“Uncle, this is Jane,” Finn said to Eldar, gesturing to me.
But the Elven Lord took about three seconds appraising Reagan before I could dip my chin again.
“Beautiful hair,” Eldar said to me, lingering on my side braid. His gaze returned to Reagan. “What matter requires two emissaries?”
Reagan’s tone remained mild. “They are both vital to this, far more than I am.”
“Exciting times then,” Iqbal said, eyes sparkling. “You know the family already, I believe.”
“Not her.” The deep voice came from the elf who resembled Eldar. He stepped forward, placing himself in front of me and extending his hand.
Indeed, Finn had failed to mention this one.
“Jane,” I said, going for a handshake.
Yet the man turned my palm down and pressed his lips to my knuckles.
A loose braid of platinum hair spilled over his shoulder like silk. “Jane,” he repeated, deep and low, and a shiver traced my spine. “I’m Arun.”
The sultry inflection was consistent in all their voices. Briefly, I curled my fingers so he would notice he still held them.
“The last time I saw you,” Reagan said, surging to my side, “you didn’t join Eldar’s welcoming receptions.”
Arun released my hand and met Reagan’s eyes before dipping his chin. “Mage Lord. It has been some time since your last visit.” His eyes shimmered blue like Eldar’s, who I assumed was his brother. “You will see more of me now.”
“Arun began leading our sentries three years ago,” Iqbal added. “Too many changes followed after some of our kin left Banfgaard to move to abetter country. I cannot understand how leaving all one holds dear could be considered better, but…”
He didn’t finish. I glanced at Finn, now speaking with Anife, sensing he absorbed every word.
“Some people seem drawn to the unknown,” Arun mused, hands clasped behind his back.
“And those are people far less content than us,” Reagan replied with a pointed grin to Iqbal, sliding his hands into his pockets. “All that curiosity and bravery must be so inconvenient. Much better to stay put, like us. Closer to comfort.”
Iqbal’s eyes twitched, but before he could respond, Finn brushed past Reagan with slightly excessive force and hooked an arm around Arun’s neck. “Leading sentries? You couldn’t lead a dance back when I lived here.”
I took in their dynamics. Between Finn’s well-hidden discomfort or Reagan’s subtle jab, I found myself wondering what type of people we came here to ally with.
Chapter 29
Jane
Dinner would be held on Vassar Island, a stretch of land near the coast. We were meant to discuss the Order’s looming threats and probe the possibility of an alliance that might give us access to their network of spies.
From what I understood, the elvenborn were viewed by the Order as little better than the hybrid-born, but Finn and Reagan didn’t seem confident that such low esteem would be enough to motivate them to form an alliance. Not without something in return.
After our long tour of the alabaster palace, where the Elven Lords showed us a myriad of old paintings, and a stroll along the river, I was offered a chamber for the next few days. Finally, I had privacy to gape at the near ocean beyond the canopy of trees. No city in sight.
Until an elven maid appeared at the door, handing me a dress for tonight.
Calling it a dress felt generous. Apparently, we were supposed to wear something like what they wore, rather than the sensible clothes I’d brought.
The shimmering red bodice was a narrow tube and too small for me. And yet, it adjusted enough to fit, clinging to every curve of my torso, held by two thin straps knotted at my nape. However, I liked the back, bare until the waist, and the skirt, which fell straight to my feet in crimson chiffon. It reminded me of some dresses I’d worn to dance.
I’d just begun wrestling with the torture-heels when a knock sounded at the antechamber door. “Yes?”
“It’s me,” Reagan answered.
“You can come in,” I said, hearing the knob turn.
