Bound by the Mist (Mists of Eria) (15 page)

He stopped a foot or two away from her. A smile played upon his sensuous lips. Cal’s surprise threatened to bubble over. Was he delighted to see her or just a superb actor? At that moment, she didn’t care. To bask in his pleasure and acceptance, even if they only proved superficial, was all she desired.

Inclining his head slightly, he reached for a hand that hung limp at her side. “My lady, how are you this morning? You look very well-rested and lovely.”

No hint of a lie rested in his gray eyes. He seemed...sincere? She mistrusted that last thought. This charming Relian set a new precedent, and she didn’t know how to handle him. Playing it safe, she just gawked at him.

A small functioning part of her mind cried out it seemed harder to understand his words. Surely, it had been easier yesterday? Everyone and everything was becoming increasingly incomprehensible. When had things become so complicated?

Aware he expected a reply and that she must resemble a gaping fish, Cal closed her mouth and spoke through a throat tight with nerves. “Yes, I slept well. Thank you.”

A smile again tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he cocked his head, black hair hanging over his shoulders like a shining curtain. “That is good.”

While retaining her hand, he turned to Maggie to offer her a greeting, which she returned without hesitation. He swept an arm toward the table. “Come sit. We will break our fast together.”

Cal glanced at her friend, who shrugged and shot her a look that said, “What else can we do?” Both women followed.

When almost at the table, she noted the only seats available were two to the right of the king and one to the left. She gulped. What had she expected?

Maggie’s gaze prodded the back of her skull. Cal turned to her, and what she saw made her freeze. Discomfiture lined Maggie’s face, her alarm an almost palpable thing in the air.

Looking about to find the perpetrator of this distress, she didn’t have far to go. The king watched Maggie with a look of glee in his gray eyes that he poorly disguised. The sinking suspicion he wasn’t trying to hide it at all filtered into her brain.

She shot Maggie a reassuring look. Where was Maggie’s composure? Not often could someone shake her confidence. The king seemed to take delight in doing so. Hopefully, this wouldn’t cause uncomfortable tension while they were stuck here.

Relian, with a hand on her back, pressed her into one of the chairs to the right of his father. Even after he removed his hand, the imprint burned against her skin. He bent down and whispered in her ear, “You are in a seat of honor, rest easy.”

She bit her lip. Damn him, she wanted to lose consciousness. This was too much for her mind to take, let alone her heart.

He drew a gentle finger down her check, touching a few wavy tendrils that framed her face. His eyes blazed with soft warmth.

A pleasurable, hazy fog encompassed her, impeding all clear thought. She could happily ravish him right now.

“I need to see to your friend now.”

She blinked at him. Who?

“Lady Maggie. She still stands behind us. I’ll see her seated.”

Cal started. She’d forgotten Maggie. Though she shifted in her chair to throw her friend a contrite glance, her gesture was unnecessary. Eye-locked in a silent tug-of-war, Maggie and the king battled it out.

Oh, dear.
The look Maggie sported meant trouble was coming.

The king stood up, not breaking his eye contact with Maggie, and addressed
his son. “Nonsense, Relian, have a seat by your lovely companion. I will see to the...other lovely lady.” He stopped at the pause, giving her an arch look to match his words.

A thunderous scowl flitted across Maggie’s face. Then a smirk took its place. “I’m more a lady than you’ll ever be.”

Cal groaned. Maggie had a way of mixing up words. And while the meaning was usually clear, the hilarity value was always astronomical.

Talion’s laugh rang through the silent hall. “My lady, how right you are. I hope never to be a lady.”

Maggie deflated as a pin to a balloon, her cheeks pink. All challenge in her seemed melted away—for right now, at least.

Sympathy welled up, and Cal gave a pleading look to Relian. He muttered something. He straightened to his full height and stepped closer to his father, all but whispering, “Father, behave!”

Talion gave a wicked smile that indicated he would carry on as he pleased. He sidestepped Relian and towered over Maggie. Though he was more than half-a-foot taller than her 5’8” friend, his strong presence made the difference even greater.

The king inclined his head and said in a silvery voice, “Come, my lady, I will see you seated.” When Maggie’s face set in mutinous lines, Talion took her arm and put a hand on the small of her back, forcing her to move unless she wanted to stumble.

The unfolding interplay fascinated Cal unwillingly. She felt more than saw Relian take the seat to her right. By now, the whole hall was witness to the ongoing interaction. No one seemed unduly concerned. What a relief.

The king leaned down to Maggie after seating her. “My lady, I see we are going to keep each other on our toes. It’s stimulating to have someone to engage thus in my old age.”

Maggie recovered her voice and gave him a sour look. “Yes, I’m sure you need a human to keep you on your toes.”

A hand on her forearm startled Cal, and she turned to Relian, pasting a questioning look on her face. His features had returned to their neutral mask, though when he talked, his voice retained a measure of warmth. “I fear my father enjoys getting a rise out of your friend. Sometimes, I don’t know who is the father and who is the son.” He gave a slight chuckle in seeming wonder.

The strangeness of it all struck her again, but the fact the relationship between parent and child wasn’t so very different here comforted her. Annoyance, but also love, existed between Relian and his father. No, in this way, at least, they were similar.

As if reading her thoughts, Relian asked, “Humans also behave so, do they not?”

Gracing him with a small smile, she nodded. “We do. Sometimes, especially when we age, the distinction between parent and child is blurred.”

He swept his arm out to encompass the room. “As we do not age much beyond what you see here, many times over the years I’ve felt every bit as old as my father.”

Her curiosity peaked. How old was he and, most important, did she want to know? Yes. She’d brave any possible fire to find out that answer. “How old are you?” Realizing she practically demanded the answer, she said, “If you don’t mind telling, Your Highness.” She added his title to the end, not sure how to address him in public.

To her surprise, a smile broke out on his face. “You humans are all so concerned with time, though I suppose it’s to be expected. No, I do not mind, but I don’t know if the truth will serve you well, especially at the dining table. I believe we’ll have to wait awhile before I reveal what you seek.”

She narrowed her eyes, getting lost in his explanation. Was he doing it on purpose? While he always spoke formally, she’d been able to understand him after a moment or two of thought, but now her comprehension appeared to be fading. “Does this mean you’re not going to tell me?”

“Yes, that is what I mean.”

She released her breath in a huff. “Why can’t I know?”

“Humans perceive time from a unique perspective. It is not ours. As you are operating very much on human perception, I don’t believe this is the time or place for such discussion.”

His words grated on her. To her ears, he sounded condescending. “What? You’re saying I can’t understand another perspective of time?”

He turned his head, his face implacable. “I said no such thing. I merely advised time to learn more of our ways before going into such weighty discussions. After all, that’s what truly sets elf and man apart—immortality. Many humans in the past could or would not accept that fact, and fear all too soon followed.” He didn’t talk further.

Her heart sank. She apparently touched upon a sensitive subject. An apology might dampen his displeasure. Lord, was that all they did—apologize to each other? They weren’t setting a very good precedent. “I’m sorry I pushed.”

Seeing the puzzlement on his face, she faltered. Could he understand her? And what did it mean if he couldn’t? Cal began again, this time a little bit louder. “I’m sorry I pushed for an answer. You’re right. I know virtually nothing of your ways.”

The confused slant of his eyebrows relaxed. Was it her imagination, or did his face soften?

“Think not on it, my lady. You will learn.”

Servants, wearing a gray livery consisting of tunic and leggings for males and a dress for females, carried in large platters of food. They brought the platters around and allowed everyone to serve themselves.

Cal’s mouth watered at the tempting variety set before her. There were some breakfast meats, but the widest assortment consisted of breads, pastries, cheeses, and fruits. A small grin crept over her face. Maggie smiled back, though she’d been unnaturally quiet since entering the great hall and the king’s watchful eye. They often didn’t come across wholesome food at home or school. Maybe the veritable feast before them would ease their worries for a while.

She glanced around the table, taking in the lords and ladies arrayed there. For the most part, they stared with an open curiosity devoid of any hostility, except for the occasional elf. One in particular, a black-haired male who looked too much like Relian for comfort, glared as if he wanted to smite her.

Iciness shivered down her spine. She’d be avoiding that one. Relian seemed friendly in comparison. And that was saying something, considering his mixed signals.

The aroma of food forced her attention back to the table. Her stomach rumbled. Relian leaned in close, his breath hot against her cheek. His hand stroked down her arm. She forced herself to hold still, though inwardly her body squirmed from the excitement and agitation exploding in her veins. He had her so worked up, she itched to grab him and lay a big one on—

“I hope the food will be to your liking. I’m afraid we do not know what is eaten in your world.”

Cal offered a weak smile, hands and shoulders tensed to stop the shaking his proximity caused. Had he noticed anything? Nothing probably got by those eyes of his. “I’m sure it’s fine. We aren’t picky eaters.” She glanced at Maggie, her eyes begging her to enter the conversation.

Maggie shot a grin at Cal, her eyes sparkling alarmingly, before she turned that charming smile on Relian. “Whatever is served is fine as long as it’s not sushi.” Her nose scrunched up in distaste. She gave the king a look of distrust, her eyes roaming over the platters.

Cal fought back an eye roll at this display. She doubted anyone here but she and Maggie knew what sushi was. “You probably don’t have to worry about that here.”

Throwing the amused-looking king one more wary glance, Maggie nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re right. It’s not really a breakfast food, anyway.”

Kenhel, seated by Maggie and across from Relian, seemed fascinated by the mention of this new food. “I almost dread to ask what this sushi is by the expression on your face, Lady Maggie, but find I want to know.”

Relian shook his head. “You are ever as curious as a child.”

Kenhel preened. “Ah, thank you, that is why I know so much more than you.”

“Really? I don’t ever remember this quest for knowledge stretching to the studies that our tutors assigned us. I believe I constantly surpassed you.”

“Well, naturally. I was referring to studies that can only be learned through observation and discussion.”

“Let me guess,” a droll Relian replied. “Through the observation of and the resulting flirtation with ladies.”

“How well you know me!” Kenhel clutched at his heart in mock delight.

“Let us now eat,” Relian cut in before Kenhel could add any more melodrama. “Everyone is waiting for us to begin. You can have your explanation while the ladies eat.”

Chapter 16

This garden beckoned to Cal, just like the others on the palace grounds. She reached out, touching some prickly-looking bush gently. It stung slightly but didn’t tear the skin. Cal welcomed the sensations, the discomfort more real to her than the events controlling her life. This she could deal with but the other....

Cal spared a glance at this “other.” He felt very real walking next to her, she had to admit with chagrin. She didn’t want to spend time alone with him, no matter how short. Relian was dangerous, to her heart and mind. But until Maggie returned from changing her dress, she was stuck with him. Mirth and pity welled up at the remembrance of how Maggie spilled juice down her gown. Her friend had been jumpy during the meal, not that Cal had been much better herself. Fortunately, she’d managed to keep her gown free of food and drink.

Now, though, she almost wished she’d dumped something on it. At the thought of honey, fruit, and other foodstuffs smeared on her grand gown, she fought down an irrational spate of giggles. That would have been a sight: a future-maybe-princess dirtying her gown. Yes, that would’ve gone over well with these elegant people. But it would’ve been worth it just to get away from him. And his damned handsomeness.

“I believe breakfast went as well as it could.” Relian had been quiet for some time, so he shook her from her thoughts rather abruptly.

She couldn’t keep the shock from her voice. “Was that before or after Maggie spilled her drink on herself and Kenhel? Or was it the disastrous introduction to the few members of your father’s court seated nearby that you refer to? Please tell me because I don’t know.”

A faint smile played over his face. “I quite think that Lady Maggie was disappointed her drink chose another victim besides the king to drench. Instead, it had the bad grace to land on Kenhel. My illustrious father wouldn’t have been pleased to be so inundated, so I’m glad Kenhel took the flood for him.”

Cal released one of the giggles that bubbled up again. “Yes, I think you’re right. Her face said it all, didn’t it?”

“As humans, you wear your emotions on your face—Lady Maggie even more so than you.”