Grasping two goblets by their stems from a table so overloaded with food and drinks that it was a wonder it didn’t buckle, Eli did her best to dodge and weave through the throng of nobility back to where the lord she served waited… Or rather, hid from young unmarried ladies that had been eyeing him like a hungry house cat would eye a plump mouse.

Keeping her head bowed, Eli was able to deftly make her way back, the smell of Troivackian moonshine, red wine, perfume, and sweat all lingering together… It certainly did smell like a rousing good party.

Only it reminded Eli of her days back in the Zinferan court. In Troivack, there hadn’t been many parties that weren’t handled with great dignity… No… Troivack didn’t have the exuberance of the Daxarian court, nor the frivolous luxury of the Zinferan court…

Eli looked to the thrones before she could stop herself, and felt her heart drop when she once again imagined someone from long ago with alarming clarity…

Chin… Why am I thinking about you now after all these years?

A knight that was already laughing far louder than was necessary tumbled into Eli then, knocking her back and sloshing the drinks all over herself as well as the couple she ended up crashing into… An older lord and lady who squawked in alarm.

Eli pivoted nimbly, already bowing before the couple had righted themselves.“Apologies, my lord, my lady.”

“By the Gods, be careful!” the woman trilled while looking in dismay at her stained, bright green silk skirt.

“I am sincerely sorry, it seems the party is-”

“I’ll send the bill for the cost of the dress to house Ashowan.” The woman waved off Eli’s words and straightened herself, already looking around the room utterly disinterested with the assistant.

A deep rooted ire shook Eli, and when she lifted herself out of her bow and stared sharply at the woman, she noticed that before the lady could notice, her husband did, and he flinched.

“My lady.” Eli smiled, her teeth flashing, and then without bothering to look behind herself, she effortlessly grabbed the knight that had bumped into her who was standing right at her back guffawing with other party goers by the collar of his shirt and yanked him forward with surprising strength. “This here, is the man who caused this situation. Please send the bill to him. Good evening.”

Both the noblewoman and the knight blinked in confusion at each other, but they were unable to process what had happened in a timely manner before Eli pressed the two half filled goblets into the knight’s hands, and stalked back into the crowd, her cheeks warm from anger.

By the time she returned to Lord Tamlin’s side, she didn’t have to look at him to know he had seen the whole thing. However, despite wishing with all her mite to tell him to defend his own cowardly arse if he was going to say something glib, he surprised her.

“You almost lost control.”

Eli’s eyes snapped to him. “Pardon?”

“Your magic.” Tam’s voice was quiet, without an ounce of teasing in it. “I saw the way that lord looked at you when you looked at his wife.”

Her heart instantly quickened, but she pretended to still be annoyed and not display her panic. “I might have been somewhat terse with the noblewoman. I can return and offer that you, my employer, pays for the dress that was ruined like she suggested if you prefer.”

“That is not what I’m getting at. And I’m not asking you about your magic either. I just need to know what sets it off. I’ll avoid placing you in situations in the future where that might happen.” Tam lunged swiftly toward a servant carrying a tray of full goblets after he finished speaking, and managed to successfully pluck up two cups, though the contents were different.

Stunned at Tam’s reaction to what had just happened, Eli felt foreign emotion rise in her throat.

When was the last time someone had tried to help her without forcing her to do something? Or asking for something in return…?

“I like things to be fair.” She heard herself say the words, and instantly pinched her mouth shut again. Why the hell had she even told him that? Of course he’d have follow up questions!

“Ah. So you are fine when the exchange is straightforward and reward or punishment is assigned properly? Straight forward interactions, like when I had you accept shipments of moonshine, or categorize inventory and you received pay? Very well. I won’t send you to negotiations where you’ll be at a disadvantage.”

“No, I-” Eli found herself at a loss as to what to say.

Her first reaction was to say that she would accept whatever work he needed her to perform, or that she was perfectly capable of managing her magic and emotions, but didn’t get the chance to as he handed her a goblet of wine.

“If you want this cup of moonshine you better say so now. I’m going to need a few of these to last to the end of this,” he informed her offhandedly.

Eli squared her toes to face Tam, her mouth opening. Then closing.

She wanted to thank him, but not in a heartfelt way… More like… A coworker? An equal?

Instead what came out of her mouth was. “My lord, everyone says you are quiet and do not speak often… But you really are quite chatty.”

Tam snorted as he drank from his goblet and had to cover his nose as the burning liquor threatened to come out his nostrils.

Coughing, the future duke struggled to right himself, with his eyes watering, Eli was prompted into giving him a wary pat on his back.

Tam lifted his glistening dark eyes to her with a light of humor in them despite the rest of his face looking mildly incensed.

“You know… I’m baffled how anyone found you easy to overlook. Nearly every word out of your mouth is insulting.”

“Being called chatty is insulting?” Eli countered defensively.

“Did you mean it as a compliment?” Tam wondered while giving his chest a final thump for good measure before going to take another drink. He didn’t seem to care whether she had intended to taunt him or not.

The assistant didn’t get a chance to respond yet again because two noblewomen descended upon them.

“Lord Tam,” the first woman greeted with a curtsy, her smile hidden behind her lacey fan. She had pretty, auburn hair, and bright green eyes, though her dress was a mustard yellow and a few years out of fashion, it was made of superior quality…

“Lord Tam, are you having a nice evening?” The second woman had long, chestnut brown hair that she had partially tied back. She wore a modest plum colored dress, and kept her hands gently clasped in front of her skirts.

Standing next to the auburn haired woman who must have rattled when she walked thanks to the pearls she had draped over herself, she almost looked as though she were of commoner origins.

“Good evening,” Tam returned tightly.

Eli shuffled her right foot slightly, desperately wishing to flee, but the sharp jerk of Tam’s head in her direction had her freezing in place.

“Congratulations to you and your family, Lord Tam, I am Lady Josephine Wrights, and this is Lady Ivette Davenshire. We are here from Sorlia,” the brunette named Josephine explained kindly, her warm brown eyes soft as she spoke.

“Thank you.” Tam took in a very quiet breath, before turning to Eli who nearly recoiled when the two noblewomen did the same thing.

“Eli, you were just telling me about something quite interesting, what was that again…?”

Any pretense of good feelings toward Tamlin Ashowan dissipated faster than a drop of water on hot coals, as Eli was reminded the primary reason he had forced her to join the coronation reception.

“I’m sorry, my lord, I’ve completely forgotten. Pardon me, ladies, I must go take care of something very important for my l-”

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Eli turned and tried to flee, but Tam was quick, and seized the back of her collar and held her back. Reluctantly, she rejoined the discussion.

“No, no. Don’t worry. As your lord I think it is perfectly fine that you stay! Now. What was that very interesting thing you were talking about?” Tam asked through a pained smile and flashing eyes directed at Eli as the two noblewomen behind him shared looks mixed of uncertainty and irritation.

“We were talking about how it’s time you found yourself a wife.”

Eli knew she shouldn’t have done it. She knew she shouldn’t have thrown Tamlin Ashowan under the metaphorical carriage… Good Gods. He had been perfectly decent! He was helping her and being considerate far more than she deserved!

So his murderous expression was entirely justified, as behind him Ladies Josephine and Ivette beamed.

“I think you have misspoken, Eli, we were talking about you getting married. You see, Lady Joesphine, Lady Ivette, there seems to be quite a damning rumor going around that Eli here has five children already!” Tam turned back, looking like a picturesque nobleman in the blink of time it took for him to look away from Eli.

“Ah…” Lady Ivette replied slowly, her excitement snubbed.

“I must confess…” Josephine addressed Eli, the warmth in her eyes dwindling. “I have heard some strange things myself. Namely that you are the son of Mr. Reese Flint.”

Eli bowed graciously. “I am afraid that is not entirely true either.”

“But are you truly in a hurry to marry? You can’t be older than twenty! Lord Tam here is twenty-eight, and he isn’t even betrothed to anyone,” Lady Ivette’s fan lowered to reveal a broad mouth and square jaw.

“Well, that is because I’m committed to bachelorhood.” Tam inclined himself politely to them, his eyes becoming increasingly fixated on the floor.

Eli had noticed him looking up more often compared to when she had first met him, but seeing him almost fold in on himself away from the women made her wonder again whatever it was his magic was…

Feeling a pang of responsibility, particularly after he had been so considerate earlier, Eli reached over and patted Tam on the back.

“Yes. While I think Lord Tam should still marry, his lordship is only thinking of the future of the woman he would wed… To be a part of such a curse– ah. Pardon me. I was not supposed to speak of it…” Eli feigned an apologetic expression toward Tam.

Both noblewomen looked at each other, the reaction in their eyes ranging from disturbed horror to hungry curiosity.

“Whatever could be so-”

Eli held up a hand, silencing Lady Ivette, while she kept her other hand on Tam’s back. She could feel how still he’d gotten.

“I’m sorry, I really have said too much already. My lord, would you like some fresh air?”

Tam looked at Eli, gave her a remarkably convincing sad smile, and inclined himself toward the door in assent.

They managed to make their way through the crowd that was filled with all manner of blaring colors and music, laughs and loud conversations. Once they broke free into the corridor, the cool air was both shocking and refreshing.

Tam and Eli proceeded to walk away from the party, until at last they reached the front of the castle, where no one bothered to venture as the night’s festivities were really just beginning…

Feeling rather proud of herself for getting them out of the situation, Eli was surprised when Tam rounded on her, and looked concerned rather than pleased.

“Eli… I know you were trying to help, but you just made my life very difficult.”

“How? It deterred those women, didn’t it?”

“Remember how the coven is already concerned about how I could harm people? You think they aren’t going to be alarmed about a possible curse? Curses are one of the reasons that witches were hunted here in Daxaria, they are never taken lightly.”

“But everyone suspects something like that anyway!”

“We have always been very clear that my reservations with my magic had nothing to do with curses. I’m probably going to have to have a meeting about this before we leave to clear it up…” Tam sighed and started rubbing the back of his neck. “May as well go find Mr. Howard now. The sooner he knows to book something with the coven leader the better… Morgan is already drowning in paperwork…”

“I’m sorry.” Eli dropped her face down, remaining perfectly still before she clasped her hands contritely in front of herself.

“I understand… I do. After attempting to abandon me you were trying to make it up. I also know you did not grow up here in Daxaria, so you might not have learned about our history… I’ll handle it. Let’s just find Mr. Howard, and then go back to the reception, hm?”

Eli was feeling more uncomfortable than she had in her entire life.

She had never been given any leniency when she’d made a mistake…

Not by her parents. Not by her tutors. Not by the Troivackian king. Not even by Chin… Yet here was a stranger, being considerate, protecting her, and just being overall so… so…

“Come on. Don’t worry about it…” Tam patted her shoulder before striding past her back down the corridor, his hands finding their way into the pockets of his black trousers.

Tam had already made it a good way down the corridor, when Eli finally was able to will her feet to move again.

She sprinted down the hall after Tam, and tugged on the back of his long black coat that quite honestly fit him as well as a sheet despite the fine material.

When he turned around his face partially illuminated by the nearby torch on the wall, Eli still couldn’t bring herself to look up at him, she already felt completely at a loss as to how to handle him. He was the most lovely alone person she had ever met…

“What is wrong with you?” she blurted the words. She didn’t have to meet his gaze to know his face had hardened, so she plundered on. “You’re nice. Generally. You have a decent sense of humor. Your wonderful with children, you’re handsome-”

“Handsome?” Tam laughed, but Eli ignored him.

“You seem like you’d at least have a group of close friends, so… so why don’t you?”

Tam bent forward until he was eyeline with her. His dark eyes bore into her face until she finally looked at him.

He didn’t seem angry… But he didn’t look happy either… It was a rather indescribable expression really… But then he said,

“Why are you smart, funny, pretty, and isolating yourself?”

Eli flinched.

She hadn’t been called pretty since-

A thump in a nearby closet drew both Tam and Eli’s attention.

Frowning, Tam carefully reached for the door handle… Pulled it open, and…

His jaw dropped.

“Hannah?!” Tam spluttered as his father’s lifelong friend, and the head of housekeeping for the castle hid her disrobed state behind the man she was with… A man whose identity left Tam at a complete loss of words.

Eli tilted her head and eyed Tam and the man, confused as to why neither of them were closing the door to give the couple privacy…

So what if the king’s assistant, Mr. Kevin Howard, was in a clandestine relationship with Hannah the Head of Housekeeping? Neither of them were married anyway!