Page 131 of Pretense

“Actually, I had a different idea.” Jalissa reached up and touched one of the flowers that Melantha had fastened in place. With her magic, the flower sent out shoots to twine through both the tiara and Jalissa’s braided hair, tiny leaves and flowers sprouting at intervals to complement the stone flowers in the crown. When she was finished, the tiara was held securely in place by a small, subtle crown of flowers.

Melantha brushed her fingers against the back of Jalissa’s neck, a soothing tide of her magic flowing into her. “Just in case wearing stones on your head gives you a headache.”

“Linshi.” As Melantha stepped back, Jalissa half-turned in her seat and caught her sister’s arm, halting her. “I mean it, isciena. Linshi. I am glad to have you here.”

“I would not wish to be anywhere else.” While Melantha still had a hard edge sharpening her eyes and her posture, that hint of iciness no longer felt like a wall to keep others out, but a strength to let people in. Dressed in leather and wearing her troll queen diadem, her bearing suited her more than ever.

Melantha had found where she belonged in the far northern mountains of Kostaria. And, today, Jalissa’s place of belonging would change and grow with Edmund at her side. She wasn’t sure what place they would find for themselves, but they would create it together.

A knock tapped on the door, and a moment later Rheva stuck her head in. “Melantha, are you able to step away? There seems to be some argument over where to put our troll guests, and I believe Weylind and Rharreth could use your help.”

Melantha grimaced and hurried toward the door. “It must be serious if Rharreth cannot handle it by himself. Isciena, I will return when I can.” Without waiting for Jalissa’s answer, Melantha hurried after Rheva.

Before the door could swing all the way closed, Farrendel knocked on it, his eyes squeezed shut even though the door was only open a sliver. “May I come in?”

“Yes, everyone’s decent!” Essie called back.

Jalissa indulged in a smile at that. How she loved having a human sister-in-law who would shout out what an elf would be too proper to say.

Farrendel peeked through the crack in the door, as if he was not positive he should enter, before he eased the door fully open. Crossing the room, he rested his hands on Essie’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “How are you?”

Essie laughed as she leaned her head against the back of the chair to look up at him. “Just fine. The same as I was an hour ago when you last asked.” Essie glanced to Jalissa. “Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do if he didn’t have his classes at Hanford University to keep him distracted.”

“You were warned that I would hover.” His smile, though a tad sheepish, did not look at all repentant. After pressing another quick kiss to Essie’s forehead, Farrendel turned to Jalissa. “You look beautiful, isciena.”

“Linshi.” Jalissa smoothed the skirt of her white dress. Another nod to Escarlish culture, since elves did not have such a tradition regarding the color of the bride’s dress, though light green or blue were the most common colors. “With all the wedding preparations, I have not had a chance to ask. How are your classes going, shashon?”

Farrendel grimaced and glanced at Essie. “We survived.”

Essie shook her head, sharing a look with Farrendel before turning back to Jalissa. “The first couple of weeks were rough, but Iyrinder’s presence helped immensely. Though we all know why he has developed such an interest in human learning and culture. Isn’t that right, Iyrinder?” At this last, Essie raised her voice.

Standing just outside the door, Farrendel’s guard Iyrinder briefly glanced over his shoulder before he focused on the hall once again. “I have no comment, amirah.”

Essie grinned, and Jalissa just shook her head. It was good to see more elf-human romances starting to flourish, and a part of her wanted to take credit for it. She and Edmund proved that Essie and Farrendel’s romance was not just an anomaly.

“The eshinelt has been prepared, and Machasheni is waiting to finish it with you.” Farrendel gestured to the room across the hall from where Jalissa, Essie, Paige, and Edmund’s macha currently gathered.

Jalissa started to stand, then froze, turning to Essie. “I am so sorry we never gave you the eshinelt. You should have been allowed to at least complete the bride’s part of the ceremony and stir it, even if you had no magic to add.”

Essie shrugged, her hands resting on her rounded belly. “It’s fine. Really. I don’t have magic. There was nothing I could have added to it, unless I spat in it or something.”

“Essie.” Farrendel’s nose wrinkled, his eyes widening in horror. “You do not spit in the eshinelt. That would be…would be…”

“Sacrilegious?” Essie gave that smirk that said she knew very well she was teasing Farrendel.

“Yes. And unsanitary.” Farrendel grimaced. “That eshinelt was painted on my face.”

“You shouldn’t be so appalled. Your magic would have sanitized it.” Essie waved her hand, as if brushing away his concerns.

Farrendel turned to Jalissa. “I do believe you spared me in keeping the eshinelt far from her.”

Jalissa could have hugged them. It seemed Farrendel knew exactly what Essie was doing in teasing him, and that was make sure Jalissa did not spend her wedding burdened by guilt over how she had treated Essie back then.

“Still, I am sorry.” Jalissa halted next to Essie and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I gave you such horrible advice before your elven wedding.”

Even now, she cringed. Had she really told Essie not to fall in love with Farrendel? Ugh. She would gladly give herself a good shake for that one.

But Essie did not seem bothered by the memory. Instead, she patted Jalissa’s hand, smiling at her. “I understood the sentiment, even if you could have worded it better. You wanted me to take care of your brother’s heart. It is the same thing I want from you for my brother.”

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