I do apologise for the lateness of my update. I was moving back to university to start a new year and then problems started to arise. Hopefully that is all sorted now and I will have time to start writing again. Anyway I would like to thank you all who have reviewed, it as been frustrating not being able to stick another chapter up for you guys!

Chapter Ten – Duel over Dinner

Thom felt very smug indeed as he walked along to his mother's evening dinner with Emilie at his side. If his da wasn't escorting them, to make sure that Thom arrived on time, then he would be skipping down the empty hallway leaving dignity behind forever.

He was banking on this dinner being a success in more ways than one. Firstly by arriving with beautiful Emilie in tow then he was sending out a clear message to Nataila that he taken. Then with Emilie sweet nature, his ma would soon find Emilie charming and become friendly towards her and lastly Emilie would be able to breathe easy as the famous Lioness did not spear her with a sword for falling in love with him.

He glanced over to see a quiet, reserved Emilie walking daintily beside him. She had fixed herself in a deep green dress which was not flamboyant at all and served to be comfortable than showy yet she still managed to pull off an air the elegance with it. Her short hair was flicked under her cheekbones with one or two diamond drops drawing the hair off and out of her face.

Noticing that his father was strangely, deeply interested in the architecture on their journey, Thom bent down and whispered, "You look extremely stunning," into Emilie's ear which caused a faint blush to appear on her face.

"You look menacing", she replied while raking her green eyes up and down his dark robes, "are you trying to put women off flirting with you? I'm sorry to say that some would be desperate enough to encourage the wrath of a black mage."

Thom laughed which made his father swivel his head round to see what was happening and Thom saw his eyes flickering between the both of them as if he was assessing a battlefield. Soon enough his father returned gazing at the walls and Thom remained quiet, although it did not stop him from entwining his fingers with Emilie until they reached the door.

Before his da made an entrance he stopped and turned around. Thom looked slightly perplexed at his actions and waited for an answer. His father was staring at Emilie with very sharp eyes as if weighing up the options of buying an expensive horse. Thom could not understand this odd situation however he had to keep his anger in check at the cold treatment Emilie was receiving.

Then his da stared at him for a period, searching for something but Thom didn't know what.

He must know! But how! Please Goddess don't let him know! What if ma knows and I'm sending Emilie to her death…got to get her to safety! You are a BLACK MAGE! Stand up for Mirtho's sake!

Then the Baron's voice interrupted Thom's random thoughts, "I see that you both care for one another deeply and I must say this," Thom's heart stopped beating, "that I approve."

Thom let out a huge sigh which he never knew he was holding. "How did you know da?"

"My son", George eyes twinkled, "I've seen the changes in you since Midwinter. You have become your own self and that transition only occurs with a woman's involvement." The Baron smiled at Emilie wholeheartedly. "I'm just thankful that a lovely lady like Emilie could ever believe that she might love you," he winked at her and earned a glare from Thom.

"Stop flirting," Thom ordered sternly.

His father held up his hands in a sign of peace whilst chuckling at Thom again.

"I knew given the chance you two would gang up on me", Thom muttered as he glared at both of them.

"I haven't even said anything", exclaimed Emilie who was holding in her laughter as best as she could.

"I could sense you were about too."

"Oh dear, married life is going to be so boring if you know me so well now", voiced Emilie sadly.

"That is because I am the enigma in this relationship", Thom puffed out his chest while Emilie gave in to her giggles.

"You are engaged then?" asked George in a surprise tone.

"Well…not exactly," Thom murmured, "we thought that …to be official…"

"With a ring."

"Needed ma's consent first…"

"If that's possible."

"Which it is."

"It would be easier to contact the Gods for their blessing than have your mother favour me, a court lady, than a trained warrior," Emilie said exasperated. "Pardon me Baron, I spoke out of turn."

"But necessarily all true", replied Thom's father, "that's why I love her."

Emilie smiled shyly at the Baron, embarrassed that she had insulted his wife and maybe future mother – in – law.

"Come, lets go in and have dinner and see how the lands lay", ushered the Baron.

Emilie walked in but Thom was held back by his father for a slight second. "If you truly believe that you love Emilie, then fight for her because your ma will find it hard to understand your choice."

His father left him a few seconds to regain his mind's focus before following him into the Lioness' den. It's a battle I am going to win, father because I do love her…enough to risk and lose everything if that's what it takes!

To say that his mother had been slightly surprised at the guest appearance of Emilie would have been an understatement. Her violet eyes narrowed in disagreement and she replied only very stiffly to Emilie's small attempts at conversations.

Thom was extremely thankful to his da for trying to smooth things over saying that he always enjoyed large numbers for dinner as it gave him ample excuse to ignore the people that completely bore him. Lord Malfour chuckled at the comment and introduced Emilie to his niece.

Nataila face tense at the meeting of Emilie of Queenscove and said the barest minimal greeting that was required for someone of higher rank. Thom had brief eye contact with Emilie afterwards and read through her passive innocent façade. He smiled warmly at her and winked until his mother escorted him personally to the table where dinner was to be eaten.

To his great disappointment, Emilie was placed out of reach for him to even make polite conversation. As she was guided towards a seat near his mother and Lord Malfour, Thom was left to be indulged with the company of Nataila.

This is NOT a good sign, he thought to himself as he stared longing down the table at his beloved. Tonight is turning out to be a disaster…please keep Emilie safe from ma, Goddess please.

"I see that you have brought a chaperon", Nataila murmured huskily low for Thom's ears only.

Although Thom lightly shivered, it was not of enjoyment but of disgust.

"A pretty little thing…but insipid creature compared to the passion we have together."

"Had, Lady Nataila, it was in the past", Thom replied in the same soft voice, "a place where I hope it will remain."

Nataila looked a tad annoyed at Thom's strong denial of not wanting to continue but she did.

"You only brought that court lady as a ruse for my benefit darling", she purred as her hand went wandering under the table cloth. "You're playing a mean game."

"You are disillusioned," replied Thom with more force and he grabbed her hand roughly and accidentally slammed it onto the table which earned him a few curious glances his way. His mother looked quizzingly but his da gathered her attention away from him. Thom was astonished to see Lord Malfour focus not on him but Nataila and Emilie just raised her eyebrows in question which made him give a mock glare in her direction.

"You have a lot of strength and energy I see still", Nataila murmured, "I always loved that about you. You had stamina."

"Please may we discuss something else", forced Thom out in a polite manner, "I would like to eat my meal without having the fear that I'll throw up."

Emilie would be proud of me with that put down. Take that you lying, cheating bitch who broke my foolish heart!

Nataila eyes widened and she uncomfortable shifted in her and became very busy eating her slightly cold meal. Thom could see the anger in her posture which made him feel guilty for his sharp tongue but nevertheless relieved that he had finally stopped the unwanted attention. Settling down to his own dinner, Thom was able to glance down the table to see how his ma and Emilie were bonding without being disturbed by Nataila.

It was not going well. In fact, Thom looked concerned that Emilie was silent and totally focused on her drink while his mother was ranting on some topic. Thom cursed himself for being so far away to hear what was being said, then he remembered that being a black mage had benefits.

Murmuring a spell under his breath, and direction his hand under the table to the slat shaker on the table which was near the Lioness, Thom now had the prefect position to hear everything.

He was right, his mother was ranting.

"I still can't understand why families are sending their daughters to court with large amount of money and little skills to live in the palace. They seem only intent on the social aspect of life," Alanna glanced meaningfully at Emilie who politely smiled in return.

"I don't understand why many have not allowed their female relations to join King's Jonathan range of vocations like the Queens' Riders…I'm even surprise that most woman don't even have a basic understanding of combat skills. What do you think Lady Emilie?"

Emilie smiled again which Thom noticed was slightly forced. "I believe that there is an important role which court ladies do, my lady. It might not be to your taste…"

"Do you practise in any defence skills?", interrupted Alanna.

"No."

"Why ever not!" His mother false surprise was sickening and Thom felt nauseated by it.

"It is a personal choice", Emilie stated with clarity and left no room for negotiation. Thom's heart went out to Emilie, after losing two brothers to the Immortal War, Emilie could not stand weapons, too much pain associated.

"I see", commented Alanna while turning to George to seek his opinion.

Thom boiled inside. You don't see at all! How can you be so cruel!

Lord Malfour coughed and drawn the attention away from the awkward silence. "George, could you show me that map that we were talking about, if you have finished your meal."

"I would be delighted."

Thom lost the rest of the conversation as he felt a pressure on his arm, ending the spell Thom faced Nataila once more with an enquiring look.

"I want to inform you Thom," Nataila smiled secretly up at Thom, showing off her chest and fluttering her eyes, "that you might think that you like that Emilie but I know that we have passion…I'm going to proof it."

Tom stared at Nataila with complete bewilderment while his mind did a run for the mountains.

"You're leaving us so soon Lady Emilie", called out his mother which blocked Thom's vivid imagination. He sharply turned around to see Emilie giving a polite face and murmuring a greeting of thanks towards both his parents. He felt eternally gratitude for his father giving Emilie a small hug before letting her disappear.

Thom suddenly stood up from his place at the table and moved with the intent in catching Emilie. He was blocked by his mother.

"Where are you going dear?" Alanna enquired, "you'll be leaving Nataila without any company."

"I'm sure she is able to entertain herself, she could in the past", Thom commented scathingly and made to walk around the Lioness.

Again he was blocked.

"I hope that you are not going to chase Lady Emilie."

Thom thought about telling a fib but realised it was about time to stand up for what he wanted.

"Yes I am ma because I know that she is upset since you had to be so heartless as to bring up the whole aspect of fighting", Thom said deadly, "How could you forget that the Queenscove have lost two sons?"

Alanna face was surprised but turned quickly to anger. "She's not the only one to lose someone."

"But she is the only one in this room to lose family, ma. I love you ma, but tonight you lost all the respect I held for you. I thought you would understand that being different should not matter but seemingly it does when it doesn't include a blood bath."

Without wanting to hear anything more, Thom swept out of the room.

XXXXX

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