18. Ellowyn
Chapter 18
Ellowyn
“ M aestro,” I called. “Something fast, please.” The maestro nodded as the orchestra began a fast-paced number that would allow me to stretch my legs and move for once tonight. “I don’t know how well I can dance in this”—I gestured to my dress—“but I will do my best,” I told Torin.
“I’m sure it will be fun either way,” he said with a smile as the dance began, “after all, it’s with you.”
After that, there wasn’t much time for conversation as we danced for three songs straight, Torin or I constantly gesturing for another to begin. As we danced, more couples joined us. Even Peytor joined with one of the ladies seeking his attention tonight. I laughed as I twirled, my earlier woes forgotten. I tripped on my dress more than once, but Torin took it all in stride. Maybe it was the dancing, or maybe it was Torin, but I finally felt light and happy for the first time tonight. A part of me buried deep within glowed contentedly.
As the song ended, Torin leaned in close to my ear. “Find me later tonight,” he said. “I wish to speak with you before declaring my intentions, and I have no doubt that you are going to be stolen from me for the next dance.”
My whole body lit at his words .
He wanted to talk to me!
I laughed giddily before agreeing, and, sure enough, I was swept up in the next dance by one of the suitors from earlier. I didn’t remember his name and found that I didn’t quite care. Lord d’Refan had already rejected his proposal, and I found it easy to stay relaxed when there was no pressure to behave a certain way.
I danced continually, well into the night. There was a constant stream of people who wanted a moment with me, I even got one of the stoic Mages standing guard around the ballroom to dance at one point. Though the General’s darkened and slightly murderous expression aimed my direction dampened the mood a bit. I had little time to dwell on it, however, as I was swept up into yet another dance.
After what felt like hours, I had to politely decline the next offer in favor of finding something to drink and a seat to momentarily rest my feet. I carefully made my way back to my place at the head table, weaving in and out of dancing and laughing couples while exchanging small pleasantries with those who caught my eye.
Once I finally reached my chair, I sat with a loud huff and audibly groaned when my feet were relieved from the pressure of standing. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, placing a glass of cold water against my forehead. I fanned myself, trying in vain to not call attention to my sweaty countenance.
This dress is HOT. I had sweat dripping down my back and pooling in uncomfortable places. Even the manufactured breezes from the Air Mages couldn’t dispel the warmth generated from feverous dancing.
“Having fun?”
The question caused me to jump in surprise and I spilled a bit of water on my dress. I had completely forgotten about Lord d’Refan sitting next to me. I tried to quickly mop up the water with a linen napkin, but only succeeded in becoming more flustered as I felt his unwavering gaze on the side of my face.
“Yes, I am, thank you. It is my birthday, after all,” I said, setting the napkin down on the table with my glass of water.
I turned my head to face him. He was leaning against the table, his head propped against his fist. His demeanor looked relaxed, but his tight facial expression told a different story .
“Why? Should I not dance with guests who came here for me?” The bold question was out of my mouth before I could stop it. Lord d’Refan’s lips quirked in response.
“You haven’t danced with me yet. Am I not one of your guests?” His gaze was sharp and almost accusatory.
I cocked my head at him. “Jealous?”
“Yes. I am,” he answered immediately, and I reared back at his words.
“There’s an easy fix for that, Alois.” I purposefully used his first name, even though all sense of propriety wanted me to call him Lord d’Refan.
His smile was positively predatory as he lithely rose from his seat. I was once again struck by how dangerous this man was. He extended his hand to me in a quarter bow.
“May I have this next dance, Miss Ellowyn?” he purred.
I nodded mutely before placing my hand in his. Unlike when I touched Torin, I felt no shock or spark from Lord d’Refan, only a sense of general unease. The room seemed to go silent as he led me to the dance floor, a steady buzz filling my ears as we walked. I mistakenly made eye contact with Torin as we slowly made our way through the crowd and instantly wished I hadn’t. His brow was pinched and his mouth flat, uneasiness masking his carefree expression from earlier. Torin’s eyes tracked me and focused on where Lord d’Refan held me until he glanced up and caught me staring at him. He quickly schooled his expression with a wink in my direction before disappearing into the crowd.
“Maestro. A slower number, please,” Lord d’Refan called, “the lady is tired and needs a rest.” The maestro nodded and the orchestra quickly struck a slow ballad. This dance was much more intimate than any I had experienced the entire night, and I felt unnerved that it was with Lord d’Refan. The hour of my Awakening was fast approaching, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted this to be what I was thinking of as I came into my magic.
I absently chewed my bottom lip as Lord d’Refan placed a hand on my lower back and held onto my right. He slowly guided me around the room, steps confident and sure as we twirled. After a few moments, other couples joined us on the floor, but it felt like it was only Lord d’Refan and I.
I felt like a fly caught in a spider’s web.
“So, tell me about yourself, Ellowyn.” Lord d’Refan started with an innocuous enough question, but my guard was raised, certain he would fish for information soon.
“I’m not sure there’s much else to tell other than what you already know, Lord d’Refan,” I answered politely.
“Lies,” he whispered to me for the second time that night, “and we’re back to Lord d’Refan now, are we?”
“Sorry, Alois.”
He smiled tightly at me. “Much better, Ellowyn. But you avoided my question.”
I could tell I wasn’t getting out of his interrogation easily, and I had no doubt that he would continue to have the orchestra play intimate ballads until he got what he wanted from me. I just wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted.
I decided to placate him with easy truths.
“I . . . don’t know, really. I like the lavender fields and the small gardens that surround our homes. I like working in the temple with the acolytes.” The admission sat heavy in my stomach.
Did I really not have any hobbies aside from my parent-approved job and sitting in our manor’s gardens?
The thought troubled me.
“What do you like about it?”
His question caught me off guard—I wasn’t sure that anyone, even Peytor, had asked me that before.
I thought for a moment before answering him. “There’s something that resonates with me in each place. I feel . . . renewed? Happy? Content? When I’m in the gardens or in the temple. I’m at peace, I suppose.” I shrugged lightly at the admission.
Lord d’Refan hummed and was silent for a moment, his gaze raking over my face as he chose his next words.
“Do you believe in Fate, Ellowyn?”
My brow furrowed at the unexpected question. He seemed to have a way of continually surprising me with his curiosity.
Did he mean the god or the idea? I pondered for a moment, but realized my answer was the same either way.
“Yes?” I’m not sure why my answer came as a question and Lord d’Refan laughed at my response .
“I mean, yes. I do. I work in the temple so . . .” I trailed off, not sure where my thought was taking me.
“And what of free will?”
“Are we getting philosophical tonight, Alois?” I teased lightly.
“Can I tell you a story, Ellowyn?”
It was weird that he never answered a question of mine directly, and yet expected me to respond with truth. I bobbed hesitantly, not sure what story he was possibly going to tell me.
“Once upon a time, not long before you were born, there was a place where everyone was given the same opportunity. Children from all walks of life were allowed to learn and choose if they wanted to be Awakened early or wait. There was poverty, sure, but there were ways around that. Everyone was guided by the Keepers and their Matriarch, the Keeper of Memories, and no one thought to question why only the agents of Solace were guiding. Soon, though, cracks started to show. Their guidance turned ill-fated for a family or three because, while they can see glimpses of the future, they cannot discern truth from it. That, Ellowyn, is the job for the agents of Kaos—the Truthsayers. Coincidentally, years previous, the Keepers and their extremist followers sought to eliminate Truthsayers, thinking that no one person should be able to know both the possibility of their futures and have the ability to act upon it to make it reality.”
I blanched at his words.
“Yes, according to the Keepers and their Matriarch, only Fate should be able to influence a person’s decisions. Free will and choice have no place in society. So, with the Truthsayers all but eliminated, the Keepers were left to guide society. It degraded quickly. Because, Ellowyn, there needs to be balance in life. The Truthsayers were the balance to the Keepers but eliminating them threw even the gods out of balance. Eventually, the people rebelled against the Keepers, causing them to flee and hide.”
“I thought some Keepers worked in various courts?”
“Yes, this is true. Some courts requested the use of a Keeper so they could see various futures. But without a Truthsayer to interpret those futures, the information was futile, unusable. This happened for many years until Fate demanded balance once again. Agents of Kaos found the Keepers and once again, attempted to create balance. Now, there is only one Truthsayer left”—he gestured to himself— “but the Keepers still operate from the shadows, influencing, or trying to influence, the lives of people. I’m sure you saw the Keeper strung up in the village?”
I nodded mutely and didn’t tell him that I saw him dragged from his home.
“That is not uncommon and must happen. Fate is continually demanding balance; we just happen to live in a time where the pendulum is swinging back to center.” He let go of my waist momentarily to explain, and I realized that we stopped dancing, the other couples swirling around us. “Sometimes, society lives in a swing toward Solace where everything seems ‘peaceful’ and people are ‘equal.’” He air quoted both words. “Other times, we live in a society where Kaos reigns”—he swung his hand to the opposite end— “and violence and mayhem rule life. Wars start, riots occur, people die. We live in a time where the pendulum is in constant flux.” He moved his hand to pulsate on a shorter leash, back and forth. “Eventually, it will come to rest in the center before some outside force knocks it one way or another again. However, until then, we will experience points of happiness and points of grief in direct contrast and succession.” He dropped his hand before using it to brush a curl from my face. “It’s the way of the gods and what Fate demands.”
Silence hung between us as I digested everything he told me. None of that was information that I had learned before, and my head was spinning. I didn’t know what to think. Lord d’Refan reached out again to rest his hand on my waist, drawing me closer.
“That is why it’s imperative that both the agents of Solace and the agents of Kaos be eliminated,” he whispered quietly, and my eyes went wide, “yes, Ellowyn, even me. Because if we still exist, then the pendulum can never completely rest.”
He would die to see balance in the world?
He smiled at me, and I realized I asked my question out loud. “Yes, Ellowyn. I will die to see balance in the world, but not before the Keepers are reduced as well. Mutually assured destruction, if you will.”
I nodded my head dumbly.
“Ellowyn,” his voice was a seductive whisper and I found myself drowning in his deep black eyes. “Do you know of any Keepers?”
I found myself nodding my head. And a gleam ignited in his eyes.
“Where? ”
I opened my mouth to speak when I was jolted from Lord d’Refan’s hypnotic gaze by a strong hand on my shoulder. The zing at the connection told me that it was Torin, and I was never more grateful for another person’s presence. I was appalled with myself that I had nearly spilled a secret that my mother specifically told me to guard against.
I swallowed audibly before frantically looking to Torin, only to see that he was locked in a furious battle of stares with Lord d’Refan.
“Excuse me, Lord d’Refan, but I was promised a moment alone with Ellowyn before her Awakening and, seeing as it is almost time for her ceremony, I’ve come to collect on that promise.” His voice was hard and unyielding, and it sent shivers down my spine.
“We were in the middle of a conversation,” Lord d’Refan practically snarled at Torin, and I caught a glimpse of the Warlord the rebels so often talk about.
Torin didn’t flinch and just squeezed my shoulder in reassurance.
“I . . . I did promise Torin a quick chat,” I said shakily. The gazes of both men swung to me with my statement.
But Lord d’Refan neither moved nor removed his hand from my waist, his grip tightening to the point it was almost painful. I hissed in a breath and Lord d’Refan relaxed slightly.
“Are you planning on not honoring the agreement, Lord d’Refan?” Torin asked quietly, a lethal purr in his voice that sent shivers down my spine. “I’m not sure how that would look to certain . . . leaders, do you?”
Lord d’Refan released me with a grunt and a short bow. “We will continue this later, Ellowyn,” he said sharply, before striding away, his gait and movements rigid. I was certain he would come to collect on that promise before the night was through. I tracked his movements as guests parted to let him pass as he walked purposefully toward the General. Rohak bent slightly so Lord d’Refan could speak with him privately. Lord d’Refan’s face betrayed the anger he felt, but I could neither hear their conversation nor read their lips from across the ballroom, and the General’s face gave nothing away. After a clipped nod, the General strode from the ballroom, his strides purposeful but graceful. The General turned and met my eyes from across the room and I felt a distinct chill climb up my spine, and I shivered despite myself .
Torin must have seen my body shake because he placed a hand gently and my lower back and leaned to speak in my ear.
“Want to tell me what that was all about?” His voice was soft with no note of accusation, only that of comfort.
I broke my gaze from Lord d’Refan and turned to smile at Torin. I’m sure it was forced, but politeness was paramount in this situation, and I lightly shook my head.
“I’d rather not bother you with trivial matters that don’t affect you, Lord d’Eshu.”
His hand gently guided me to a relatively empty table and the seats that were taken were quickly vacated as their occupants saw who approached. Torin guided me to a seat, patiently waiting until I fluffed my skirts and found a comfortable position before taking the seat directly to my right. He quickly turned the chair so that his body was angled toward me, and he propped his head against his fist as he leaned against the table. Up close, I noticed that his eyes were an interesting hazel with flecks of molten honey, and they currently regarded me with a type of intensity I wasn’t used to.
“See,” Torin said softly, “that’s where you’re wrong, Ellowyn. Everything that concerns you affects me.”
I barked laugh. “Excuse me, Lord d’Eshu, but while we’ve had a wonderful night, we know nothing about each other. That’s quite a statement to make after just meeting someone.”
“Hmm. Yes, though I feel like I’ve known you my whole life.”
“That’s corny.”
“Perhaps.” He smiled and I was once again dazzled by how beautiful he was. His skin was a golden tan that only made his hair appear blonder. His square jaw covered in a light stubble worked as he continued, “But that doesn’t make it any less true.”
I raised my eyebrows slightly before he continued, “But enough of that. Let’s actually get to know one another, as you suggested.”
I inclined my head for him to go on and he sat up straight in his chair, hand extended as if greeting me for the first time. “Hello, Miss Ellowyn, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Lord Torin d’Eshu from the Southern Territories of Elyria. I am a thirty-two-year-old Elemental Mage and not looking for a Vessel, but I am looking for a wife. I have no siblings and my parents are deceased. I enjoy reading and ruffling the feathers of foreign dignitaries.” I gave him a real, deep laugh and placed my hand in his.
“Lord d’Eshu, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you. I will turn twenty-five in”—I glanced up looking for signs of the time—“roughly thirty minutes and will discover my magic at that time as well. I have no clue what I’m looking for, to be honest. It’s my family’s desire to see me married to a kind but influential man. They’d prefer my match to also be my Bonded, but they also take my desires into account.”
“And what do you like to do for fun, Miss Ellowyn?” Torin didn’t release my hand, just stroked his thumb over the top, causing my thoughts to scatter.
“Uh . . . fun?”
“Yes, Ellowyn, fun.”
“Well, I spend a lot of time with Peytor and Finian, he’s a close family friend, practically a brother, and we discuss current events and such. Uhm, I volunteer at the temple and enjoy my time giving back to my community.”
He cocked his head at me. “That’s it? You discuss policy and help with Bond aftercare, which is most likely a duty set by your parents?”
I roughly took my hand from his grip, rather offended by his line of questioning.
“Yes. Not all of us have the ability to simply ‘ruffle feathers’ for fun, Lord d’Eshu. There are certain . . . expectations I must adhere to.”
Torin must have detected the defensiveness in my tone because his eyes went wide, and he placed a hand on my leg. My body zinged at his touch, even through the heavy fabric of my dress.
“I wasn’t trying to offend you, Ellowyn. I’m simply trying to get to know you , not what everyone else makes you to be.” I opened my mouth to object, but he continued before I could. “But, from what little you’ve told me, you’re a passionate person who loves their family immensely, even at the sacrifice of herself and her own desires. It’s an incredibly admirable trait. Loyalty is exceptionally hard to find nowadays.”
I relaxed a bit at his words.
“My family is everything to me,” I said softly, “I would do quite literally anything for them.”
“Yes, I suppose you would. Though I hope that you don’t have to. ”
I opened my mouth to ask what he meant by that, but we were interrupted by my father and brother.
“Ellowyn!” Peytor threw himself on me and enveloped me in a crushing hug. He reeked of whiskey, and I awkwardly patted his back. From where I was pinned by Peytor, I could see Torin rise and shake my father’s hand. “I am miserable. Dria keeps pulling her top down and I don’t want to see her boobs, Ellowyn. I don’t want to see them!” Peytor slurred into my ear.
I laughed and pushed him off me before also rising from my chair.
“I’m sure she has magnificent boobs. Look at them in that dress. They’re just . . . there .” I looked over Peytor’s shoulder and, sure enough, there stood Dria like a silent shadow. Her dress had gotten even lower since the last time I had seen her, and I was certain she was on the verge of a whole tit popping out at this point.
Peytor grasped my chin and pulled my gaze back to him. “Stop looking! It’ll only encourage her!”
Sure enough, Dria took my eye contact as an invitation to approach us.
“Ellowyn!” she said with ridiculously fake enthusiasm as she gave me quite possibly the most awkward hug of my entire life. I heard both Torin and my father chuckle behind me as Peytor tried his best to disappear. “What a lovely party and . . . dress.”
“It is so lovely, don’t you think? I love that it leaves something to the imagination, lets me really dream about what she’s hiding underneath it all,” Torin interjected. I sucked in a breath, worried about my father’s reaction but he only laughed again and patted Torin’s back.
Dria puckered her lips like she ate something sour. “Yes, well, I’ve heard this is all the rage in the South, is it not, Lord d’Eshu?” I decidedly did not like how she eyed Torin.
“Sure, from our bedmates.”
Dria’s face paled completely, and she stuttered an excuse before hurrying away from our group.
“Is that true?” I asked Torin.
“Nope.” His hair flopped as he shook his head. “But I didn’t like the way she was speaking to you, and Peytor looked ready to crawl into a hole. It was the least I could do to put her in her place a bit.”
Peytor practically tackled Torin in a forceful hug and the look of shock on Torin’s face was comical .
“Okay, son, I think that’s enough. Let’s not scare off the poor lord before he even proposes to Ellowyn,” my father said as he separated Peytor from Torin.
“Oh, Lord d’Aelius, that reminds me. I do want to make a formal request to court your daughter,” Torin added once Peytor was separated from him.
My father smiled, the joy reaching his eyes. “Daughter? What do you think?”
“I’d be interested in getting to know him further, yes,” I said instantly.
“Brilliant!” My father roughly patted Torin’s back. “We’ll be welcoming you to the family soon, I’m sure.”
I blushed as I made eye contact with Torin, but he only offered me one of his dazzling smiles and a wink.
“Now, Ell,” my father said as he approached me holding out his arm for me to take. “Are you ready to see your magic?”
I sucked in a breath as I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow.
“It’s time?” I whispered as we walked to the elevated platform set up on the side of the ballroom against the windows.
“It’s time,” he said as we ascended the stairs.