That was all the encouragement it took for applause to start spreading through the crowd, growing steadily louder until all the fae were clapping and cheering. Many had expressions of confusion, just as much as delight. Jerah gestured for him to stand, so nervously Florian got to his feet and waved out at the crowd, a few more cheers rising as he did.
“Um, thank you,” he called out, still embarrassed, but heartened at how easily their uncertainty had turned to happiness. “Thank you!”
“A toast!” Jerah called out, and a resounding whoop answered him, along with the clinking of many glasses. “To my son, the prince, long may he live!”
“Long live the king! Long live the prince!” many voices answered, quieting as everyone drank deeply from their various glasses and mugs. Florian took a polite, nervous sip of his own wine, and Kade met his eyes over his own glass. He hid his expression behind his drink, but Florian could see an unmistakable grin crinkling the corner of his eyes; and he grinned back at the other man.
The music started back up again after that, and cheerful chatter among the crowd soon joined it as the next round of food was brought out. As they sat back down, Jerah reached over and put a hand on Florian's shoulder, smiling at him. The way he had grinned out at the crowd was more confident, almost regal—this small smile he gave to Florian was much softer, more intimate, more familial.
“I'm very proud of you,” he said quietly, squeezing Florian's shoulder. He wasn't sure what to say, so he only nodded in response. “And I love you. I hope you know that.”
“I know,” Florian replied, glancing down at his drink again, embarrassed. He wasn't sure if he would ever get used to having a father like this. August had raised him, but he had never tried to be his dad—had always made sure Florian knew that he could never replace his dad. Now Jerah was in his life and wanted to be his father, and Florian had no idea how to act around him... But maybe it would get easier with time.
“Well, I'm going to go around and chat,” Jerah continued, seeming to sense his uncertainty. “I'm sure some of the fae folk would love the chance to speak with you too, but no pressure.” Florian nodded, and with one last squeeze of his shoulder, Jerah stepped away toward the closest table, where voices and cheers erupted as he drew close to the group with a raucous laugh.
“You did very well, Florian,” Tatiana said gently next to him, and he smiled gratefully over at her.
“Thanks,” he said. “I didn't really know what to do.”
“You did just fine,” she affirmed with a nod. “They don't know you yet, so just acting as a figurehead is good for now. Once they get to know you, I'm sure they'll love you, just like we do. And knowing what you're working toward, that will give them a lot of hope.”
He laughed nervously at that, the idea utterly foreign. He didn’t know any of these people, couldn’t imagine them loving him or even looking up to him.
“I hope so,” he said, not sure of what else to say. Her gaze lingered on him, and for a moment she looked just like Jerah did the other day, when Florian had been so sure that there was more he wanted to say but didn't. He had never thought they looked especially alike, but this expression was one that they definitely shared.
“I think I'll go make my rounds, too,” she finally said, winking at him. She stood and walked toward the crowd, waving and calling out to someone as she did.
Then it was just him and Kade at the head table. Florian glanced over at him: he was a bit slouched in his chair, looking out at the crowd with the wine glass still in his hand, swirling it absentmindedly. But when Florian's eyes landed on him, he seemed to snap to attention, his spine straightening, and his eyes flickering over to him. But he did not turn his head right away, as if waiting to see if Florian would speak first.
It was impossible to be sneaky at the head table, but he still tried to be as surreptitious as possible as he slid over into Jerah's chair so he and Kade could sit next to each other. By the time he settled into the bigger chair, Kade had shifted his weight to face Florian, meeting his eyes evenly.
“Hey,” Florian said, grinning nervously at him. When he looked at Kade, the nerves that started bubbling in his stomach felt entirely different from the tension that had been clinging to him since the start of the feast—this sort of nervousness almost felt good compared to the sick worry that had so preoccupied him before. “Thanks for... This, you know.” He gestured, and Kade smiled. He must have had more to drink than Florian had thought, because the smile spread easily across his face—far different from the usual tiny hints of a grin that were the most expressive he ever seemed to get.
“You're welcome,” Kade said, nodding.
“And, um, sorry,” Florian continued. “For earlier.”
Kade chuckled and looked back down at the wine in his hand, swirling it over and over. “No need to apologize. You couldn't have known,” he said, then glanced over at Florian again as he added, “It was probably for the best, anyway. Not like there would be much time for that once we're out of the Winter Court.”
That was certainly true. Florian had never seen the Nova Blight for himself, but from what he had heard, it didn't seem like it was going to be a pleasant trip. And Jerah would be traveling with them, so they were unlikely to get that kind of alone time at any point, not until they got back from their first mission. Florian couldn't stop his nose from wrinkling at the thought. Maybe that all had been for the best after all.
“Yeah, you're probably right,” he agreed, taking a gulp of his own drink before asking, “You've been in the Nova Blight before, right?”
Kade's light expression darkened noticeably at that. “Yes,” he said, looking back down at his drink once again. “It's... difficult. Jerah's magic, fae magic, can block out a lot of the heat, but we'll need to stay close for it to work. And it doesn't get dark at night, so... Making camp is painstaking.”
“Yeah, doesn't sound like a good time,” Florian agreed with a nervous laugh. Kade didn't look up this time, but gave a deep sigh.
“It's going to be difficult,” he repeated. “But I promise I'll keep you safe. You and Jerah both.”
“I know,” Florian said, nodding. “I know you will. So... Thank you. I don't know what we'd do without you, really.” He felt awkward saying it, but the thoughts had been weighing on his mind more often as of late. “And... Thanks for being there for Jerah, for my dad. I think that, um... I think that all this is a lot harder on him than he lets people see. I'm glad he has someone so loyal to him. I don't know if he's ever said it outright to you, but I'm sure he appreciates everything you've done.”
A small grin had returned to Kade's lips as he said it.
“I know,” he replied softly, nodding. “But that's nice of you to say. I... It's been good for me to be here, too. Gives me purpose. And he's been very kind to me. He's not my dad, but he's treated me like a son in a lot of ways.” His grin turned into a smirk as he looked over at Florian. “I think he was practicing for when you got here.”
Florian laughed at that, shaking his head. “Not even. He'd be a lot better at it if he had practiced.”
They both chuckled at that, and Kade's gaze lingered on him for a long time, making him start to blush after a moment.
“What?” he finally stammered, looking away from the heat in Kade's eyes.
“Nothing,” he replied, standing suddenly to his feet. “C'mon. I have a few friends in town who are probably here. Want me to introduce you?”
Florian could hardly imagine Kade having friends, but who was he to say no? Kade held out his hand to Florian, and he hesitated for a moment before taking it, allowing himself to be helped to his feet.
“Yeah,” he said. “Let's go.” Kade's hand remained in his for only a few steps longer as he led him down to the other tables; but he could feel the warmth lingering on his fingers for a long time afterward.
