“Enough of the formalities! Let us drink and dance! Tonight is a celebration and I intend to make it so. But first, a prayer and a toast to my daughter.” Everyone bowed their heads in supplication, expecting this show of faith from my father. “Fate, Kaos, Solace. We ask for your guidance and blessings today of all days as Ellowyn Awakens. We ask that you guide her as she walks into her power and keep her safe. Please guide the right person for Ellowyn to step forward tonight, and for us to know what is right. Balance in all things,” he ended the prayer, and the guests murmured the ending back.
“Ellowyn, happy birthday sweetheart,” he concluded and kissed the top of my head before knocking back his drink. There was a loud echoing chorus of “Ellowyn!” before my father said, “Now, let us eat!”
With a clap of his hands, projected into a booming echo by his Air Magic, our servants emerged from a multitude of doors carrying hundreds of trays filled with all sorts of delicious treats. I was glad that my parents decided to forgo the extremely formal multiple-course dinner, as this was more my style. Servants swept from behind our table, placing platters of roasted quail, a creamed soup, and roasted vegetables in gravy. The smell wafting from the cooking made my stomach growl loudly, and I hoped the chatter and clinking of silverware against plates disguised the noise.
Lord d’Refan chuckled softly to my left, which, in turn, caused my cheeks to pink in embarrassment.Damn my pale skin.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him reach for the food scattered about us, and I reflexively did the same.
“Relax, let me serve you,” he said. “If I don’t, a mountain cat might spring from your belly. Though I didn’t know they ventured this far south.”
If I didn’t know better, I would think he was flirting with me.
“Are you flirting with me, Lord d’Refan?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
He chuckled again, a deep rich thing, as he dished a heaping serving of quail and vegetables onto both of our plates. He didn’t skimp on my portion like my mother would have desired, and I appreciated that he recognized that, while I was a woman, I could eat as much as any man. It was a subtle gesture, and one so at odds with the man my parents had described.
I turned to him fully. He began cutting into his quail before answering my question that bordered on an accusation.
“Ellowyn, if I was flirting with you, you would know.”
My cheeks pinked again in further embarrassment. I felt like a child in a room full of adults. I couldn’t even tell when a man was flirting with me.
Dammit for not having any life experiences.
Chagrined, I quietly turned back to my food, delicately cutting into my quail.
“If I was flirting with you, I would say something about how your dress is covering up all of the most interesting parts of your body,” he said offhandedly as he placed a forkful of quail and carrots in his mouth. The General scoffed and unsubtly rolled his eyes.
My fork and knife squeaked across my plate as I jolted at his words. I heard a quiet “Ellowyn!” from my mother but I ignored her chastisement.
A zing of arousal shot through my body at the same moment as a wave of embarrassment.
Why was he saying those things to me?
“Relax, child. You’re too young for either of us,” the General said with an undertone of disdain.
I washardlya child. Just because I was twenty-five and just Awakening didn’t mean that I was achild, for gods’ sake.
I shot my eyes to him, but his stayed glued to the food on his plate. He cut and ate with extreme precision, no movement wasted, as if the meal was simply sustenance and nothing more. I glared at the side of his head, Lord d’Refan continuing his dinner as if nothing had transpired between any of us.
Just as I was about to say something that would inevitably earn me a harsh reprimand from Mother, a soft cough brought my attention back to the floor in front of our table. There stood a relatively handsome, albeit young, man with an older gentleman who I quickly determined was his father. The likeliness in their russet-colored hair and slightly hooked noses was uncanny. I sat my cutlery down in respect, focusing my full attention on the two men.
“Miss Ellowyn,” the older man said in a smooth voice, “I am Lord d’Leocopus of Lishahl, and this is my son, Praetor.” Both men sank into bows, and I inclined my head politely.
“Lord d’Leocopus! We thought you weren’t able to attend!” my father’s voice boomed from next to me.
Lord d’Leocopus inclined his head toward my father before continuing. “We had a slight...change in schedule.” My father grunted a sound of agreement and the group fell silent. Praetor shifted on his feet; his gaze trained firmly on the ground.
“Well,” I said after a minute, “thank you both for attending my birthday and Awakening Ceremony. Your presence is greatly appreciated.” I turned to go back to my dinner, praying that this incredibly awkward exchange was over.
“MissEllowynI’dliketostatemyintentionofbecomingbetrothedtoyou,” Praetor blurted. All his words blended together, and I could barely understand what he said. I frowned and shook my head slightly.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Would you mind repeating yourself?”
Lord d’Refan was shaking with silent laughter to my left and my father and even Peytor seemed to be joining in on his mirth. Praetor’s ears turned a shade of red that almost matched his hair before taking a breath and trying again.
“Miss Ellowyn, I would like to state my intention of becoming betrothed to you,” Praetor finally eked out. He still couldn’t look me in the eye.
