After about a week of rebuilding and gathering strength, Emrys had decided to throw a great feast. Rowan didn't want to go, thanks to his introvert nature. But Aelin bullied and then dragged him downstairs to the small forest opening where the party was set. In the center a huge bonfire was lit. Around it people danced and sang to the beats of the drums which were playing nearby.
Around them, many tables were set. Emrys, Luca and other demi fae rushed in and out of the kitchen bringing out various kind of mouth watery food items. And on another table was fae wine. An endless stock of it.
"Come on." Aelin said while tugging hands towards the dancing people.
All of Rowan's sensations narrowed down to their adjoined hands. But then he realized what she was saying.
"Heck no." he barked. Although he hated it, but he removed his hand from hers.
Aelin placed her hands on her hips. "What's your problem?"
"I can't dance." He admitted.
"Neither can I, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't." and that was that as she again pulled him to the dancing lot. Right in the middle so that Rowan couldn't escape. Smart move.
Aelin took Rowan's hand and placed it on her waist.
Holy gods.
Then linked the other one and placed her left hand on his chest.
Dangerous territory.
And then they danced. Rowan was stiff. Tensed. He didn't dance and this woman, she just made him.
The music was nice. Fast. Thank the gods it wasn't soft and honeyed otherwise he would have lost it. he would have-
He shook his head to clear away what exactly he would have done.
"Buzzard, why are you so stiff?" she had to tip back her head to look at him. They were that close.
"I can't dance." He growled. He gave her a look which sent men running but she just snorted. She was never afraid of him. Neither was he afraid of her.
"Well, don't worry. Nobody is seeing you if you're concerned."
He looked around. Everyone was watching them.
"Yes, they are."
"Correction," she smirked, "everyone's looking at me. Not you." Rowan barked a laugh and then he showed her what he was capable of. How good dance he could do. He twisted and moved and she practically skimmed over him. They never faltered a step.
And when they were done, both of them breathing heavily, "Well, who told you can't dance?" and she chuckled.
And everyone else just cheered and smiled. Luca whistled. Rowan felt all the blood in his body reach his neck and cheeks.
"Well, let's eat." He said if only to get out of the applause.
All the tables were set. The best of cutlery was in use. Food was set in all the tables. Rowan and Aelin made their way to the corner table. But Luca caught them both and led them to the center table, the biggest one, the one where you would get most attention.
"Our saviors need the best service, don't they?" he said, flashing a grin.
"Please." Aelin muttered. But she indeed was the savior. So was Rowan but Aelin had played the bigger part in saving them. She wouldn't accept it thought.
"I hope you regret your decision." Rowan said in her ear.
"Oh, not at all, Prince. I love publicity. Gives me an air of dignity." He elbowed her in the ribs. She chuckled and sat down in one of the chairs, Rowan beside her, Luca across her.
"You two were on fire." Luca exclaimed. "The best dance I have ever seen." he continued babbling but Rowan started eating. He was hungry. Aelin started too while also talking to the boy.
"How about a drinking contest?" Aelin suggested.
"You're on." Luca replied.
Before Rowan could stop this, both of them had rushed to the table with fae wine. Both of them got twenty glasses a piece.
"Wait, stop." Rowan ordered.
"In your dreams." Aelin muttered. "On the count of three. Three… Two… One."
And they erupted. Aelin with one glass in both the hands. She drank and drank and drank.
Idiot. Pathetic.
But there was no stopping her.
And obviously Aelin won. When she was done with the twenty glasses, Luca still had five left. "Good luck next time, boyo."
But Luca was already high and had passed pout.
Aelin was on the verge of passing out as well.
"Buzzard, you want to try?"
"Princess, enough of your tomfoolery. We're leaving. You're high."
"But it's fun." She pouted. Rowan had to swallow his laugh. He just gave her a hard look. "Fine. Maybe I am a tad high."
"Just a tad." He chuckled.
She came towards him ad her knees buckled. Before she could kiss grass, he had swept her up in his arm and took her to his room.
When Rowan shut the door and set the princess on the bed, her hands were fisted in the front of his tunic. Rowan tried to remove them. Slowly, one finger after the other, hew removed her hands.
She stirred. "Thank you for looking after me, Rowan. I wish you could come with me back to Rifthold and then Terrasen. But it can't happen, right? Because of my bitch of an aunt. I hate her." Her words slurred and she fell asleep.
Yes. All this because of her and his bitch of an aunt.