Where didthatvoice come from?
A peek out the side of my eye at Peytor told me that he had heard it, too, and was trying to contain his laughter.
“The pleasure is all mine, Ellowyn.” He reached down for my hand, placing a soft lingering kiss on the back of it, all while maintaining eye contact.
The room was silent except for the occasional ruffle of clothing as someone shifted on their feet. He maintained eye contact for far longer than was proper or necessary, and I eventually broke his stare, looking down at the floor as my cheeks pinked. Lord d’Refan eventually released my hand and I felt like I could breathe for the first time all morning once he walked away from me.
His presence was heady and the power that circled him was simultaneously intoxicating and suffocating.
I gulped in air as quietly as I could as I glanced at my brother. He was staring intently at me, like I was a puzzle he was trying to figure out. I cocked my head and raised a brow quizzically, but he shook his head and smiled before turning back to whatever Lord d’Refan was saying.
The raucous sound of male laughter permeated the space as I stood frozen on the spot.
What just happened?
My gaze found Lord d’Refan’s again, and I swear I saw a hint of curiosity in his coal-black eyes before they refocused somewhere else.
The soft sound of a throat clearing broke through their conversations and all eyes were drawn again to the man who first entered the room. He stood silent against the wall, appearing as if he wanted to simply blend in with his surroundings, but a man like him could never simply blend in.
“My lord, we should discuss the plan for tonight’s . . . party.” His words were clipped.
Lord d’Refan turned to the other man with a barked laugh.
“May I introduce my second-in-command and the General of my armies, Rohak d’Alvey.” He gestured to the man pressed against the wall.
His General is his second-in-command?
It seemed like an odd choice, but considering Lord d’Refan was unsavorily referred to as “the Warlord,” perhaps the choice wasn’t so abnormal.
The General stood unmoving against the wall, and the only indication he gave that he even heard Lord d’Refan was a slight inclination of his head toward the group of men, completely ignoring both my mother and I, who still stood nearest the fireplace.
“Please don’t mind him, he doesn’t play well with others.” Lord d’Refan set his hand back against his side with a smile that stretched across his face to his eyes, showing both laugh and worry lines.
How old is he?I wondered. He definitely wasn’t as old as my parents, but he wasn’t near mine and Peytor’s age, either.
“But he is right, we should use this morning to discuss a variety of things, including tonight’s party.” His eyes found mine again for a moment before zooming off and around.
Goddess, that was unnerving.
“Yes, yes! We should definitely use this unexpected time to its fullest. If you don’t mind, I’ll have my son as well as Matteo and Finian attend our conversation. They need the experience if they’re to fill their fathers’ roles at some point,” my father said.
“Hopefully much later in life,” my mother added quietly.
“Acantha, Ellowyn, will you please inform Max that we will require a variety of refreshments for our guests?” My father’s dismissal was subtle but unmistakable.
“Of course,” my mother said as she swept into a graceful curtsy. I quickly followed suit. “Lord d’Refan, General d’Alvey,” she said as she rose, “thank you for gracing us with your presence for Ellowyn’s Awakening. We are looking forward to seeing you this evening.”
“Oh, we’ll see you much before then,” Lord d’Refan assured as he poured himself a generous helping of Father’s whiskey. My mother stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. He swirled his glass before taking a sip. “Iheard that Ellowyn will be receiving suitors this evening. I think both General d’Alvey and I would be interested in seeing who presents themselves as a potential alliance with one of my territories.” His eyes never left my mother’s as he took another generous sip of the whiskey.
“As you wish, my lord.” She inclined her head again before grabbing my arm tightly.
“Ellowyn.” His words stopped both of us short again. “I look forward to seeing you later.” His words were for everyone to hear, but they felt private as they rushed over my skin.
I turned to face him before curtsying shallowly again. “As do I, my lord.”
With that, Lord d’Refan turned back to the men in the room, who were already positioned around the table at the back of the parlor, ready and poised to take their seats as soon as Lord d’Refan took his own.
Effectively dismissed, my mother rushed me from the room, quickly relaying my father’s request to Max as we exited.
