Disclaimer: If I was the author of CCD I would be concentrating on getting more of them written and published… where's Inda? The world and some characters and some general inspiration and basic plot are drawn from SS's CCD series! I claim no ownership of anything other than a compulsive need to write.
Author's Note from Erkith: I'm sorry that this chap comes so far behind the last two. I've had it partially written for the last month or so, but I couldn't bring myself to finish it… so I added a couple thousand more words this last week and, well, here it is!
Erkith
Recap: "You're saying she knew?" Alec asked in horror.
"Of course," came the dry reply.
"She's going to hang us."
Smirking, I started to move away. Eldenwood's last words followed me.
"Well that's the thing. She doesn't really have to. We've already hung ourselves."
I returned to my room with the sweet taste of revenge on my grinning lips.
Betrothed
Chapter 6: Silence and Civility
I was propped on cushions, sipping hot chocolate, and plotting the party with a trace of triumph still lingering on my lips when she walked in without tapping.
Kitten, who takes after my father in many things, believes in barging in uninvited. And having arrived only in time to see the results of our little wager, had come to prod details out of me.
She posed in the doorway. One delicate hand placed firmly on her hip. "Just what did you do to those boys?" she asked, sounding both horrified and excited.
"What makes you think I did anything to them?"
The lovely head tilted, causing her curls – still perfect after the long journey, and I've no idea just how she manages that – to bounce. Her perfectly groomed eyebrows rose as she answered, "Shay, they're sitting in that room down the hall trying to get drunk."
"Are they?" A smile flickered at the corner of my mouth.
"I saw that." Letting out a breath, Kitten plopped herself down on the foot of my bed. She shook her curls. "I knew you were involved." At my shrug, she continued. "After all, who but you has ever driven Anders to drink?"
I laughed.
"Eldenwood drinks," I protested. "With or without my aid."
"Does he? I can't say ever seen him absorbing much wine or punch unless he's argued with you first."
I lifted my shoulders carelessly. "Given that we're discussing Eldenwood, he probably salutes foiled plans in the privacy of his chambers with a bottle reserved for just such purposes. And given your tendency to barge in abruptly, it is no wonder that you've walked in on such a session after I've had words with him."
"You make him sound so calculating." Kitten frowned at me with perplexity. "Anders really isn't all that bad, Shay… He's never hurt anyone 'tis not his nature."
If there is ever a statue entitled: skepticism, my expression on that moment would be a perfect model.
"Oh, don't give me that look. Why do you resent him so?"
Remembering, I pressed my lips together. My gaze dropped to my hands. Tensed around the pen, their knuckles drained of blood. Anger white-hot burned through my veins in place of it. That was something better left unspoken.
Silence. Full with tension, empty of words fell upon us. To end it I said. "So you'll go to the dance with me tonight? You need to brush up on your dancing skills, sister, for you never know when some unsuspecting bachelor will fall victim to your charms. I bet I'll even steal some dances from you this year!"
"Only because I'll be too busy to take them all!" My sister retorted.
I smirked. "Well, of course, you'll be too busy. One can't possibly dance with all the men when one must always watch one's feet."
"You wound me, fair sister. Perhaps, you'll take a wager on it?"
"Nope." I said with a voice brimming with good cheer. "Already lost one today to Alec and Eldenwood."
"What?"
"I believe that's 'Pardon?' and you heard me correctly."
Her eyes were wide with disbelief. "You lost to the two of them?" Her mouth hung open, comically. "I don't believe it! What was the wager?"
"That they could beat me here." I stated simply; I wanted the exact nature of our bargain to remain a secret – for now.
Thankfully, Kitten was too shocked by my loss to consider the brief answer. Again she wore that hybrid look of excitement and horror. "Both of them beat you here… here! Aunt Mel has been racing us here for years! She's going to have a fit!"
I considered that. She would indeed, but it was worth it. I grinned, remembering again the benefits of losing. Besides, I had a nagging feeling that Uncle Danric would approve. It was something he'd do.
A candle later Kitten was long gone. Probably gone to curl her hair or something. Preparing for a dance – even one as informal and simple as this one – took candles of preparation for her.
I, in turn, had curled up with the book I'd been nursing. I'd only brought one to read on the journey because I can't read in carriages, and Athanarel's library is significantly better stocked than mine. So I was reading it slowly, hoping to make the words span the entire trip.
A knock on the tapestry interrupted me. I looked up, wondering what time it was. I'd asked Renn to come rouse me from my reading half a candle before dinner. Perhaps it was later than I thought.
"Come in." I invited, and looked down to mark my page with a spare ribbon.
I blinked in surprise as I looked up at – not the flamboyant figure of Renn but that of the reserved Coriander of Eldenwood. I raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Tlanth," he greeted with a vague bow.
"Eldenwood." I returned without rising. I watched him as he took in my relaxed attire and loosed hair. In anticipation of dancing, I had left it down so there would be no folds to interfere with Renn's styling. It fell more than halfway down my back, curtaining my face where it wasn't tucked behind my ears.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
He did not answer immediately. Then, "That was very clever."
"I profess confusion as to your topic. Though I find I am reluctant to fend off compliments to my character."
He rolled those gorgeous eyes. "Of course," he said. A sly smile bloomed as he continued with my most hated words. "I forgive your ignorance."
Me? Ignorant? Maybe at the age of twelve, but now? I fairly hissed inside, but denied him an outward reaction. "Thank you," I said dryly.
"I was referring to our wager."
"Where you?" I continued my act, knowing it was petty, but also knowing how much it annoyed him. What can I say? I was unable to resist. I widened my blue eyes to look very naïve and innocent. "What of it?"
He glared at me with fast-fading tolerance. Those gold eyes of his bit into me, but I found it more amusing than disturbing under the circumstances. Enjoying the game, I lowered my eyes to my book, pretending to read it to provoke him further.
Eldenwood's counter-move was to come close to the bed and allow his fingers to trail over my hand as he tilted the book to read the title. The tickle of the long, cold fingers ran shivers across my skin. I shifted, uncomfortably aware of where we were – what I was sitting on.
Eldenwood teased the book from my hands. He flipped through a couple pages. Closing it, he gave both the book and I, its owner, a thoughtful glance. "My sister read this," he said, shaking it lightly. There he paused, and despite myself, I looked at him. "I would not have thought it to your taste."
I blushed but managed to bite back what would have been a stuttering response. Embarrassed, I snatched the romanticized historical fiction from his grasp and muttered, "Well, you've never been particularly astute at guessing my preferences."
"I suppose not," he said neutrally.
Another silence descended upon me - the second of the day. Yet this one was different from the one I had shared with my sister. The silence between Kit and I was uncomfortable due to the question left unanswered. This one became almost companionable, and given the identity of the other involved, that in turn made it far worse.
I broke it rudely, hoping to cancel the moment from memory and further contemplation. "Is that all then?" I asked more curtly than was necessary.
Eldenwood startled at my tone. There was an unreadable look in his eyes as he drew away. "I merely came to see if today's loss was intentional as I had thought." He spread his hands as if that explained everything. Maybe it did.
"And?" I really had trouble resisting the urge to bait him.
He didn't rise to it. "I reserve judgment, Tlanth, for another time."
I shrugged. It mattered very little. We both knew the answer. "The door is that way."
I cracked my book open, leaving it to him, to see himself out. The candle was burning and I wanted to finish my chapter before Renn returned to lift me from its pages. I had thought it was a simple enough task – seeing one's self out, but then his voice interrupted the sentence I'd just begun to read.
"Tlanth."
I sighed and looked up. The harried glare I directed his way had stripped many of Nita's messengers of their courage. The man looked on, unfazed. What now? I thought.
"Who's Alec to you?"
My disbelief was palpable. I was totally and completely shocked. My eyebrows lurched up to a staggering height that wrinkled my forehead. My eyes opened wide. And my mouth hung open even after the verbal expression felt out. "WHAT?"
For the first time, I saw THE Coriander of Eldenwood looking distinctly uneasy. If I hadn't been so stunned at the time, I would have tormented him without mercy.
"We're starting this already?" I asked, looking alarmed. The betrothal was fast becoming too ludicrous to be a nightmare. "How can you? W..w..w.why..? We're not even married yet!" I stood up and paced to dispel my growing nerves.
Usually I get all hot and flustered, the air becomes thick, and my hands start to tingle when I get that upset. I guess I can thank the Light that this time I was able to keep my head.
Honestly! Who did he think he was? Questioning my relationship with Alec… my purely platonic relationship with Alec. He wasn't my father! We weren't married yet! And we hadn't even been hand-fasted in a proper ceremony yet! I didn't answer to him!
So I did the unthinkable: I dropped a book.
Stalking right up to him, I lifted my head proudly. "I don't have to answer that."
"No," he said, once again unshakably calm. "But I would appreciate if you would." When I didn't answer, he turned to leave. My hand banded around his wrist, and in anger, turned him to me.
"Burn it! We're just friends! He's like my older brother!" I stormed. I was ready to hit him for asking me the question – for looking so calm.
He lay a hand gently on my arm. "Alright, thank you for telling me."
I released him. My anger was abating quickly as it had come. I knew what was coming next, and I did not want him here for it. "See yourself out." I said listlessly. He opened his mouth to speak, but I pressed my fingers to his lips to silence him. Gold eyes sent my blues hundreds of unspoken apologies. Whatever else he may be; he was not a monster. He was not insensitive to pain, and was sorry to have inflicted it.
I moved to the bed and lay across it gingerly. My face sank into a pillow and I cried tears of protest at the nightmare that was my waking reality. Mother dead. Owner of a wicked stepmother. Young leader of a bankrupt county. Forced into marriage with my enemy. A man already suspecting my infidelity. The injustice of it all overwhelmed me. So it was some time before the tears stopped flowing and my sobs were reduced to hiccups. I lay there miserable for a good while before I heard it.
The noise of a glass jar against wood, clicked. But all I saw when I turned was a swinging tapestry, and a small object sitting with a note on the table near the door. I pulled myself up to walk over to it.
The glass was smooth and rounded. I unscrewed the lid to the little jar and sniffed the minty, medicinal aroma. Inside was a skin-coloured cream. I looked down at the note.
Thought you ought to have this. It'll work better than the one you used this morning. Please don't refrain from using it on principle. You will heal faster this way.
There was no signature, but I didn't need one to know the identity of the benefactor. Other men might have added "forgive me" and signed, but not this one.
Eldenwood's potion did, to my great annoyance, work better at concealing and soothing the bruise on my cheek.
It still marked my face. Nita may be small and pretty, but I'm sure she's taken classes in the art of slapping. I've heard her own grandmother was of a similar temperament, perhaps it is a family secret.
To say that Renn was surprised that my dress and make-up were on when she entered would be a gross understatement. As I recall, she froze in the doorway. But being the cheery little elf I've often thought her, she was quick to take advantage of the situation by styling my hair into a complex, yet not overly formal collection of twists.
I usually don't give her time to appeal to such frivolities, so she was beaming with pride and joy as she perfected her creation. "Beautiful," she said.
"Beautiful," I agreed. I looked at her over my shoulder expectantly. "Aren't you going to get changed?"
Renn gave me a perplexed look. "For what, Shay?"
"Come dancing with us."
"My lady, I couldn't!" Renn protested, but I could tell that the idea appealed to her.
"I thought we were past the 'my lady' stuff, Miss Rennaldorissa Thatcher." I pointed out. Both of us hate our full names. In the name of friendship and peace we'd abandoned them a long time ago.
She winced. "You win. I'll just be a minute."
The dancing was sensational! The music was far livelier than that played at court; although, during Aunt Mel and Uncle Vidanric's reign some formality was dropped. On the whole, dancing was the best part of court life for me, because it is the part that most resembles home.
But here! Pan pipes replaced flutes. Drums and clapping were overloud and energising. The fiddler was a swift, passionate soloist that made the dancers match his pace, rather than slow for them. A girl's clear alto pitched itself through the din to our ears. We lifted our skirts and joined in the crowded dance, laughing uncontrollably as the fiddle marched us along faster and faster. Colours streamed off our clothes as we spun and jumped, dipped and circled the dance through its paces. It was heady! It was powerful! It was exciting! Liberating! The tempo sped on and on until there was no thought left, but merely instinctive movement expressing the emotions of the dance. My feet skipped through the intricate footwork to the beat ever-rising until in a large crescendo of music it finally crashed into its finale.
I blinked as the world refocused for me. I was alone in a circle of people. The last standing. They applauded my dancing, and I – blushing from head to toe – swept a deep curtsey to the room. They laughed and clapped me on the back before dispersing for what seemed to be a slower song. My breathing slowed.
I loved it. When I dance, the world and all its limits and problems fade away for those precious minutes of semi-existence.
"Shay! That was gorgeous!" Alec shouted enthusiastically as he hugged me close. I rested my head on his shoulder, and was surprised when he swept me into a slow dance to the young girl's sweet voice. It was a sad song full of heartbreak and unrequited love. I let my body do the work, while my mind drifted elsewhere.
At the end of the song, I watched Eldenwood offer the girl a gold coin. She was shaking her head, golden curls bouncing and eyes wide with fear. What she thought he wanted, I'm not sure, but he finally convinced her to take it by placing it in her hand, closing her fingers around it and stalking towards me, with temper enflaming the molten gold of his eyes. I was suddenly struck by what the poor girl must have felt – the unease of a small animal facing off a large cat. My pulse jumped.
I turned and walked to the perimeter of the room, seeking safety in numbers. He found me anyway. That sensitive hand of his offered itself to me. "A dance, my lady."
I noticed it wasn't a question. I considered refusing, but then Lady Elenet caught my eye. Her small smile invited me to do it and suffer the consequences. I subsided, choosing the lesser of two evils.
I let him lead me onto the floor and pull me into a slow dance. We danced in silence, perfectly matched in step and pace for several minutes, until my compulsion to ruin the moment surfaced.
"So," I asked, "Who won our little wager? You or Alec?"
He gave me a look that teased out a laugh. "Frankly, I think you won, Lady." He responded dryly.
I smiled. "Undoubtedly. After all, now I get to watch you and Alec humiliate yourselves at court. I shall enjoy it."
"Naturally." He spun me; then leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Why the curiosity?"
I looked up at him, puzzled. "Well, I guess I was wondering if you'd tried to lose to avoid dancing with me." I winced after the words tumbled out. It sounded stupid now that he'd chosen to dance with me of his volition.
A dark brow lifted inquiringly. "You're not that bad a dancer, Tlanth." He ignored my bland stare. Without warning, he led me through a complex variation of the steps and twirls; I kept up with him easily. "See? As dancer, you're not half bad."
Not half bad. Oh, the provocation! Be civil in public. Be civil in public. Must remember to be civil in public. "Eldenwood." I warned. My hand tightened around his, causing him to smirk down at me. I applied more pressure, allowing a thumb nail to rest against the web between his thumb and finger.
"Very well," he said dryly. "I concede. You dance well enough."
Not great as compliments go. Of course, the day Eldenwood actually gives me a straight compliment will be the day I cite him as my best friend, so I expressed my thanks through my loosened grip on his fingers.
The dance swept on – a simple country tune began to meld with the other, and we switched styles simultaneously. Here at least we agree, I thought distractedly. Here we were well-matched. Two dark figures gliding over the floor, challenging each other. I have to admit we made a handsome pair.
At the end of that dance, I drew away. My feet ached. All the racing and dancing had taken its toll on me; it was past time to retire. I curtseyed and was about to turn away when he caught my hand and bowed over it formally.
"Countess. I thank you for the dance." Taken aback by the sudden formality, I stood momentarily pinned still by warm, gold eyes. I still caught the covert examination of my left cheek.
"I'm not Tlanth's Countess. Why does everyone keep calling me Countess?"
Again the eyebrow winged up. "Are you not?" Eldenwood paused to give his words a dramatic flair. He used the moment to lead me away from the dance floor. The guiding hand at the small of my back was a warm and gentle pressure. "How many people live in your county? How many pay taxes? How many tourists at last report?" he asked abruptly.
I rattled off the numbers. "Your point?"
He looked at me for a moment. I got the sense that he was measuring me: my faults, my strengths, my potential. I refused to let my nerves show.
"Does Nita?"
A fair point, I thought as he walked away. A fair point.
A/N: Terribly sorry this is so late, but school caught up with me. I'll try to get more updates out – no guarantees. Next chapter should be at Athanarel with Mel and Danric, Flauvic and Elestra, etc! Plot really begins to develop!
Thanks for reading! Thanks for reviewing!
THANK YOU REVIEWERS!
!great!: Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Gwendeleryn: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it! This one's super long to make up for the wait and the length of 5
Swimgal: I'll try to work in an explanation next chapter… problem is, neither really
wants to talk about it…
Peri: please do not perish! (bad humour)
Dizzydragon: I can only agree about the lack of good CCD fics! I do have a C2 for them though… I'm glad you like mine! As to parallels – they are deliberate, but the plot leaves off quite soon for Meliara-land :D I too adore that scene!
Midnight Knight: thanks! I couldn't let her win! Not nearly as much fun :p
Jo: thank you! I plan to, don't you worry!
Luckylola: wait until you see the ones coming up ;)!
Wake-Robin: GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! UPDATE ALREADY! Follow even my poor example and you'll be ahead!
StardustPixie: Where would be the fun if there weren't a twist to it:D
Syl Rose: lol that still cracks me up! I swear she has Danric's sneakiness
Racetrack's Goil: Well I'm going with the theory that it's just a rumour, because it's just dumb, but thanx for the concern. I'm glad you like Anders. I'm trying very hard to make him likeable… hard when Shay keeps cursing him.
Sheyana: Not a side bet… you'll find out later (sorry I know that's going to bother you) Eldenwood is his land, but Shay uses it as his name.
Rane: LOL sorry! Patience is good for you, but I confess to having little of it myself. I've read your suggestions… you may see some in future. Thank you for the compliment to the characters! Lol and try not to get too mad that I don't update ASAP because I have school and other fics (feel free to read them)
Goddess Of The Moon: Oh yes, the ball will be spectacular!
