A/N: Sorry for the delay. The computer was down for almost a month, and I couldn't get to the story. But the computer is back up and running, so let's get back to Daemonar and Orian…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The party had been all Orian could have hoped for, and even more. She had met so many wonderful people there, aristos that she would rarely socialize with in her daily life. None of them had looked down on her even though she wasn't of aristo blood. Her caste trumped that little problem, and most of the people she met seemed genuinely friendly and nice. She had received half a dozen invitations to various events around Kaeleer over the next few months. Lorivar had offered to escort her to all of them, but she had not accepted his offer. As much fun as she had with him that evening, she had to admit it was the image of Daemonar coming down the stairs that she couldn't get out of her mind.
He had been so handsome and charming. Odd for Daemonar. Well, he was always handsome, but he was making an effort tonight to be charming to her, and she had to admit, it had worked in some ways. Oh, not enough to make her forget the boy that she had fought many mud wars with, but enough to make her wonder about the man he was now.
She had spent most of her time with Lorivar, as proper for a Queen with her evening's escort. He had been courteous and charming, a lively dancer, and made introductions to so many people in society that she had vaguely known of, but never met. Some she had known in passing from her time training in the courts, like Karla's Steward and his wife, and Kalush's Court Healer, but this was the first time she had actually socialized with them. Orian had realized how much she had limited herself to Eyrien society, and honestly, she preferred the people at the party to most of the Eyrien parties that she had attended, especially those with Eyrien aristos.
Except for one particular aristo Eyrien. Daemonar had been in the corner of her eye, practically the whole time that she was there. He had danced with a dozen ladies, and chatted with a dozen or more of the male guests. She did her best to pay attention to her escort and the other guests, but even when she couldn't see him, she could feel his presence.
And then Lorivar had excused himself for a moment, and then there was a pause in the conversation she was having, and suddenly Daemonar was standing in front of her, with his left hand offered. The first strains of a waltz were beginning to play. He smiled at her, his gold eyes twinkling. "May I have this dance?"
So she had placed her hand on his so he could properly escort her to the floor. His use of Protocol in taking the subservient position, despite his darker jewel and aristo family, showed everyone in the room that she was a Queen deserving of respect…unless you wanted to answer to a certain young Warlord Prince, who, despite his age, already had a reputation for being the best warrior to come out of Askavi since Lucivar Yaslana. Orian was amused when it hit her later that his gesture had done more for her reputation than all of Lorivar's introductions combined.
When they reached the dance floor, Daemonar had turned her to face him and then took her into the dance. In a waltz, there is a frame that allows personal space between the dancers, or a more technically correct one that has the dancers touching almost from thighs to chest. Orian wasn't surprised at all when Daemonar stepped in close to her, feeling the heat of his body running all the way up hers as they started the steps of the dance. The close frame ensured that he was easily able to lead the dance, even though she knew for a fact that he wasn't skilled at dancing. She had to bite back a smile. Someone had taken some lessons and been practicing in secret.
"Are you having a good time?" she asked.
A low heat flared in his eyes. "I am now."
She blushed. That wasn't what she had meant at all. "Were you so worried about me that you had to come to a party you hated?" She had meant it as a joke, trying to steer them back into a lighter territory. This Daemonar was new to her. This was the Warlord Prince, struggling against his own nature to claim a Queen, and she knew it. No serious discussions tonight. If he staked a claim, then the night could end in a bloodbath. It was part of a Queen's training on how to handle a Warlord Prince, and she thanked the Darkness for every lesson she had learned.
"I am glad to see you," she said
"Really?"
"Everyone has been really nice," she said. "But it's always good to know someone at a party. But I've really enjoyed meeting so many different people. I think it's good for a Queen of even a small village to have exposure to the rest of the realm." She could see the instincts to protect and serve warring. She was letting him know that she needed to be there as a duty to the village or district she would rule. He needed to support her in this, as would any Warlord Prince in her service.
"Yes," he finally said. "You're going to have to deal with different courts. It's good to meet those people on a social level." A smile slid across his features, and he was more the Daemonar that she had always known. "As long as you don't forget where you come from."
Her return smile was more natural they broke apart to do a turn, a spin, and then come back together. "No, you never forget where you come from," she said softly.
"In that case," he said, "would you allow me to escort you to the Winsol party at The Tavern?" He already knew she was coming, Hell's Fire, her family went every year to The Tavern's party, but he wanted to not just hang out with her at the party, but be her official escort. Daemonar's eyes darkened. "Unless you already have an escort."
"No, I didn't," she said, deciding not to tell him of Lorivar's offer to take her to any party of her choosing. "But, yes, I would like for you to be my escort for the evening." The words were formal, but for a Warlord Prince trying to be good, it was better to stay formal and focus on the official Protocol for accepting.
The dance ended and he escorted her off the dance floor. It was their only dance of the evening. She didn't know that was part of his instructions from Daemon. But it worked. She was intrigued on why he had not talked to her again, giving the whole encounter a mysterious, sensual feel that she was reflecting on, even now, in Lorivar's coach as he drove them back to her home.
"You seemed to have a good time," he said, breaking her into the here and now.
She smiled. "Oh, I did. Thank you for inviting me."
He smiled, his gold eyes very warm. "My darling, it was my pleasure, believe me." He hesitated a moment. "Did you enjoy the company?"
Daemonar, she thought, trying to decide how best to answer the question. "Everyone was very nice," she responded. "I knew a few people from my training in other Courts, but it was lovely to see them on a social level."
"I'm glad you liked them," he replied. He took her hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles. "I am afraid that I must confess that I had an ulterior motive to tonight."
"Oh?" Her voice was perfectly neutral.
"I wanted to know if you would like people beyond Askavi. There are many Eyriens that cannot stand to be with others not of their own race."
She laughed. "My best friends are of mixed races. I've played with kindred since I was a baby. Plus I've spent a lot of time in Ebon Rih with Rihlanders, and other races, not to mention my training all over Kaeleer."
"I should have guessed that from an accomplished young Queen," he said. "You see, I was asked to approach you concerning where you will rule. There is a District where the Queen wishes to step down and only rule her home village. The District consists of four medium sized villages and a large town. I can assure you that the District is well-off, and would be able to provide a tithe so that you would be able to live as a Queen should."
Orian's curiosity was peaked. She had received several offers for towns, and a couple of small districts, ones that had maybe three smaller villages in them, but nothing like this. "Where is it?" she asked.
"The District is where the town of Rolla is," he said. "It's…"
"On the border of Little Terreille," she interrupted, her voice flat. "I've heard that some of the foolishness that goes on in Little Terreille made it across the borders. I would not allow that in any place I ruled."
"Exactly," Lorivar said with a smile. "They want a polished Queen, one who learned Protocol with the High Lord's grandchildren, and learned how to be a Queen from the former Queen of Ebon Askavi and her First Circle. And a long-lived Queen would ensure that it would be centuries before a new Queen would rule." He thought for a moment. "Although, this is a more difficult District. If you did well there, there's a possibility you would receive a larger, or wealthier District. Maybe even becoming a Province Queen. Still, they would know that they had a strong, polished Queen to back them for many centuries to come."
Orian fingered her Rose Jewel. "I'm not strong in power," she said. "Do they know that?"
Lorivar's voice deepened became husky and she felt the seductive tendrils creeping from him. Not an intentional seduction spell, but the natural seductiveness that all Warlord Princes held for a Queen. "They know. And they would prefer it if the Queen in question had a dark-Jeweled Consort at her side." His lips brushed over her knuckles, eyes focused on hers.
Orian's breath caught in her throat. "So," she said, her voice breathy, "you and the District are a package deal?"
Lorivar's laugh filled the coach. "My darling, nobody would dream of requiring a Queen to take a specific Consort. They would like you to have dark-Jeweled males as your triangle. But I would ask that you would consider me for your Consort."
Orian felt the heat rising in her cheeks as she thought about what he was saying. "I…I have to think about it," she finally murmured.
"I know," he said. "But while you are thinking on matters, there's one other matter that perhaps I could also persuade you to consider."
She waited, unable to ask.
"Rolla's Queen wishes to step down soon. Before summer, if possible. I know you were planning to make your Offering in late summer, but to take the District; it would have to be sooner. This, of course, means your Virgin Night would need to be moved up as well."
Orian knew her cheeks were flaming red at the moment. She knew what he was about to suggest, and had no idea on how to answer him as a Queen should, in a way that was mature and sophisticated.
Lorivar kissed her hand again. "I would like it, very much, if you would consider me for your consort to see you through your Virgin Night. Even if you do not wish me to accept the Consort's ring later, I would consider it an honor and privilege as a Warlord Prince and your friend to see you through that most important of nights."
Orian was sure her face was going to catch on fire. Protocol, she thought, reminding herself of the hundreds of hours of Protocol lessons she had been through. "Prince Dastol, I have heard your petition, and will consider it with the utmost seriousness," she said formally. "No decision will be made this night, but I will carefully consider the matter and return to you my decision."
Lorivar bowed his head slightly. "I leave the matter in your hands alone," he replied, a proper answer for a Warlord Prince who was allowing his Queen to make a decision without interference. Orian thought there was a slight undercurrent of threat to that statement, and wondered what Lorivar would do if she discussed everything with Daemonar. Sweet Darkness, what would Daemonar do if she told him of Lorivar's offer?
"While you are considering the matter," Lorivar said, "would you allow me to escort you out tomorrow for dinner?"
Her face brightened, and then dimmed. "I can't," she said. "I promised Tersa that I would go Winsol shopping with her."
"It's an all day and night event?"
Orian gave him a dark look. "Tersa doesn't shop like most people. She's got both the energy and sense of a roomful of puppies when it comes to shopping. Plus, her gift list is, well, unusual."
Lorivar was trying not to laugh. "Come now, it can't be that different."
"She shops for the Weaver of Dreams. Even her mother never got the Weaver a Winsol gift. Tersa does. Do you know how many clerks have been terrified of Tersa after hearing that the gift is going to Arachna?"
"No human would dare go there," Lorivar said, her voice deadly serious. "She dares to bring them tribute?"
Orian looked at him, confused. "They taught her the Hourglass's Craft, just as they taught her mother. It's not a tribute, it's a gift. I've been with Tersa a few times when she took it, and the Weaver thanked her for the gift."
Lorivar just stared at her for a moment in disbelief. "You're joking. You've never been there before."
"Not alone," she said, feeling uncomfortable. She forgot sometimes that not everyone had such a diverse upbringing, but Lorivar's gaping was making her feel freakish. "Only with Tersa. And don't worry, I've had more lectures about being on my best behavior with the Weavers from the High Lord than you can ever imagine."
Lorivar wanted to order her to stay away from the Weaver's Territory. Orian could see it in the set of his jaw and the steel in his eyes. But he wanted her to allow him to stake a claim and court her, and giving her orders to stay away from a friend would not be the way to begin their relationship. She patted his hand. "Please don't worry," she said, soothingly, "I'll never go there without invitation. And there's a lot of places I've been that aren't usually hospitable to outsiders. Like Dea al Mon. Nobody goes there without an invitation, and I've been there lots of times. It's just a matter of respecting people's boundaries."
"It's dangerous," he finally said. "How can your family permit you spending time with those..those…"
The air of the coach chilled as his words pricked her temper. "The Lady gave me permission to visit Arachna when invited," she said coolly. "I will not refuse my best friend something as simple as a traveling companion when I've been invited as well."
Lorivar swallowed. "Yes, Lady, I can see that. It's…well, unusual. You can't condemn me for worrying about your safety."
She smiled. No, she couldn't. It was just part of his nature. She patted his hand again to let him know that she understood and wasn't angry about it, but it did make her wonder. Would living with a man make her change? Would she refuse to go with Tersa because he worried? Why would a man who loved her the way she was want her to change something as fundamental as her deepest friendships?
She sighed and looked out the window into the darkness. So much had happened that night. She needed time to process. And may the Darkness be merciful, because she had no idea what she was going to decide.
