We barely had time to process our kill before Keerla yelled, “Incoming!”
The final ogre left standing tried to make a run for it but tripped on the rope two of Ryo’s guards held taut in front of him. He came crashing down right on top of the one we’d just killed, quickly rolling over and sitting up with a roar.
I shared a look with Devdan before charging into action with the rest of the group—Fae and elves fighting side by side to end the last of the ogres.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Melarue
A
fter the last ogre was killed, it was time to party!
The gathering on top of the hill at base camp was like nothing I’d ever seen. Word of our victory had spread across Pinemist, and citizens were coming out in droves to bring us food and drink. Flames rose from every barrel, and elves with lutes skipped around playing merry tunes.
A couple of elven warriors had been bruised but everyone was alive and well. We didn’t even mind being covered in blood and ogre guts. Damp rags were passed around for a quick cleanup. I’d managed to avoid having loads of gore slopped over me.
I felt alive and elated, victorious. We’d retaken our home.
As the sun faded into the horizon, the music and merriment continued. Ale and spiced wine were brought up the hill and warmed over fire before being handed out in mugs to the elven warriors and royal Fae guards.
As I watched an elf and a faerie clink mugs before drinking, warmth filled my belly. I didn’t need to drink the spirits to feel the goodwill all around me.
More instruments were carted up the hill, and soon a whole band played while surrounding elves clapped and sang. Some elves started dancing.
“Shall we join them?” Devdan asked, bumping his shoulder into mine.
I wasn’t much for dancing, but it was a good outlet for the adrenaline still coursing through me.
I nodded and walked with Devdan to the merry elves swinging each other around. Once we joined them, Devdan took my hands and spun me. I lifted my head to the stars, my soul glowing with happiness. I was so dizzy I nearly spun off into the crowd, but Dev reeled me in and pulled me against him.
I wrapped my arms loosely around his waist and stared into his heated brown eyes.
“You’re planning to kiss me first, right?” he asked.
“Of course,” I answered. I did it right then. We’d waited long enough.
Our lips parted slightly, a familiar rush of longing coaxing my tongue awake. We tilted our heads to deepen the kiss. My eyes fluttered closed, Devdan devouring my sighs with his warm lips. I tasted mulled wine on his tongue.
When we pulled apart, I blinked several times.
Devdan watched me closely. “You’re leaving again, aren’t you?”
“My sister needs me.”
He nodded.
“You could come with me this time,” I suggested.
Devdan rubbed his bottom lip, his eyes pinging from me to the gathering around us. “I’ve missed you so much, Mel, but it doesn’t feel right to leave. There are entire sections of Pinemist that require rebuilding, not to mention displaced families in need of temporary lodging.” His brows pulled together. “Can I have a little time to think about it?”
“Of course,” I said, bobbing my head. “I mean, how much is a little?”
Devdan chuckled softly. “Just give me a heads-up before you portal back.” His smile wavered. “What happens if I don’t come with you? Will you stay with Ryo?”
“We’re just friends,” I said, glancing at the ground.
“You’ve never kissed him?”
“You are still the one and only male I’ve ever kissed, Dev. But there’s still the kiss I promised Ryo for making it out of here alive. His safety is sorta my responsibility, and it seemed like a strong incentive.”
Devdan folded his arms loosely over his chest. “Uh-huh. I suppose he earned a quick peck on the lips,” he acknowledged grudgingly. “At the very least it will demonstrate my superiority at kissing.”
“Ha,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Maybe I’m the great kisser.”
“Maybe you had an excellent tutor.” Devdan smirked.
I gave him a playful whack on the shoulder.
“Roast lamb is ready,” someone announced.
“Oh good, I’m starving,” Dev said.
A line formed behind a spit.
I started toward it with Devdan then stopped. “Oh, pit! What time is it?” I looked up at the sky. Seven, at least. Lowering my head, I met Devdan’s eyes. “I told my father I’d sup with him. Me and Ryo. Not sure if the invitation extended to the guards.” I chewed on my bottom lip.
“Better leave them here just in case. There’s plenty of food to go around. Besides, they look like they’re enjoying themselves, and I’d say they earned it too.”
I nodded. “I’d say so. Ugh. I don’t want to go.” I should have never agreed or given into my father’s coercion. Base camp was where the action was at, the after-battle celebration. Ryo looked happy basking in our glory. He was sipping ale and mingling with the elven warriors, recounting what happened from all angles of the battle. I doubted he ever got this kind of positive attention back home. I didn’t want to take him away from this moment, but I had promised Pops. “Dammit,” I grumbled.
Dev chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Sorry, Mel. Sucks.”
“Yeah, sucks,” I repeated, shoulders slumping.
“At least we kicked ogre ass,” he reminded me.
“That we did,” I said, lifting my chin. I looked around the gathering and sighed heavily. “How long do you think it will take to rebuild?”
Devdan shook his head. “Let’s not think about that tonight. Let’s just enjoy the victory.”
I nodded. “Smart elf.” I gave Devdan a quick hug then waved and started into the crowd to get Ryo. Before I’d made it five steps, I turned back around and marched swiftly up to Devdan. His lips parted in surprise. I grabbed him by the tunic and pulled him to me, giving him another hard kiss. I kept hold of him after breaking off the kiss. “Just to be clear, there will be no kissing of other females tonight—one in particular—Sana.”
“I think we’re clear, Mel,” Dev said with a chuckle. The skin around his eyes crinkled in amusement. He touched my cheek and stared into my eyes. “And just so we’re clear, I’m the best kisser in all the realms. You can thank me later.”
I snorted and hugged him, hurrying away before I was tempted to stay the rest of the night. I wouldn’t put it past my father to storm the hill, shouting at the top of his lungs if I didn’t show up for dinner.
Seriously lame. It made me feel like a child rather than an adult warrior.
I found Ryo and reminded him of our unfortunate commitment. He merely smiled and said he was ready. It appeared nothing could get him down after our victory. He asked for a volunteer among his guards to portal back to Dahlquist and let Aerith know the ogre problem was solved and that there were no more casualties.
I appreciated the guard who stepped forward, offering to forgo the remainder of the celebrations. And I was grateful to Ryo who had thought of easing my sister’s worry in the first place. I probably wouldn’t have remembered until morning.
Ryo led us to a spot at the bottom of the hill and opened a portal for his guard back to Dahlquist castle. Once the guard stepped through, he closed the portal and opened a new one back to Jhaeros’s house. News had already traveled from neighborhood to neighborhood and home to home, so Fhaornik and Mrs. Calarel were aware the danger was over.
We took turns using Jhaeros’s washroom for a more thorough cleanup. Ryo had gotten some ogre blood on his cheek. I splashed my face, too, for a little refresher, but kept on the same clothes I’d worn to battle. Ryo left his armor and sword in the guest room. Sighing, I’d set my short sword beside his blade on top of the dresser. Father would be all over me in an instant about “no weapons at the dinner table” if I brought the sword.
We walked across the street to the est
ate my father had indicated. All up and down the lane, lights glowed from windows, the town come back to life. Thanks to Ryo’s portal from base camp to Jhaeros’s home, we arrived “right on time,” according to my father, who threw open the door before I had a chance to knock.
We were beckoned inside by my finely dressed father. He’d gotten out his best dress coat and buckled shoes. So embarrassing.
“Are they here?” a woman called from somewhere within.
The smell of roasted lamb wafted across my nose from the same direction of the voice. My stomach grumbled.
A brunette not much older than Aerith swished into the foyer in a ruffled ballgown and wide smile.
“This is Lady Dashwood,” Father announced proudly. “And this is my youngest daughter, Melarue, and our honored guest, Prince Ryo Elmray of Dahlquist.”
“Oh my, it is a great honor to meet you both,” Lady Dashwood cooed, fluttering her fingers in front of her chest. “Welcome to my home. I hope you are both hungry.”
“Famished. We worked up an appetite killing ogres,” I said.
“Mel,” Father hissed. “Manners.”
Lady Dashwood tittered. “Not to worry, Elred. Your daughter and Ryo are heroes.”
Father nodded. “Very true. Well done. Well done, indeed.” He turned his attention to Ryo and grinned. “Did I not tell you my daughter was skilled at ogre killing?”
“Uh, yeah, she’s pretty great.” Ryo toed the tiled entry with the tip of his boot.
I kicked his toe gently and said, “You were pretty great too. Really great, actually.”
Ryo looked up at me, a grin lighting up his eyes.
“Excellent,” Father said, clapping his hands together. “This demands a toast. Lady Dashwood has outdone herself with dinner.”
In a mansion this size, I doubted Lady Dashwood, with her tidy brown curls and jeweled fingers, had personally prepared supper.
“Come,” Father said, leading us into the house as though he owned it.
Ryo must have been curious about his behavior as well for he asked, “Tell me, Lady, will your husband be joining us?”
I was glad he asked because I wanted to know.
“Sweet of you to inquire,” she said, placing a hand on Ryo’s arm. “Sadly, I am widowed.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that,” Ryo said.
“Oh, you are sweet, aren’t you?” Lady Dashwood said, sounding pleased. She gave his arm a squeeze.
Father held his arm out to her all formal-like to lead us into a large dining room with three bright chandeliers overhead.
There was a fresh floral centerpiece in the middle of the table. Two footmen dressed in black tailcoats stood ramrod straight in the dining room. They stepped into action as we entered, pouring bubbling wine into crystal flutes. As a footman handed one to me, I shook my head and said, “No, thanks.”
“You have to at least toast with us,” Father scolded. “Pinemist has never seen such a victory as you have won for our town today.”
True. I took the flute and toasted with my father, Ryo, and Lady Dashwood. After taking a sip, I put my glass on the table.
Where was this feast Father had boasted of?
Come to think of it, where was my sister? I stared down at the four place settings then looked at my father.
“Where’s Shalendra?”
Father frowned, just slightly, he was in too jolly a mood to lose his entire smile.
“Aerith didn’t tell you?” he asked. My lingering nonanswer eventually conveyed what he needed to know: Aerith and I didn’t sit around discussing Shalendra. Father coughed into his fist. “Your sister got married.”
“Huh? Guess my invitation got lost in the wind.”
“She had no way to contact you. We didn’t know which world you were in, never mind an actual address.”
“Wow. So I have a new brother-in-law. Someone important, I imagine.”
Father lifted his chest. “He is indeed a fine elf from a refined family in Sweetbell—an extremely respectable family. Yes.”
I rolled my eyes. “Good for Shalendra. Guess she got her heart’s desire then.”
Father’s gaze flicked upward and his eyes pinched together.
“Enough about Shalendra; please seat yourselves. Supper will be in shortly.”
Enough about Shalendra? Since when did Father not want to stand around praising her to the skies, especially if she’d made a favorable match?
I guess a prince outshone Father’s favorite daughter. That and Shalendra was taken care of, whereas I was still on the market. Ugh. Dinner better be really freaking good.
Father pulled out a chair for Lady Dashwood. Ryo followed his lead and pulled one out for me on the opposite side of the table before taking a seat beside me.
A footman entered with a tray of four tiny biscuitlike discs with chopped bits on top.
“Toasted crostini with caramelized apples and onions,” the footman announced as he set one on each of our plates.
I bent over the table and frowned down at the delicate hors d’oeuvre. I could have eaten all four. Dad was going to drag this out, wasn’t he? I’d once seen him order a ten-course meal for Sir Such-and-Such back in Sweetbell. Luckily, I hadn’t been forced to attend that five-hour marathon meal. I’d just come into my elemental magic, and Shalendra had been afraid I’d singe the fancy linens.
I lifted the crostini to my mouth and bit off half.
Oh. Those flavors. My eyelashes fluttered closed. I could taste the caramelized apples and onions—the perfect pairing, cooked to perfection. They were nice and soft over the crunchy bread. Forget four, I could have eaten forty of them.
I devoured the last half and was just about to ask for seconds when soup was served. At least Father kept things moving tonight.
“I imagine the two of you worked up quite an appetite,” he said knowingly.
“Duck and andouille gumbo,” the footman announced.
I inhaled the aroma steaming above my bowl before digging in.
Oh wow, delish.
Father waited until the salad course to ask for a recounting of our ogre battle. He was being clever this evening, warming our bellies with delectable cuisine then proceeding to ask us about our victory. Father and his friend hung on to every word we spoke.
“The ropes were such a clever idea on Ryo’s part,” I boasted, lifting my chest.
Sheesh, now I knew who I got it from.
“Ingenious,” Father said, beaming across the table at Ryo.
Ryo shrugged and stared at his potato arugula salad.
“Without the ropes, those ogres would have killed some of our troops, maybe a lot of them,” I said, looking over at Ryo. “Your idea truly was brilliant.”
He met my eyes then lowered his gaze to my lips.
Ah, so he hadn’t forgotten. I rubbed them together wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Had Devdan’s kisses truly ruined all others? There was only one way to find out.
By the time the rosemary-braised lamb shanks were served, I was eating much slower, chewing each bite.
Father took a sip of bubbling wine, then set down his flute. “I’ve missed this,” he said. “It is a treat to spend quality time with family, and you, Ryo, are family.”
“Thank you, Mr. Heiris,” Ryo said. “And thank you, Lady Dashwood, for welcoming us into your home. This meal is superb.”
“You are a sweet one,” she said. “I’m sure you eat far better at Dahlquist castle.”
“This is one of the best meals I’ve enjoyed,” Ryo said in earnest.
Food did taste better after battling, but I kept that to myself.
“Excellent. Excellent,” Father said, rubbing his hands together. “You must eat all your meals with us while you are in town.”
I wiped my fingers on the linen napkin in my lap. “Actually, we need to get back to Dahlquist,” I said.
Father’s face fell. “So soon?”
I nodded. “Aerith needs us.”
“M
y family is undergoing a bit of a crisis,” Ryo said. “I don’t know how we would have managed without the help of Aerith and Melarue.”
“Oh yes, indeed,” Father said, bobbing his head. “They are indispensable, to be sure. Rare jewels. Not to be taken for granted.”
Look who was talking. I decided to be polite and not call my dad out on that one. No promises next time though.
He took another sip of bubbling wine, eyeing me as he did. Flute still in hand, he asked, “How long do you think you’ll remain in Dahlquist?”
I shrugged. “Until Liri returns or someone else is crowned.”
“And after that?” Father asked, leaning forward.
“I don’t know where I’ll be. I’ll send you a postcard.”
“A what?”
“Never mind.”
“Mel—”
I stood up. “It’s been nice catching up, but we really do have to be going. The ogres are dead, but we still have a couple of no-good Fae and their dark sorceress to fight.”
“A sorceress?” Lady Dashwood asked a bit shrilly, pressing a hand to her chest.
“But you haven’t had dessert yet,” Father said, blinking at me.
I turned to Ryo. “Do you want to stay for dessert or get going?” I raised my brows.
Ryo’s cheeks glowed and he moistened his lips. “Mr. Heiris, Lady Dashwood, thank you again for the delicious meal. I am sorry we have to leave so hastily. As you can imagine, I am anxious to return to Dahlquist and protect my kingdom.”
Father’s face softened. “Of course, of course. Say no more,” he said, getting up slowly. He walked us to the foyer, talking the whole way. “You are welcome anytime you are in Pinemist. I insist you call on me.” Turning to me he said, “Mel, I know I can count on you to protect the prince.”
“He can protect himself,” I said, “but yeah, I’ve got Ryo’s back and he’s got mine.”
Father nodded, a pleased smile on his lips. “Be careful, my dear,” he said in the foyer before kissing both my cheeks. “And give Aerith my warm regards.”
Sure. Weirdest family dinner ever.
“Okay, bye-bye,” I called, hurrying down the stone steps to the long pebbled driveway. “Thanks for suffering through that for me,” I said to Ryo as we crossed the street.
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