“Where’s Dedra?” I asked, unsure how I could have missed her leaving.
“She didn’t sit down with us,” Xavier said, his brow creasing slightly as he glanced toward the bar. “She’s getting drinks.” His attention shifted back to me. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Of course, I was just distracted,” I replied with a forced smile. He frowned slightly, his eyes scanning the room as if seeking out the source of my unease. I mimicked his action, looking out into the tavern.
Two tables down, my eyes fell on a strikingly handsome male. His broad chest and long, shiny black hair cascaded to his shoulders, making him stand out. His sapphire eyes locked onto mine, and a blush crept up my cheeks. I looked away quickly, continuing to scan the room, though I could still feel his intense gaze. The thought made my heart pound slightly faster.
A low growl rumbled next to me, drawing my attention back to Xavier, whose gaze was now fixed on the handsome male with sapphire eyes.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, my voice barely a whisper as I leaned closer to Xavier.
Around us, the tavern patrons cast wary glances in our direction, sensing the tension that crackled in the air. The beautiful male scowled in our direction before turning away, as if uninterested.
“He was assessing you,” Xavier growled again, his tone dangerously low.
“So, you are going to growl at every person who looks at me now?” I snapped, and Xavier finally tore his gaze away from the male to fix me with an incredulous stare.
“If they're looking at you like that, yes,” he said, a dark glint in his eyes.
I just stared at him, unamused, as Dedra approached our table, bearing three glasses of amber liquid. She eyed Xavier knowingly before addressing me. “Don’t worry about him. He's just displaying typical domineering male behavior. It’s in their nature,” she explained with a wicked smile, raising her glass in a mock toast.
I smiled at her words and clinked my glass with hers. Xavier rolled his eyes at our exchange before downing his drink in one swift motion, his attention again drawn to the male, who was now sitting with his back to us a few tables down.
A barmaid walked past our table, large antlers protruding from her head and hooves echoing against the stone tavern floor. Her dirty blonde hair hung in a braid over her shoulder, and her wide, round black eyes seemed to snap to Xavier as she passed, making her pause and turn toward him.
My skin prickled with discomfort as Xavier flashed her a wide grin. “Darla Hinkle, you're looking well,” Xavier greeted her warmly, and Darla blushed.
“Your Majesty, it’s been a while since you were last here. I hope you're doing well?” Darla's voice was soft and melodic, and I started to feel a calm wash over me.
She glanced in my direction, her warm smile seeming to drag me deeper. My feeling of unease was gone, replaced with a relaxed calm. Her eyes seemed to sparkle, and she turned to Dedra.
“Dedra,” she greeted warmly, and Dedra rose from her seat to embrace her.
I leaned back in my seat, and a small sudden giggle escaped my lips. As I went to cover my mouth, my glass jostled, sending a tiny splash of liquid onto the table and causing me to giggle again. I felt my cheeks flush, though I couldn’t help but grin at my clumsy behavior.
Xavier glanced at me, an eyebrow raised in silent inquiry.
“I’m fine,” I replied, smiling as I rested my head on my hand, my elbow now in the small puddle I had created.
I took a lazy sip of my ale, looking between them all with a smile.
“I think she is calm enough, Darla,” Xavier said kindly, but his words had an edge.
Darla turned to him innocently as Dedra settled back into her seat. “Sorry, Your Majesty. She had so many emotions. I was just trying to help.” She batted her eyes at him innocently, and I chuckled at them. Xavier looked like he was suppressing a smile as he glanced at me.
“It was good seeing you, Darla. Tell your father we say hello,” Xavier said in a clear dismissal. Darla bowed slightly, casting him one last smile as she bounded off across the room.
“She seemed nice,” I said, sighing and taking another sip of my ale. The suffocating calm started to wash away, and I looked down into my glass, wondering what kind of ale this was.
Dedra laughed lightly and patted me on my back. “Darla can manipulate emotions. She feeds off them.” She chuckled again. “It has happened to all of us; I wouldn’t take it personally.”
My brows shot up, and my gaze shot toward Darla, who was taking orders from a table across the room. Her gaze drifted toward me, and a sly smile spread across her face before she focused back on her table.
Anger bubbled inside me as I glowered in her direction, but Xaviers' hand landed on my arm. “Let's order some food,” he said, the corner of his lips curling as he moved his hand away.
Food arrived shortly after, and as I spooned the stew into my mouth, I kept an eye on Darla as she pranced around the room. A sense of restlessness settled over me. I didn’t know why it bugged me so much, but it somehow felt like a violation.
“Where's the ladies' room?” I grumbled, my irritation evident. Dedra gestured toward an alcove in the wall with a smirk, and I nodded curtly before making my way across the room.
