blaiks desire elven conceptions

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.”“Yes, I suspected as much when I first saw you.” Lyndor came down to clasp the hands of his two noble guests.“I have never journeyed there, but I have heard many tales of both your people and your land.”“I might say the same of yours,” Ailin replied, “hence my desire to see for myself.”“Ailin wishes to learn of our ways,” Jarquis added.“He is a seasoned traveler who has already seen more of the world than I have even dreamed of.”Lyndor nodded.“It is good to welcome both of you.I can offer you and your knight all the comforts of my palace.Your timing is fortuitous, as we expect my heir to arrive soon as well.Surely you will stay and welcome your nephew into the world.”“We would be delighted, Majesty.”As the formalities continued, Blaik watched his brother interact with Ailin.Had his brother finally chosen a mate? He and Jarquis had never been close, so he could not interpret his emotions as easily as he could Conor’s.Ailin did not have the appearance of a Bearer, but then again he and Pallas did not look like any elves Blaik had ever seen.Perhaps the ways of their homeland were different.Certainly Ailin’s body, in stark contrast to Jarquis’s, seemed too lithe and wispy for battle.He would have to watch them closely to see if they shared the discreet glances or small touches as Lyndor and Conor did.“You will find our seaside pleasant, I hope,” Conor was saying to Ailin.“I like it immensely.The scent and the breezes seem quite beneficial.” He patted his distended pouch.“I try to spend some time in the open air each day for the benefit of our son.”“I am sure he will be born strong and handsome,” Ailin said.“As for the sea, I have indeed noticed its bracing effects in the short time I have been here.I hope I can learn to swim as well.Perhaps a member of your court would be good enough to instruct me in the practice, Majesty.”“We shall make an outing of it,” Lyndor promised.As he spoke the last syllable, however, his voice faltered.He averted his gaze and pressed his fingers to his forehead.“My lord, what is it?” Conor asked, bending over to grasp the king’s arm.Lyndor waved him off.“’Tis nothing.A slight headache, no doubt a remnant of my unfortunate reaction to the strong sunlight earlier.” When he lifted his head, the pain in his eyes was evident to Blaik.“Perhaps it would be best if I retired to my chambers until dinner.We will continue this enlightening conversation then, I hope.”“Of course, Majesty,” everyone murmured in unison.As they walked back to their chambers to dress for dinner, Blaik again cursed his miserable luck.Lord Gothec was handsome, well spoken, and a cousin of the king.Yet from everything Blaik had heard, Gothec had no interest in a long-term mate and thus was unsuitable for a bearer.Besides, his father would negotiate a proper bonding for him that would benefit both his home kingdom and some other land in need of a royal Bearer—a rare commodity, to be sure.He and Gothec could play and jest with one another, and nothing more.He had to enjoy what attentions he could get and protect his heart as best he could—a tall order, to be sure.Even now, Gothec’s words poured over his ears like sweet music from a well-tuned lute.Every detail of his appearance fascinated him, too, from the silver shoes with the curled toes to the neatly trimmed point of the short dark beard that framed his rugged face.“What brings your brother here, I wonder,” Gothec mused as they walked down the long stone corridor that led to both their rooms.“And where has this Ailin fellow come from? Why were we not informed through the proper diplomatic channels that they would be coming for a visit?”“There could be several reasons.No doubt he wants to see Conor’s bairn arrive, and my father expects a firsthand report from him when the time comes.”“Yes, no doubt, but—”“Or perhaps he is afraid our father will not approve of Ailin,” Blaik went on.“He may hope that the king will intervene on his behalf.”“In that case, his confidence was not misplaced.My royal cousin has always secretly wanted to be a matchmaker [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Pokrewne