CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO #4
Ignoring his more reserved nature, Evylin pushed past Ilain to sweep the young man into her arms next.
He hugged her back readily—an improvement from his typical demeanor—and it felt just like hugging Ryen.
They were different men in so many ways, but Ethenn had become so much of what Ryen had been to Evylin. A friend, a confidant, a brother.
“I don’t like being apart from you two,” Evylin pronounced when she and Ethenn parted.
“We don’t like it either,” Ethenn agreed.
Deckard greeted the couple then as Thom, Brea, and Calyn arrived at their side.
“Then move back East, would you?” Thom said. “It’s boring without you and your obnoxious wife. Oh, hello, Ilain, I didn’t see you there. That’s such a drab dress you’re wearing; you practically blend into the room around you.”
“Ha,” Ilain mocked. “I didn’t miss you at all.”
“I’d be worried if you did.”
Despite their snipes, the pair shared a warm hug.
The troop gradually returned to the table, immersed in greetings and chatter.
Everyone was excited to reunite, eagerly asking each other questions and expressing how much they regretted their separation.
Reyana was more reserved than before her mother’s passing but greeted them all with kindness.
Calyn initiated a discussion with Cris, who readily indulged her curiosity on various topics.
Vayden then introduced them to the other man at his side, Captain Alan Aalgar.
“You probably know my father,” Alan said. “Major Aalgar, the Warrior.”
They were all quite familiar with Aalgar, a fair yet firm trainer who worked his soldiers in a manner similar to Hewitt, though with more professionalism. Thom and Alan hit it off as they discussed the army from a non-magical perspective.
As the final ministers took their seats and the banquet seemed ready to start, Captain Aalgar excused himself, and the troop rushed to find their places around the table.
Small, folded cards indicated each seat’s assigned occupant, and Evylin recognized them as the slips of paper Ilain and Ethenn had been arguing over as they approached.
Though Ethenn held a chair out for Ilain, she settled into the seat up the table, next to Deckard at the head, wearing a superior smirk.
A flicker of cunning passed through Ethenn’s dark brown eyes, and his lips twitched with humor.
He pulled the chair completely out from beneath the table, grabbed the back of Ilain’s seat, and, with one deft show of strength, scooted it over next to Vayden before taking hold of the empty chair and sitting down beside Deckard.
Ilain shot a scowl at her husband. “Sorry,” he said, his tone hardly conveying remorse.
Just as Evylin hoped, the dinner turned out to be an extraordinary feast. Servants continuously presented tray after tray of delicious roasted, cured, and smoked meats, followed by bowls overflowing with potatoes, fresh vegetables, savory soups, and a delightful array of dried and fresh fruits.
Pastries and warm loaves of bread seemed to magically appear just when they were needed.
Their cups were kept brimming with the finest Schonese wine, and the conversation sparkled with life.
Evylin was happier than she’d been in some time, surrounded by her friends and food.
After so long traveling and working for the Alliance, it was refreshing not to think about Allund’s welfare or the looming responsibilities of the future.
For tonight, she could live in the moment with the man she loved, her sister, her brother, their closest friends, and the memories they shared.
Even Deckard relaxed, enjoying the company. She could feel the worry sloughing off him with each passing moment. His shoulders eased, his laughter came readily, and he smiled constantly. Everything was as it ought to be.
And for the first time, Evylin truly understood Deckard’s reluctance to accept the rulership of Loclight Province.
If they became rulers, they would have to part from Ethenn and Ilain for good.
Perhaps they’d meet every year or so for political gatherings like this one, but they would practically be on opposite ends of the country.
Their lives would be distant and separate.
She didn’t want that.
As the servants started to clear the tables, Archministers Dudleye and Essen stood to speak to the audience.
They offered special acknowledgments to the troop who had rescued their country, gesturing toward Evylin and the other honored guests.
The entire room erupted in applause, giving them a standing ovation that made her blush from the attention.
Archminister Dudleye raised his hand to restore order in the room. “Since we’ve all had our fill, please adjourn to the ballroom, where there will be music, dancing, and drinks enough to sate even a kraken’s thirst.”
Laughter rang out as the people rose. Reyana hopped up, kissed her father’s cheek, and hurried off to join her friends.
However, Dudleye continued to speak, his eyes on their table. “Colonel Deckard,” he said, “if you and your team would remain behind, we’d like a word.”