you? A bite or two won't hurt, will it?"

There was a smile on her face. Not a sly one. Byron figured he had been the one who imagined the part where it was sly. She was being genuine all along.

Secretly letting out a sigh of relief, Byron gestured for the exit. "Uh, let's go then."

Hippolyta slid her sword back into its sheath and then walked toward the exit, her girls trailing after her.

"You're a genius!" Penthesilea, who had risen from her throne, whispered into Byron's ears.

He smiled at her as Alcippe joined them, her thumbs congratulating him.