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He slid his hand against her cheek until he was near her ear. She felt this fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure if it was excitement or nerves. He leaned even closer.Oh! There’s about to be a kiss, she was sure of it.Her insides were screaming at her. Now was the moment she had to decide her reaction. Her lips slowly parted.
He moved a loose strand of hair from behind her ear and then pulled back, a bit, and continued. “They say birds are quite the judge of character. They only get close to remarkable people.”
“Are you mocking me?” Her eyes narrowed as she laid her hands over both of her cheeks. She felt the warmth attempting to creep through. She did not want him to know that she was blushing, even if it was just a little.
“I would never.” Alzerion smirked. Then he grabbed her hands. He held them tightly in his. She gazed down at her hand in his.“Aironell.”
She nodded. Any words she had, were eluding. His other hand cupped under her chin as he gently eased her face to look up at him.
“I am being serious. No jokes. No misunderstandings this time. You are amazing.”
She looked into his cinnamon-red eyes and felt comfort. How did he do that? She found him mesmerizing. She felt like he understood her, down to her core. Excited yet nervous. That was how she felt around him.
“What do you mean, I’m amazing?” She finally found her words. She glanced at him and looked away, quick. She was regaining a bit of her sanity.What was she doing? What was he doing?The real question she still couldn’t quite answer was, did she care?
Alzerion cleared his throat. She saw his cinnamon red eyes soften a bit. This was a look she hadn’t seen before. “I think you have been so brave with coming home and meeting your parents, facing the people of Bachusa, and learning how to govern.” He took a breath.
Aironell noticed that he seemed a little flushed. She grabbed his hand and squeezed, gently. She wanted him to know that she was here.
“Thanks. Aironell you are very sweet and kind.” He stared right into her eyes, now. She gulped. “You are just an incredible young woman; so talented and beautiful and, well, it all makes you remarkable.”
Aironell glanced away. She never was good with compliments. She wanted very much to believe him. “Alzerion, thank you.” Again, she felt this urge within that he was someone she could trust, plus she liked that his attention was on her.
“You’re welcome.” She could practically feel the steam from his breath. She attempted not to swoon.
“Aironell?” She nodded. “Am I making you uncomfortable? I don’t mean to sound full of myself but you seem—”
“I’m alright.” She straightened up as she played with the bottom ends of her hair. “Honestly, I’m not used to all the compliments. They do make me a bit uneasy.”
“Why? You haven’t been complimented by a man before?” Alzerion playfully shoved her arm and pulled her in for a hug.
“Not quite like you just did,” she leaned back and bit her fingernail and then folded her fingers into her palm.
Alzerion watched her. Glad to be seated. She felt so heavy like if she stood she would crumble down on the floor. Finally, Alzerion placed his hand on her upper back and slid her closer. Any closer and she would be on his lap. She just bit her top lip.
“Aironell, what are you going to do today?”
“I’m not sure.” She tried to hide her disappointment. “My parents said I can do what I’d like. No magic practicing or lessons in governing. Why?” She tilted her head to the side.
“Just curious.” His hands rubbed at his chin. “You should spend some time in town.”
“I’ve already been in town.”
“I know, but it never hurts to spend more time there.”
“That’s true.” Aironell paused. Alzerion did not jump on that obvious moment. So, she continued. “Maybe I should do that.” She scratched at the back of her neck. She tried not to look upset. The way that he was suggesting things, she thought he was hinting around at asking her on a date. But no. Nothing. Alzerion really was hard to read.
Alzerion nodded. He pushed down on the mattress as if to leave. Aironell held the blanket around her waist with one hand, as she moved to a kneeling position. Then her slender hands grabbed him by the elbow. He was about to stand when he turned back to her. He somehow managed to tower over her with his back arched. It looked like he was doing some kind of pushup, the way he stood. The creases that formed beneath the fabric of his arms rippled as he moved.
“That can’t be comfortable.” Aironell chuckled. She wanted to mask her staring at him.
“It’s not. I didn’t want to hurt you.” He glanced at her hand, briefly. “Why did you pull at my arm?”
Aironell’s hand recoiled back by her chest, as she held the blanket now, with both hands. “I had a question for you. I thought you were leaving.”
Alzerion now straightened up as he looked at her. “No, I wouldn’t have left without telling you. I’m not rude.” Aironell nodded.
There was silence for a moment. “Alzerion, are you sure you want me to go to town just so that I can get better acquainted? What kind of game are you playing?”
