6. Vera
Vera
Isearch for a crown… but the only people I see are speaking near the head of the table and I immediately spot Ikar’s familiar face—no king in sight.
It’s only been a day since we’ve been apart, but I savor his presence as if it’s been months.
He’s clean shaven, and his hair has been freshly trimmed.
I imagine that when I stand a little nearer, I’ll see that the storminess that’s usually only a mere hint in his blue eyes will be drawn out by the dashing gray suit he wears.
I find the cut of it seems to enhance his broad shoulders and trim waist and looks much too fine.
And somehow I just know he smells as good as he looks.
My mouth suddenly feels uncomfortably dry.
Rupi flaps her wings against my neck impatiently. I gather my wits about me and make my way toward the group, shoulders back, careful to shove all signs of worry beneath the weight of this awful white dress.
Halfway there, Rupi loses patience and soars from my shoulder straight for Ikar.
He grins as she flutters to his shoulder and comfortably shuffles up close to his neck, settling in as if she plans to never leave.
I just know she’s going to carry his scent on her when she returns to me, leading to a torturous night. We’re going to have a chat, she and I.
“Welcome, Vera. Thank you for joining us.” I see the flash of appreciation in his eyes as he takes in my appearance, but I’m disappointed when he doesn’t move to stand by me, though I know I shouldn’t be. He’s my boss now, and apparently, one of the king’s favorite officers.
If I thought he looked comfortable at Mama Tina’s, he looks completely at home and more at ease than I’ve ever seen him here.
Other than Mama Tina’s house party, where I still believed he was a criminal, I’m used to seeing him with some type of gore on his clothing, dirty, and at times, injured.
It was easy to believe we were equals, but now I know we never were.
I don’t know this side of Ikar, the side that’s not a criminal and one who is at home in the high king’s castle.
I find myself curious and more than a little unsure.
He begins introductions with a beautiful brunette to his right. “This is our head originator, Nadiette.”
Her smile is warm, but her green eyes are cold—like a viper.
I plan to avoid her at all costs. She sidles up beside Ikar, close enough that I’d assume there’s something between them except he steps away, putting an extra inch or two between them.
Ikar has never said anything about a significant woman in his life and isn’t indicating she is one, but a flash of jealousy I have no right feeling stabs me in the gut.
I’m irritated that I want to know every detail of their history.
I smile in what I hope looks a mature and confident way even though it feels like I just sucked on a lemon, and nod at her. Then I turn my attention to the man Ikar introduces next.
“This is Jethonan, Head Advisor.”
Jethonan smiles and bows grandly in his deep green robes. His long hair swings forward with the motion, and when he rises again, he says brightly, “It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
A genuine smile turns my lips up as I nod. I like him already.
Ikar gestures toward the next two men. “And, of course, you know these two, unofficially. Darvy and Rhosse.”
I nod to both with an embarrassed sort of smile. I mean, it was my fault they almost got devoured by a river monster.
Then Ikar gestures toward me. “Everyone, this is Vera, the originator who will be joining us on our journey.” He reaches a hand up to where Rupi is still snug against his neck. “And this is Rupi. She’ll be joining us as well.”
Nadiette lifts a brow as if she thinks it’s ridiculous. I sort of want her to have the opportunity to experience one of her quill stabs, but Rupi appears more than content to stay with Ikar, so I ignore her and turn my attention to Darvy and Rhosse.
“I’m happy to see the two of you alive. I’m sorry for what happened.” My cheeks flush.
Darvy speaks up. “No apologies necessary. Neither of us were too badly hurt, and it’s given me another story to add to my repertoire.” He smiles in a charming manner, and a dimple appears in his cheek.
I laugh. “I’d like to hear your version of the story.”
I notice Ikar cast a quick look at Darvy and the dimple quickly disappears.
Rhosse chuckles. “We hear you and Ikar have quite the story to share as well.” He motions with a hand to the waiting table. “Shall we hear it over dinner?”
We move toward the table, and I’m giddy when it appears it will only be the six of us dining.
I breathe a sigh of relief—the king won’t be hovering over us with his heavy, wicked presence during dinner after all.
I immediately feel myself loosen up, my smile widening and my lungs taking what feels like a full breath for the first time today.
We take our seats in the plush, luxuriously cushioned chairs.
Ikar pulls Nadiette’s chair out like the gentleman he is, then seats himself beside her.
Darvy pulls my chair out with another charming smile, minus the dimple, and sits to my left.
I end up across from Ikar at the end of the table, nearest the head seat that sits conspicuously empty, but I certainly won’t be the one to comment on it.
Rupi hops to a small silver tray filled with a fancy variety of seeds, fresh berries, and other fruits she favors. Ikar had to have planned this. My already softened heart melts further. He’s apparently going to make himself as hard as possible to resist. The scoundrel.
I look up from Rupi happily pecking through the tray to find Ikar watching me.
Our eyes meet, but rather than a quick glance, something about the way he looks at me forces me to hold his gaze and takes me straight back to the dim hallway at Mama Tina’s where we shared our first kiss just days ago.
Does he think of that night as often as I?
Heat stains my cheeks, more pronounced by the color I wear, I’m sure. Another reason to avoid white.
Servants bring out the first course, and I take the interruption to dip my head and gather myself.
Darvy turns toward me slightly after our food has been placed before us.
“You arrested our highest commanding official, you know. That’s not something I think most people would have the bravery to do.
Very commendable.” He smiles in such an endearing way I can’t help but grin in response.
He’s handsome with his mussed light-brown hair, cropped on the sides and longer on top, and green eyes brimming with mirth.
He’s filled with boyish charm. If I weren’t still battling feelings for Ikar, this man would be dangerous.
“I was told he was a Class A criminal.” I shrug in an unladylike way before I can catch myself. “Work is work.”
Rhosse chuckles, and I notice a glint of what looks like approval in his eyes before he takes another bite.
Rhosse is also handsome, in a dark and rugged sort of way.
He’s taller and broader than both Ikar and Darvy, which is impressive.
At first glance, his black hair, size, and the broody looks, combined with the scar across his eyebrow, all lend a dangerous air about him, but I’m beginning to see that beneath it all he’s kind.
Admittedly, he would also catch my eye if I passed him on the street.
I’m not sure how I’m supposed to manage on my own with three magnificent-looking men for the next who-knows-how-many days, but I suppose I can do it. For the kingdom, of course.
“I can’t imagine being in such a… rugged line of work; it must be so hard,” Nadiette says with a velvety voice. I know it’s intended to be an insult. No decent originator would choose to work with hunters, roaming dark, dangerous forests for criminals—they’re too busy clambering for the top.
“I rather enjoy it,” I drawl with a confident half-smile, knowing it will annoy her. I don’t usually fall into these petty games with other women, but something about her irks me.
I meet Ikar’s eyes again and catch another glimpse of open attraction before he shutters it away—as if it escaped and I wasn’t supposed to see it. Feelings I shouldn’t be feeling curl in my belly.
“You two.” Nadiette suddenly speaks again, drawing our attention. With effort, I mask my irritation. She looks between Darvy and Rhosse. “How did you survive the river?”
Darvy finishes a bite, uses the fancy linen napkin to pat his lips, and, with a humorous light in his eye, begins. “It all started with a list of Black Tulips that Vera ruined…”
Nadiette’s spoon clatters into her soup, and my wide eyes betray me by jumping straight to Ikar’s before I realize that was the last thing I should have done.
His gaze holds mine like a vise. I feel the promise of questions to come, and I swallow with a throat so tight I nearly choke. Drat Darvy for reminding him.
I pull my eyes from Ikar’s, busying myself by lifting a spoon of warm broth to my lips, which was a mistake.
The spoon visibly shakes in my grasp, and drops spill over the sides.
Ikar watches intently. I’ve already committed, so I sip it ever so slowly, more relieved than I should be that it goes down without causing more of a scene.
With the break in eye contact, I can actually listen to Darvy’s regaled story, and I can’t help but laugh over his detailed and dramatic retelling of the goblin situation that has me relaxing until, soon, thoughts of the Tulip list have once again been tucked safely away.
I hardly have time to eat before the course is cleared and the next placed before us.
Darvy turns to Rhosse when he finishes the tale. “Anything to add?”
Rhosse smirks. “Think you covered it all, and more. All that matters is we’re alive.”
Nadiette laughs as she catches my gaze, as if we’re the best of friends just because we’re both women.
She’s wrong. “Men. Always downplaying the most dangerous things.” Then she changes the subject rather abruptly, keeping her attention on me.
“So you arrested Ikar after that? And it was just the two of you?” She acts nonchalant, but I see the tips of her fingers whiten around the delicate fork she holds.
I take a sip of wine in a fancy glass with the tiniest stem I’ve ever held between my fingers. I’m afraid I might break it clean in half. “Yes, and yes.” I set my glass down and dip my head for a bite, but I spy Nadiette’s lips pursed like she drank something sour and nearly laugh into my soup.
Ikar and I take turns sharing the story of our journey, prompting more laughs and disbelief from our group as we argue lightly over details.
Warm tension tugs between us after recounting our journey together, heightened by flashes of eye contact when we’re both silently aware of the parts we intentionally skip to keep to ourselves.
Dinner has long since been cleared from the table and my cheeks ache from so much laughter, and Rupi has made a second and third trip to her tray, always returning to Ikar after.
I find myself feeling something very close to camaraderie with this group, aside from Nadiette, who looks irritated and distant.
But everyone else? I feel as if we’ve been friends for a very long time.
And most impressive, I hardly remember I’ve been dining in the castle for the past two hours.
Rhosse and Darvy start speaking with Nadiette about an incident between a group of soldiers, two originators, and a gloam creature that happened three days ago.
Nothing interests me there, so I turn my attention to Ikar and Jethonan.
“I must say I’m glad to have you back, Your Ma—Commander… ship,” Jethonan stutters momentarily. “I’ve been working on a new weapon, but it’s quite difficult to find the time when I’ve taken on so many duties.” He looks at Ikar pointedly.
Ikar chuckles. “Yes, there are many of them. Will it be ready for me to take when we leave tomorrow?”
Jethonan appears to do mental calculations for an extended moment. “It should be. I’ll try to finish it tonight. There are other matters to discuss, as well, before you leave.”
Ikar nods and sits back in his chair. “We leave early, and it’s growing late. We should head to your office now.”
Before they stand, I can’t help but jump in, curious. “Jethonan, you make weapons?”
His eyes light when he sees my apparent interest. “Some say I’m a wizard, of sorts. But really, I simply enjoy experiments, and that includes creating weapons. Come with us if you’d like.”
“Enter at your own risk,” Ikar says with a smirk.
I laugh. Surely he’s joking.