A Dragon's Tale Ch. 56

If she held out for him to agree to bonding, she might be able to coax him back to the man he had been many years ago with Helene. She would be entirely fine marrying him exactly as he was, but she thought he was more than he made himself out to be.

All she had to do was wait, hope, and pray that he would agree to bond.

* * *

Yalia beamed at Matthew's response to her latest question. She had been imitating what Luminar Percival was likely to say to Matthew when her friend challenged him about the depravity of man, and Matthew's answer was perfect. They were in her room while her parents were sitting at the kitchen table going over some tax forms.

"You're getting so good at this!" She hugged him excitedly.

"Thanks." He said as he hugged her back. "I think I'll be okay this time, especially if the prophet is there."

"He said he would be." She replied. "He still has a few days to get back so I'm sure it will be fine."

"Yalia, Matthew." Her father, Arven, called from the kitchen. "You've been holed up in there all afternoon; come get some dinner."

They both entered the kitchen and got some food. She noticed that her parents were smiling widely again; they had been doing that a lot lately but hadn't told her what they were so happy about.

They were about halfway through eating when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is that?" Yalia asked, looking at her parents.

Arven shrugged. "I have no idea."

"I'll get it." She volunteered, jumping up out of her seat and going to the door.

She opened it to see a woman standing there. The woman was tall, probably just over six feet. Although she looked like she was in her late forties, Yalia thought she probably looked young for her age. She was wearing a simple but elegant dress that somehow made her look slightly intimidating, though the young nymph couldn't figure out why. Her face had sharp, angular features and there was nary a laugh or smile line to be seen, though she looked pleasant enough right now.

Her hair was auburn in color and her eyes were dark grey.

"Hello, is this the house of Arven the Reeve?" The woman asked.

"That's me." Arven said, standing up and coming to the door. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was traveling through the area and asked where I might find an honest, trustworthy man who could tell me what isreally going on with the orcs here." She smiled. "I was somewhat surprised that they suggested that I talk to an Ivernian Reeve, but apparently they aren't all bad."

"Oh, he's bad alright." His wife, Ketura, said teasingly from behind him. "But he's also quite honest."

The visitor laughed. "Glad to hear that I wasn't misdirected. Might I come in?"

"Sure." The man stepped aside and held the door open and the auburn-haired woman stepped inside.

"I'm Arven, this is my wife Ketura--"

"Concubine." Ketura corrected.

Arven continued as if she hadn't interrupted. "--my daughter Yalia, and a family friend, Matthew." He indicated each in turn.

"I'm pleased to meet all of you." Their guest replied. "My name is Ekthros, Lady Ekthros."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Note: This chapter began and ended on day 104 of Ethan's life in the Ten Kingdoms.I submit new chapters on the last Wednesday of every month, and they usually drop after the 2-3 days review process. Thus I'll submit the next chapter on April 24th, and it'll probably drop on April 26th or 27th.

I'd like to extend a very special thanks to two of my readers, one of whom didn't want to be credited by name. So "Anonymous" and Joseph: thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.

STORY TAGS: dragon, magic, elf, teen, romance, virgin, harem, blonde, brunette, redhead