by Raven Bouray
“To give away? What profit does that make? You are beginning to sound a bit foolish on your own. Giving food away to the poor. If they weren’t so lazy, then maybe they could afford to pay for it.”
“You could employ them.” She knew that the DeVrosses were unkind but she didn’t think they were quite as horrible as she was now finding out.
“We already have enough fishing boats and crews. Why would we hire more hands to put gold into? That is bad for business.” His hand slid down even more. “Let’s talk of other things and perhaps later we could do so alone. After all, I am the best choice for a husband. I’m richer and better connected than those three idiots.”
Emmaline stiffened and slid to a stop as his hand reached lower. “The only idiot I see is right in front of me. And I can guarantee you will never marry me. You are a despicable human being and you deserve someone as ugly on the outside as you are on the inside. I will ask you one time to remove your hand from where it rests. How dare you take liberties with me? I’m the granddaughter of the King, and you think to treat me like some common air headed whore? I hope you enjoy your ride back to Belftan, as you will have a long journey ahead of you,” she hissed out at him and flexed her arms to push him from her.
“How dare you, you little cunt? You don’t know what you are missing. You’ll be begging me to marry you soon, and I’ll cast you out but not before I take you for my mistress. You’ll be sorry for scorning me,” he hissed back and gave a dark look before storming off.
Emmaline’s wide eyed gaze followed her spurned suitor and though she was frightened at his tone and threats, she knew that he was unlikely to act on them. Her heartbeat thudded in her chest for possibly the tenth time tonight but began to calm the farther he fled from her.
“He was very rude, my Lady.” An accented voice came from behind her and she turned to see her next dance partner about two paces away. He gave her a smile. “But we all know that.”
She met his dark gaze. “Quite so. But it had to be done.”
“He’s lucky that your father wasn’t in listening distance, although he looks ready to murder the fool where he stands.”
And indeed when Emmaline looked over Cammen’s shoulder, she saw her father’s dark look in Edrin’s direction. His shoulders were hunched, and his body was tense. Her mother looked to be speaking to him softly, but she couldn’t concentrate on the words with all the other noise in the room. “I wouldn’t mind it.”
He laughed, a rich sound. “The pretty ones are the most bloodthirsty, I’ve been told.”
“Pretty? Is he?”
“Some would think.” He nodded at her.
“So do you think I’m bloodthirsty then?”
“I don’t know you well enough to attest to that aspect.”
“So just pretty?”
“You don’t need me to tell you that. You’ve been told that your entire life, I gather. But you are rather astute and quick tongued. That is far more admirable than just beauty.” His odd accent curled around her ears much like a cat would wind about someone’s legs.
“Flattery might earn you a dance.”
“Ah. Well then I better take my chance, yes? Would you consent to dance with me, Lady Emmaline? I’ve been told I’m quite good at it.”
Emmaline offered her hand and was already pleased with this new suitor. “How is it I haven’t already seen you before? Or even heard of you?”
He took her proffered hand and pulled her in close then placed his hand appropriately on her waist. “My family has recently come into the ranks of nobility. It has been quite the grueling task for all of us in this place of power and intrigue.”
She thought for a moment, trying to remember where he said he was from. “Ysir… That’s on the opposite coast.”
“Not quite the coast but close. We provide much of the meat of the kingdom and wool and leather. With Brecirin in the market for food, we have made quite the name for ourselves.”
“How long has your family been in that line of work?”
“My family has been raising cattle, sheep, and chickens for nearly fifty years. Our rise to fame and fortune has come within the last five.”
“You are quite lucky then,” she remarked.
“Some would say so, yes.”
“Your coloring and features are unlike any I’ve seen before.”
“Yes.” He smiled and looked sheepish. “I do get that quite a lot. My grandfather was Erudin. They have a rather dark and exotic look, and I’ve inherited quite a bit of that. My sisters favor more of my other side.”
“I was born on their island.”
“Ah. Well you know more about it than I do, I fear.”
“Sadly I remember none of it.”
“Ah.” He chuckled. “Well then perhaps if we should marry, we could travel there, no?”
“So you offer adventure then?”
“What is life without adventure?” He paused for effect. “Boring. That’s what it is. And you seem like someone who would go mad from being closed in.”
“I’m starting to like you.”
“Good. That’s the goal, isn’t it? But truly, you are both stunning and clever and far more interesting than the other girls my family has wished for me to court. They are nearly going rabid at the thought of reaching so high.”
“And you?”
“I could marry now. I could marry later. As long as it happens before I die to pass on the family name, I do not care.”
Emmaline did laugh a little at his nonchalance. “You intrigue me as well, and that doesn’t bode well. I feel as if I’m being led into a trap.”
“No trap. No. It looks as if I am dominating your time for the evening, but if you should wish to speak with me more, I would welcome it.” His expression was one of playful begging as he released her from his embrace and bowed deeply to her, placing a kiss on her hand. “I leave you, my Lady.” His eyes took on a look that could be described only as a smolder, and Emmaline couldn’t help the blush that warmed her cheeks in response.
She was intrigued, but strangely it was only a mental response. She felt no actual attraction to him despite his very darkly handsome features, ones that probably earned him quite a few looks, kisses, and possibly even bedmates. “Thank you, Xereni.” She used his surname as a title instead of his formal title so as to not show favor despite her appreciation for him as there were many ears listening in.
He nodded once more and melted into the crowd.
Emmaline watched him go for a moment more before she turned around toward her chair intending to sit down once more before being pulled back on the dance floor. Instead she met the blue eyes of her next suitor. “Good evening, Emma.” He bowed deeply before her and pulled back up with a half cocked grin, which she had to admit looked quite pretty with his blonde hair and dimples.
She returned with a curtsy and lifted her gaze. “Hello, Calgen.”
“Brr. That was rather chilly. Calgen, she says, as if we didn’t spend a whole year together as children.”
“At eight, you were an unholy terror who would pull my hair and run away laughing while I chased you with a large stick.”
“I was quite the rascal, wasn’t I? And you eventually did catch me with that thing. Gave me quite the lump on my head, you know. It was hardly a thing that a noble lady should do.”
“I gave you a black eye as well, if I remember correctly. And I’ll do it again if you pull on my hair today.”
“I’ve grown up, if you can believe it. No more hair pulling for me now. And we were children, so you should forgive me for it.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Still as sharp as ever then, eh? Good. This should be rather fun. May I have this dance?”
“As long as you don’t step on my feet.” She stepped into his space, and her hands once more resumed the customary places for dancing.
“Never. My huge boots would crush them.”
“You certainly have grown up a bit.” She gave him a cursor
y look over, including his large dress boots, then met his eye.
“Yes. Mostly from tree climbing. I’ve endeavored to get better since you left. You were always climbing up higher than most would dare to, and I couldn’t be beaten by a girl.”
“It was only to get away from you.”
“I hope you won’t climbing any trees tonight. I don’t wish to chase you in a dress. It would end badly for at least one of us.”
“Not that I could run in these shoes.”
“It’s amazing what women will go through for a party. I roll out of bed looking like this, you know.”
“Do I need to know how you get out of bed?” She gave him a disapproving eye.
“You will if we share one.” That cocky grin was back. It made her simultaneously want to punch him and lean a bit closer.
“So sure of yourself?”
“Well, not fully sure, of course. I mean, someone else could sweep you off of your feet. Edrin was doing a spectacular job a little while ago, don’t you think?” His blue eyes carried a wicked gleam.
“Sarcasm, Jacen? I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Ouch. You wound me. If a man’s ego could bleed, your dress would be ruined.” His eyes glittered merrily at her now.
“How sad.” Her reply was flippant, and his gaze turned into a mock glare.
“You should be sad. A man’s ego is a fragile thing, you know.”
“You are all fragile little flowers that will bruise at the smallest touch. I’ve found at least that fact quite true.”
“Well, enough about me. Tell me something new about you. It’s been nine whole years. I’m supposed to be wooing you.” He paused briefly but spoke again before she could reply. “You got a horse, didn’t you, after you left my castle? From Lord Wils? I heard about it and demanded one from father because I was a spoiled jealous little brat who missed his friend, but he refused to pay that much money for an animal.”
“My great grandfather, yes. Her name is Arya.”
“Like a song?”
Her eyebrows raised in surprise. “You know what an aria is?”
“I’m not an idiot, despite my bravado. I might have spent our year together doing nothing but getting into trouble, but after you left, my father became quite the dictator. He’s been pushing me to marry, but I haven’t found a worthy women yet.”
“Why do I feel as if I’ve been put on the spot?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Hmm,” she snorted, and they resumed dancing in silence. He watched her looking at him. He really was quite handsome, and the longer she looked, the warmer her face felt until he grinned at her.
“Flustered a bit by my godlike visage?” He leaned forward a little bit more, getting into her space just a small fraction causing her heart beat faster.
“Hardly,” she fired back, but her cheeks felt red hot at his proximity. Never had she had so many men so close to her in such a short time. It was flustering. But aside from that feeling of being off balance, she was still as unaffected as she had been with Cammen Xereni. Perhaps she really was broken.
“Can’t lie to me. But I guess I should take pity on you a bit and distance myself to prevent you from fainting at my feet.”
Emmaline merely glared at him. “I suppose I will talk to you later.”
“You better.” He released her and stepped back before taking another bow and turning to leave.
Emmaline watched him go and attempted to slow down her heart. He had certainly grown up in all the proper ways but he was still a brat.
She was still mulling over her exchange with him when a voice came from behind her, signaling her last required dance of the night. “L-l-lady Emmaline. M-m-may I have this d-dance?”
She turned to find plump Tylred behind her, red faced and sweating wetly, from either the heat of the room or nervousness. Or his clothes. She looked up and down at his old fashioned garb with too many layers and frills. “Good evening, Lordling Nivon.” Despite the fact that just looking at him was unappetizing, she was required to give a dance to each of her suitors. “It would be my honor to dance with you.” As soon as his hand touched hers, she suppressed the urge, just barely, to jerk her hand back at the cold, wet feel of his palms. As it was, she took a deep breath and put on a smile as the wetness encased her small hand.
“Thank you, m-my Lady.” He kept a fair distance between their bodies and pulled her to dance, but she quickly found out that dancing was not his strong suit as they barely moved from their spot, merely going side to side rather than the semi complex motions of Brecirin’s formal dancing.
“You are very welcome. Tell me, do you like it here?” Her gaze centered on his hair, which was the most attractive thing about him currently.
“L-like it? Oh yes, very much. Your castle is bigger than ours.”
“Your family is in charge of the wool production, yes?”
“Y-yes. Wool. Sheep. Very busy. Clothing too. Yeah.” He did his best to keep the stutter out of his voice.
“We always need more clothes.”
“Everyone d-does. Well, some less t-than others.” Emmaline had been looking at his hairline during their conversation, which was a fine tactic for making it seem like you are interested. But as her gaze dropped to his eyes, his eyes had dropped to her neckline, or perhaps her chest, which had a bit of fluff to fool the eyes for her lack of anything there.
Emmaline cleared her throat, and he jerked his gaze up along with his body and Emmaline stifled a shriek of pain as his foot came down rather heavily onto hers. “So-sorry! So. Sorry!” He leapt back from her and turned tail back into the crowd. She bit her lip as her eyes watered a little.
“Emmaline, are you alright?” It was Cammen’s voice. “That oaf nearly broke your foot.”
“It’s fine. Thank you.” She hissed out and turned away from the offer of help to walk, somewhat lopsidedly, to her chair. Her father looked ready to order Tylred’s execution and was presently sitting on the edge of his large chair, glaring at the father and son. She took this opportunity, as well, to wipe her hand on the side of her dress to dispel the chilled disgusting feeling that remained. Cammen took her arm, and she leaned into him as he assisted her back to the dais. He let her go as soon as she was able to mount the few steps up to her parents.
“It was an accident, father.” She spoke softly to him as she reached her chair to sit down upon the soft cushion with a sigh.
“Idiot,” she heard him growl under his breath before sitting back in his chair. Louder now, “What did you think?”
“I think you heard the tail end of Edrin’s and my exchange. And Tylred is clearly out of the running as well, it seems.”
“Didn’t I tell you that Jacen would be splendid?” Her mother interjected.
“He has grown up quite a bit,” she agreed. “But I don’t know if he’s husband worthy.”
Her father gave a huff. “What’s odd to me is that I haven’t heard much about the Xereni family. Late risers to nobility. Something about him seems off.”
“Daddy. You probably don’t like any of them.”
“You would be right on that, Dove,” he snorted, as if she should have already known the answer.
“Gregor, you said you would give them a chance.”
“And I did. For a moment.”
“You are impossible,” her mother sighed.
“And you love me for it.” He gave her a large grin.
“That I do.”
“Do I have to pick tonight?”
“You have to narrow it down tonight at least. You will have to invite Lordling Cammen and Lordling Jacen to the castle in the next month and have tea or whatever it would be that you wish, then after that whoever you choose will be your husband,” her mother stated matter-of-factly.
“I never said that was who I would pick.”
“But you did.” Her mother looked positively thrilled at the prospect of the courtship.
“Fi
ne. You’re right.” She sighed and changed the subject away from marriage and courtship. “I’m a bit hungry, and my foot still hurts a little. Can we get to eating?”
“Finally, the best thing about this whole party business. Food.”
“You two are impossible. Food over dancing and small talk.”
“Every day, mama. Every day.” Emmaline grinned.
Chapter 9
Emmaline ran through the halls of her home effortlessly while laughing merrily and when she looked back she gave a squeal and ran faster. Her father chased her through the stone corridors with deep laughter as he drew closer. Everything was so much bigger than she remembered it, or perhaps she was smaller. A quick look down at her feet confirmed the second guess.