Deacon and I roamed the floor, talking with the various nobles. Some approached us, while we approached others. The conversations were always some variation of:

  “Oh, hey there Lady Danielle! It’s been a while, how’ve you been?”

  “I’m doing well. I took an injury and forgot most of my life.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  They’d introduce themselves again, and I’d try to make an effort to remember. There’d be a little small talk, but then they’d move on. That happened twelve times before I finally saw Aria Germaine again. She was with a small gaggle of other men and women. She was hanging off of a woman with darker skin and pointed ears. They were both next to a rotund man wearing oranges and deep purples. I vaguely recognized him, though I hadn’t gotten a good look.

  Despite his size, he didn’t give off the air of someone who spent his time sitting and letting people feed him. While round, he also looked like he could pick up the two women next to him and their guards. His hair was in a ball of curls at the top of his head and the red-orange color matched his large beard. As we got closer, he let out a loud laugh at someone’s comment and slapped the noble on his back in appreciation. The man stumbled, but caught himself before face met ground.

  “Lady Danielle! There you are!” He said in a voice that took subtly out back and buried it. I bet they could hear him at the top of the lift. “My dear Aria mentioned you had been injured, which was why you couldn’t attend my return party!”

  I had to stop a few paces back, his voice almost a physical force. I smiled up at him though, “Sorry about that. My brother had been handling letters before he had to leave on business. I hadn’t intended to slight you.” I gave a small bow and he let out a low chuckle of amusement.

  “Come now, no need for that!” He motioned me forward, “Join us, and at least tell us how about it.”

  I stiffened, not really wanting to share. I looked at Deacon who gave a subtle shake of his head. His way of letting me know I was on my own. Not wanting to make more of a scene, though, I stepped forward. “I… do not think it is something to talk about in a place like this.”

  The large man frowned, and the group seemed to close in around me and Deacon. “That won’t do, Lady Danielle. I believe it is my right to know why you would not even bother with a letter. And in such drab attire too.” He clicked his tongue as his gaze roamed up and down.

  I looked around the group to see if I could find an out, but they were all showing just mild interest in the ‘show’. Taking a slow breath, I smiled up at him, “No.”

  That caused him to pause. Everyone looked at me like I’d grown a second head. His finger went to his ear, trying to clean it out, “I’m sorry, what was that?” I could feel several auras trying to creep over me and I slammed my will into my own, pushing them out.

  “I said no, you do not have the right. I am aware you have a high standing in the city, but I don’t have to talk about some of the worst things in my life to you or anyone here.” I stared at him, daring him to contradict me. “Lord Germaine.” I added, to appear respectful.

  The whole circle of nobles took a step back at my words, suddenly finding somewhere else to be. Aria and the dark skinned woman just looked at me with curiosity. Germaine, on the other hand, looked… confused. I could feel the aura sliding over mine again faster this time, but it wouldn’t make contact.

  I saw a notification blinking in the bottom right of my vision, but I ignored it. Suddenly, he looked pale, “I… apologize.” He flushed slightly and gave me a shallow bow. “I had not realized it was that serious.”

  More like you’re sorry you couldn’t force me to answer, prick. I forced my face into something more pleasant, “There is no need. I will do my best to attend the next.”

  Lord Germaine nodded, face splitting into a grin and his voice returning to the booming timbre from before, “Do so! It will be one of my best yet!”

  The dark skinned woman patted him on the arm, “Dear, you say that about every one of your parties.”

  “And have I been wrong?!” He let out a booming laugh and they wandered off. I kept focus until Deacon was able to lead me to a side room. I let out a breath and leaned against the wall.

  “You okay?” He asked, putting his hand on my shoulders and lowering himself to look into my eyes. “You did well.”

  “Thanks.” I was breathing harder than I thought I needed. “That was hard. What was he using?”

  “It wasn’t him.” I felt his own aura sweep over mine and… something was taken off of it. My breathing steadied and I felt calmer. “It was the other wife.”

  I blinked and turned to look in the direction they’d gone. There was a wall between us, but it left me unnerved. “What did you just do?”

  “Ripped off some barbs. Not something I was expecting here.” He looked me over again. “Even in a capital city and a mage college that’s rare. It takes finesse that stats don’t help with.”

  I nodded, looking around the room we were in. It was a lounge like several others, though the portrait was of the man from the entrance hall holding the reigns of some massive canine. “How bad is that?”

  When I looked back, Deacon shook his head, “If they’d stayed, you’d be nervous and jittery all night. Alcohol would have mitigated it, but that would bring other problems.”

  “Think they have anything besides whatever was in those glasses?” I asked, before dropping into a chair unceremoniously.

  He hesitated, looking from me to the door and back. “I… can ask. Stay here? If I see Toren, I’ll send him here.”

  I nodded and he headed out. Leaning back against the chair, I brought up the interface.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  [Alert!]

  [You have been the target of an Ego attack]

  [Continued assault will result in automatic retaliation at maximum penalty.]

  My eyes went wide and I put my head into my hands, groaning. “Great, one more worry.”

  “Hopefully not a heavy one.” A voice came from the doorway. I looked around hoping for Toren, but I knew it wouldn’t be. Instead, I saw a man who looked remarkably close to the one in the painting. The eyes were slanted differently and the chin softer, but with a little work he could look like the Duke.

  Must be his son.

  “Lady Danielle, it has been too long. Your new attire looks good on you.” He smiled, a charming thing that likely would melt the hearts of most women. “Still feminine, with the half skirt, but a certain air of confidence the dresses didn’t give off.” He took a seat on a nearby couch. “The sword probably helps.”

  I smiled back, but kept my guard up. “Thank you. Sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

  He held his chest, as if wounded, “You wound me.” His eyes gained a hint of sadness, “After we spent all that time together in that cave. Going through swamps and canyons. The airship ride?! Nothing?” He couldn’t keep the false hurt going and broke into a chuckle, “I know. I got my hands on the report after you missed Germain’s party.”

  I slowly leaned back in the chair, letting out a long breath, “Well, that saves some time.”

  His face grew stony, “It’s awful that happened to you. How’ve you been?”

  Hesitantly, I responded, “I’ve been… alright I guess. Cal and Grimoire have been a big help. Geraldine as well.”

  “I’m happy to hear about Geraldine.” He smiled brightly, “I told you she was good at her job… before…” His smile slowly died and he sighed, “I’m Elias.”

  “Thanks.” I said, genuinely. “Geraldine never mentioned you.”

  “She wouldn’t have. She takes patient privacy seriously.” Elias said, “I wish I’d come to visit, but your brother asked for me to wait for a gathering. Where is he, by the way?”

  “He went to deliver a message to father. About… Chatterdeem.” The name caused an ugly grimace to cross my face and I worked to smooth it out.

  “Ah, I suppose that was prudent. A shame he couldn’t wait till after the wedding to die. At least then you’d have gotten access to his ledgers.” Elias shook his head.

  I froze… “What?”

  He looked at me and then his eyes widened as his mouth turned to an ‘O’. “Oh, right. Never mind. I might have seen you before then, but I suppose it’s all smoke now.” He laughed, “Sorry. So what have you been doing in your recovery? You look… well…” He grinned, “Well.”

  My brow furrowed, “Thanks. I’ve been exercising.” I continued in a less hesitant tone. “I’ve been trying to keep my mind busy, but it’s not really working.” It was the truth, just, likely not for the reason he’d think.

  “Training more like.” He rested his arm on the back of the couch. “I bet you could take most of these nobles in a sword fight at this point.” Elias rolled his eyes, “I take it the attack did more than give you a trait.” He leaned forward and held out a hand to stop me from speaking right away, “Not that you have to say if you don’t want to.”

  I blinked, hesitant. “...were we good friends?”

  He snorted, “A lot of late night conversations using a message book.” He paused. “Which… you likely don’t know where it is…”

  I shook my head, smiling despite it all, “Did no one else know? I feel like someone should have mentioned it before now.”

  “Well, Cal of course.” He nodded, “Porter, Elayne, and I think Samuel knows something is going on but not what, with how often you’d show up to an inn with him.”

  “Inn? Not here?” I asked.

  He shook his head, “Do you know how annoying it is to get up and down here? I usually stay somewhere in the city.”

  I… had not been ready for this conversation. Calmar had probably made a good call keeping him away from me… “Should you really be telling me that?”

  Elias shrugged, “It’s not a secret. And besides, it makes clandestine meetings easier.” He wore a shit eating grin.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose, “Elias, may I just use your name?” When he nodded, I continued, “How come you’re here? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the dancing?”

  “Why, when the one I want to dance with is here?” He winked at me.

  My mind stopped working and I took several seconds to process what he’d said. Before my mind had finished rebooting, he started laughing, “Oh, I knew that one would go over well. The look on your face was amazing.”

  My face went from stunned to glaring disapproval and he just laughed harder. My cheeks were heating up, and I opened my mouth to say something before just groaning and flopping back in the chair, “You’re an ass.”

  “Ouch, such language from a young lady.” His voice still carried amusement in it, “I would rather dance with you than one of Germaine’s wives though. Aria is too loud and Venetia is a little too thorny.”

  I sat up and shrugged, “I think I know what you mean.”

  Around that time there was a knock. I turned in my seat and saw Deacon leaning against the door frame and Toren walking past him. Elias smiled again, “Director. Wasn’t expecting you, I’m glad you could make it.”

  Toren took a seat across from Elias and smiled at the Duke’s son. “Lady Danielle asked me to come with for moral support.” He turned to look at me, “Are you okay?”

  Deacon handed me a square glass full of amber liquid. I sniffed it as he leaned against the back of the chair, “You’re the duke’s son, right? Forgive me, but how should I address you?”

  Elias looked exasperated at Deacon’s question, “Marquis Elias if you have to, but I’d prefer just Elias while we’re in private company.”

  I didn’t see Deacon’s expression as I sipped at the drink. It reminded me of wood for some reason and burnt as it went down, leaving a pleasant warmth behind. Elias watched with curiosity as I drank, but returned his gaze to Deacon, “I must say, I’m surprised to see you both.”

  “I imagine you’ve your skills to thank. Deception?” He asked casually.

  He chuckled nervously, “I suppose you caught me. It’s a skill ability I use when I don’t want attention.”

  Deacon hummed in agreement. I looked at him in a new light, going over our conversation in my head. “No harm, I suppose. Not surprising you got it so high in this nest of slimes. I heard three groups talking about how they’d try to appease you or the Duke.”

  The Marquis rolled his eyes, “One of them is going to offer to sleep with me. Someone always does at these parties.”

  “A great burden, I am sure.” Deacon said. I aimed a backhand at his arm and he yelped. “Hey!”

  “Don’t be an ass. You remember that idiot you stopped from touching my ass?”

  “He was just the one you saw.” His response made me shiver. Not what I wanted to be dealing with.

  Elias nodded, “I’ve gotten it a couple times when someone grows bold enough.” He shook his head, “Can’t let them see you react.”

  I took another sip. I heard the band start playing. Deacon turned to look out the door. “Think the band’s starting up. I’m surprised your father hasn’t given a speech.”

  “He’ll wait till everyone is getting ready to leave. The petty ass likes to waste their time as ’penance for wasting his.’” Elias stood and offered me a hand, “What do you say? First dance, long as possible so you can excuse yourself earlier?”

  My brow furrowed, “How did you…”

  “You looked like you licked one of those sour Vitamin Fruits.” He smirked.

  I looked at Toren, he gave a side shrug. I looked up at Deacon and he also shrugged.

  So I took his hand.