Page 85 of The Flame and the Forsaken

When Erran returnedto the keep, after failing to find Mariel at the beach, an attendant informed him his wife had returned but was being dressed and readied in their apartments, and men were not welcome. Then Khallum called him in on business, which they addressed while getting fitted for last-minute adjustments to their banquet garments, stealing any potential opportunity he might find to speak with Mariel before they were forced into a sea of people and expectations.

For a private event, there were many people in attendance—the merchant class, Khallum explained, the businessmen and women whose support was critical to the peace and prosperity of Warwicktown. Every one of them, Khallum said, were social climbers.

“You could have invited the other stewards if you were set on a big event,” Erran said. He hadn’t stopped searching for Mariel, but she hadn’t arrived yet, and neither had Gwyn nor Korah, whom she’d been getting ready with.

Destin was across the room, talking with Sessaly and Hestia. It was good to see him at ease, like he belonged there. Keeping him grounded and happy—and sober—was the key to keeping Mariel’s secret.

“Nay, because then these men wouldnae feel like they’re on the top of the pile, would they?” Khallum grinned and toasted two such men as they walked by, beaming from the attention. “Besides, who really wants to be here? Not I.”

“Nor I.” Erran laughed. He spotted Yesenia dancing with Corin. It was an odd sight—the Yesenia he remembered wouldn’t so much have lifted a foot in time with the music—but a good one. It would be better if they danced together all night, so Mariel could see the way of things.

“And there is my lovely wife,” Khallum sang, opening his arms wide as Gwyn, looking fetching in a gold gown, stepped forward to accept his embrace. Korah was right behind, swishing by without a hello as she moved to a circle of women on the other side of the floor.

“Where’s—” Erran choked on the word as Mariel entered, her shoulders pinched and unsure. Her dark hair was curled and pinned around her face, decorated with painted silver petals that sparkled under the candelabras. But it was the dress... How they’d found a gown so similar to her impassioned eyes was a trick of magic, surely. Her pale skin peeked above the low neckline, her breasts arced and perfect.

“Breathe,” Khallum jested, leaning in with a laugh.

Erran’s mouth was completely devoid of moisture. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, but Mariel breezed on by without even looking his way.

“Ouch,” Sessaly said, skittering over with a scandalized expression. “Is there trouble between our little island lovers?”

“Sessaly, mind your business,” Erran snapped. “For once.”

“You are a menace,” Khallum said to her. “I say that as your lord as much as your brother’s friend.”

Sessaly curtsied. “Thank you.”

“Wasnae a compliment, lass. I’m not the steward, who’ll endure your antics. You’ll behave here, or you’ll leave.” Khallum swatted the air, and she backed away in stunned contrition.

“Excuse me,” Erran said, breaking away to follow Mariel, but she was already dancing with her brother.

“She’s catching the eyes of every man here,” his mother said, slipping an arm through his. “Including yours. Why are you not with her?”

Erran didn’t know why he told the truth. She wouldn’t understand, and he was certain to regret it. “I think she’s upset about Yesenia.”

“Because you were so tongue-tied when you saw her yesterday?”

“I wasn’ttongue-tied. I found my words fine, thank you.”

“I was being kind. It was worse.”

“Not because...” He checked to be sure Sessaly wasn’t lurking, fishing for more fodder for her friends. “It wasn’t for the reason you and everyone are thinking.”

“Oh?” Hestia sipped her wine, waving and smiling at people as they passed.

“I’m committed to this marriage, Mother.”

“How clinical that sounds,” she replied. “Thoughloveis rather distracting. Perhapscommittedis for the best.”

Erran groaned in exasperation. “Were you not the one who said there was no room for love in a marriage?”

“I said the two are typically exclusive of one another.” She wiggled her gloved fingers at another woman. “Or can be.”

“Do you have anything practical to offer, Mother?”

Hestia’s smile faded when she turned toward him. “And when was the last time any of my lessons landed with you, aye? When you were five?”

“Say what you want to say.” Erran watched, tense, as Mariel moved from Destin’s arms to Khallum’s. “I’m listening.”

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