Torgan Wine Ch. 43

"Yes, your Highness."

"That-that gift..." Isonei placed her hand over her heart looking at Mes unable to say anything more and the woman smiled proudly and inclined her head. Turning her attention to Draeseth she rose on her toes and he stooped to let her wrap her arms around his neck. "Thank you. I..."

He made an amused sound, "Had I given it to you quickly enough you might have been too speechless to-" Draeseth jerked back as she tried to put her tongue in his ear.

"You are the most wicked, horrible man I have ever met." She tried to give him a sour look and he broke into a grin.

"No other man would keep you entertained, woman."

Krouth cleared his throat pointedly holding a dark green leather belt much like the black one tied around his waist with a silver ring. Draeseth took the black one off and tied on the green, looking to both Isonei and Lislora for approval. Isonei beamed and Lislora looked slightly bemused.

"Who will walk with him?" The Torgan woman asked with a glance to Isonei.

"We both will, proudly and confidently. He has two arms and the more accustomed people become to seeing us all together the less we'll have to deal with concern that we're uncertain or that we were pressed into amending the Arrangement."

Draeseth gave a growling grunt and she looked at him sharply. "Do you believe you can persuade my father?"

"I will do my best. Your brother Burgath and the Queen may support me. I spent the morning answering questions about Aran Arrangements before I was ill at the gathering."

"Your Grace has been currying favor..." Krouth looked surprised.

"I told you I was perfectly capable of navigating the Court but that I don't enjoy it." Isonei smiled at him wryly. "I've had a few missteps due to my illness giving me a short temper and the medicine making my face fall off but-"

"You were born to navigate the Court, or to rule over it." Draeseth looked smug. "Daga Lothlaerith was right when he said Liadith should have warned of your devastating charm."

"Where would the fun be in warning people, Draeseth?" She gave him a bright, innocent smile and his face split in a wicked grin.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Krouth still looked vaguely bemused as he moved to answer it.

Countess Giserona stood outside expectantly. "Her Majesty thought someone should fetch you all to dinner."

"Are we late?" Isonei asked putting on a concerned expression.

"No, your Grace, you are meant to be the last to arrive." Krouth's eyes watched her carefully as she moved to kiss the baffled-looking Hodrim on the head and took Draeseth's arm.

"Are we ready?" She smiled warmly as Lislora was offered Draeseth's other arm.

"I-I believe so."

They both looked up to Draeseth who seemed slightly flushed but inclined his head. "Let us go to dinner."

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei smiled brightly as they walked into the large dining hall. A hush fell over the room as eyes fixed on them. Glancing up at Draeseth, she saw him holding a grimly proud expression and hoped Lislora was able to do the same.

Draeseth moved purposefully toward the royal table where it stood at the far end, one step above the two longer tables that stood lengthwise. On arriving, Isonei saw there was no place set for Lislora. She released Draeseth's arm and gave her a reassuring smile as she pulled the chair away from the table in invitation for the Torgan woman to sit. When she sat with an almost timid inclination of her head, it drew horrified sounding whispers from those at the lower tables. Draeseth's lips twitched slightly as he held out the chair next to Ougath for Isonei.

"Thank you, but I thought I might show off my dress before I sat." She draped the cloak over the chair in such a way that she could pull it back over her shoulders when she returned to her seat.

"As my Duchess wishes." He gave a glower to a waiting servant and they disappeared into a doorway, probably to fetch a place setting and chair for the standing Prince.

Doing her best to exude confidence and behave as if being stared at so intently was nothing out of the ordinary, Isonei made her way back around the tables the way they had come and then up the carpeted swath in the middle. Her playful twirl in the middle drew more murmurs and she came to a stop in front of where the King sat. With a beaming smile, she bobbed a brief curtsy.

"Your Majesty."

"Little Duchess," King Orgath looked as though he was both amused and annoyed. "Are you aware that it is almost unforgivably rude to invite someone to sit at my table when I have not had a place set for them?"

"I was worried it might be, but it seemed worse to let her sit somewhere else." She put on a thoughtful expression. "I had intended to have this discussion more privately but we wish to ask you to recognize Aran Arrangements as the equivalent of marriage. I didn't think you'd want to put Draeseth's second Duchess at another table." Dropping her chin, she widened her eyes donning a mildly contrite expression.

The servant who was bringing a place setting for Draeseth dropped the tableware he was carrying with an impressively loud clatter.

"That will be something to discuss after dinner, little Duchess, you are correct." His eyes narrowed slightly but Burgath was grinning broadly.

"You look lovely, Duchess Isonei. Not even Princess Daeira looked so lovely at her father's feasts." The grinning Prince placed his hand over his heart imitating the Lerian gesture.

"Thank you, Prince Burgath!" She returned it with a bright smile.

"Were you dressed like this when you met my son?" King Orgath looked at her, his consternation dissolving into a wistful smile.

"No. We met at the Festival, your Majesty. For the masquerades, the women all wear nearly sheer gowns. They're thin and light, silvery as if we're wearing cloth made of starlight. We wear our hair down for the festival as well as the loveliest masks that can be made. They shimmer and they're made in such a way that our eyes look larger and brighter." She tried not to laugh at the cheated expression on the King's face. "It was unseasonably cool that night and Draeseth was kind enough to invite me under his cloak."

Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat that carried from the end of the table in the quiet of the room. "It was the first evening where the weather was not wretchedly hot. I wore my cloak only because I did not enjoy the way I was stared at without it."

"I forced him to attend," Burgath spoke up with a wry smile. "He wore the most hideous mask that the mask maker would agree to make and chose to stalk around the gardens instead of enjoying the entertainments King Tamnaeuth had arranged for us. I thought he was avoiding temptation, not seeking it out."

"That was my intention. I wished to look at the flowers in the garden if I was forced to attend, not the women." Draeseth's eyes glittered when she glanced at him with a smile. "But my Isonei looked so delicate and lost, her pale blue skin and shining silver hair under the moonlight made her look like a star that had fallen from the sky. I ached to protect her and keep her close."

"You found a silver jewel in King Tamnaeuth's garden and stole her away." Burgath sounded bemused. "That was something her father said."

"The jewel of House Ernelis belongs to Torga now." King Orgath raised his glass and Isonei tried to hold her smile with difficulty. "We guard our jewels more jealously."

He spoke what sounded like a toast as plates filled with Aran looking appetizers were brought for the guests and everyone raised their glasses seconding him. After drinking the King asked curiously, "What gifts did my son bring you other than a second Duchess?"

"He let Lady Lislora bring Hodrim, and he gave me an exquisitely beautiful glass gift that had been made for me in the Kroscur." She looked back toward Draeseth smiling adoringly at the thought of it, "Lavendela blossoms and bees."

"I thought you were not one to be so moved by gifts, Nei." Kresh gave her a frosty look.

"Only thoughtful gifts move my silver Duchess. Her father has fields of lavendela and they have many hives they keep for honey. The gift was made for the sole purpose of cheering her and easing her homesickness."

"Lavendela made of glass?" King Orgath furrowed his brow, "I would think that to be difficult."

"It was not made hastily. I will show it to you, father. She wept because of its beauty."

"It was not an apology gift?" The King's eyes sparkled.

"No. Bringing the boy was the apology for leaving her alone at Court. Duchess Isonei loathes being alone, she requires a constant companion." Draeseth frowned slightly and glanced to Lislora.

Isonei took the opportunity to tease him and introduce Lislora favorably, "I do. My playful nature makes that taxing at times." She grinned impishly as he narrowed his eyes at her. "He finds Lislora much more restful, I think, and she is a very dear friend to me. I love her like a sister."

"Take your seat, little Duchess." King Orgath looked amused and turned his head toward Draeseth. "She tormented her Imperial Highness in your absence. The differences between Prince Andnaeuth and Duchess Isonei are immense but they share a certain relentless mischievousness. The company of Torgan women requires less effort to enjoy."

That drew laughs from the gathered nobles. Isonei ran her hand across Draeseth's shoulders as she crossed behind him and he made a pleased sound in his throat. Ougath looked at him questioningly.

"I enjoy flower wine because it requires more from me. My silver Duchess is the same."

"And your second Duchess?" Ougath eyed Lislora with a smirk.

"Kros Voyeh furh Kroscur. I have a silver jewel and black flower, both are beautiful and gentle."

"Tengk Ramols furh Kroscur." King Orgath joined the conversation with a sly smile, "You inherited my taste, but I married my jewel."

"My jewel wishes to give me the gift of having no bastards. She knows that it would mean a great deal to me to have my sons be equals."

"Lady Lislora took the test as well?"

"She did. The barley sprouted for both."

"Two sons..." The King smiled faintly at Lislora. "One at least will be a fighter; the other may be more of a charmer."

"Duchess Isonei can be formidable, father," Burgath spoke up and she could hear his grin. "You have to watch her with a fork."

"If you looked more like me, Prince Burgath, I would swear you were adopted from Ara. You are so much like my brothers." Her feigned annoyance set the King and Princes laughing. She pulled her cloak up over her shoulders and fastened it with a smile.

"Have you tired of showing off your dress?" Ougath gave her a teasing smile.

"No, but I'm getting cold." Isonei placed her hand on his wrist and he hissed.

"Your hand is like ice."

"The little Duchess chills quickly." King Orgath sounded thoughtful.

"The dress is much lighter than a Torgan gown." Draeseth frowned. "She looks lovely, but I would prefer she be warm. Her health is delicate enough."

"Perhaps dancing would warm her. I have arranged for Adareth's instructor to join us after the meal and allow us all to see the Jara danced well."

Draeseth's jaw clenched and Isonei murmured to Lislora, "Stroke his arm until he calms." She then turned to offer a bright smile to the King, "Dancing would help keep me warm and it isn't an Aran celebration without it. Does he know the Seivenis Jara as well?"

"He does. He traveled with us to Ara and learned it there, as we did." Burgath volunteered from the other side of the King and Queen, out of her line of sight. It took effort not to lean and look around them.

"The Jara is such a graceful dance; I was told the Seivenis Jara is faster." The King frowned slightly.

"It is, but still very graceful. House Seivenis-"

"House Seivenis?" The King interrupted her.

"The dance is named after them, they're known for their immense love of music and dancing. The music their sons and daughters write and play is some of the loveliest you'll ever hear. They wrote the music and the dance changed itself."

"You speak of them admiringly, were you pursued by any of them?" Ougath smirked slightly glancing at Draeseth.

"No!" Isonei giggled as if the Prince said something ridiculous. "They only pursue their music. They're often pursued, though. I require too much companionship to enjoy someone like that." She looked to Draeseth with a smile and saw him relax and offer her an almost imperceptible nod.

The remainder of the meal was spent diffusing jibes meant to aggravate Draeseth and playfully turning a few back onto the Princes delivering them, mostly Ougath, though at times Rogath and Burgath joined in. The King seemed to enjoy listening to the banter. Isonei barely remembered to nibble at the Aran foods that crossed her plate she was so occupied with the conversation.

Finally, the tables were cleared and the dessert was brought, honeyed baked apples, cleverly sliced and arranged to look like roses, and plates of honey blossom buns were brought as well.

King Orgath spoke with amusement after taking a bite of his baked apple, "You have always been quiet, Draeseth, but I expected to hear you speak at some point during the meal."

"There was no need, father. My silver Duchess has a more pleasant voice and I enjoyed watching her herd them like cattle through the conversation." His smug grin made Isonei laugh as she took a bite of the bun Lislora had offered her.

"She is well suited to the Court." King Orgath nodded, "But that you let her defend you from the barbs was surprising."

"They were not directed at me, father. My brothers were using them to see how quick she is on her feet."

"I was a little disappointed she refrained from jesting back for the most part." Prince Ougath gave her a sly smile.

"Your father organized a lovely Aran meal; I was doing my best to remember the manners that go with it." She fluttered her lashes and he laughed in his throat.

"How can you need a second Duchess when this one is so charming, brother?"

Draeseth looked for a moment as if he would respond sourly and then he leaned back in his chair and let his lips curve slightly, "It took three of you to entertain her over a meal. My second Duchess is restful. When Duchess Isonei feels well, her stamina is something even I envy. She often turns it to teasing to keep herself amused, and it makes a beautiful, restful woman feel like cool water after a bout."

"When she teases you it keeps us amused as well," Burgath spoke up and set his father and brothers laughing, even Draeseth gave a slow smile and inclined his head.

"I am becoming accustomed to her teasing. At times she can make me laugh at myself."

Rogath spoke up from the other side of the King sounding pleased, "You are always too serious, brother. Your silver Duchess is good for you. If she is willing to share you with another Duchess, I will support you both."

Someone coughed at one of the lower tables as if they were choking on their dessert.

"It will be discussed." King Orgath's tone was clearly meant to end the conversation.

Isonei finished her honey blossom bun and smiled as a servant hurried forward with a bowl of cool water for her to rinse her fingers with, murmuring, "Thank you." Drying her hands on her cloth napkin she looked at Draeseth questioningly and saw him furrow his brow as if he was uncertain what she wished to ask.

"If you have finished, little Duchess, perhaps you would demonstrate the Jara for us?" King Orgath spoke cheerfully and Isonei turned to smile at him.

"I would love to."

A young Torgan man as slim as Krouth entered the room with a small group of musicians. They took their places at the back of the room and looked to the King for a command.

Unfastening her cloak again and rising from her seat, Isonei smiled brightly as she made her way down to where they stood. "Do you speak Aran?" The slim man inclined his head with a faint smile. "The King would like to see the Jara, and I thought that if the musicians know how to play the Seivenis Jara he might enjoy seeing that as well."

"As your Grace wishes." He spoke briefly with the musicians and one of the older players hissed something back unhappily.

"Does he not know how to play it?" Isonei asked quietly.

"It is not as common to play here. They did not practice."

"House Seivenis has a reputation for liking music that's a little more difficult to play. Can you dance without music?"

He turned back to them and asked a question with a frown and one of the younger men with a bowed instrument nodded and answered him. "We will have one instrument to dance to, your Grace."

The man looked anxious and Isonei turned a warm smile on him. "What's your name?"

"Senith, your Grace."

"Senith, I promise to do my best not to step on your feet, as long as you don't step on mine. There's no need to be nervous."

His grey-green skin flushed slightly as he breathed a laugh. "Thank you, your Grace. The Black Prince's glower is intimidating. I am keenly aware that I am dancing with his Duchess."

"He's a kitten. Keep your eyes on me and don't forget to breathe." Senith took a breath and offered her his arm, moving to the middle of the wide carpeted area between the tables.

The music began and he stepped back to bow as she bobbed a curtsy. They stepped into position and the graceful dance began, she moved back and let him guide her through the turns as they danced up and down the length of the carpet until the song ended. Senith released her and they both assumed the same polite stances they had begun the dance in.

"Exquisite." King Orgath spoke with what sounded like genuine admiration. "Adareth will be heartbroken he was not able to join us."

"It may spare us pages of poetry about Duchess Isonei being as graceful as a bird on the wing." Burgath smiled faintly.

She chose to ignore him, "Your Majesty would enjoy seeing the Seivenis Jara."

"If you wish to dance it you may, little Duchess, but if I do not enjoy it you will dance the Jara again for me."

"I enjoy dancing, your Majesty. That isn't a threat." She gave him an impish smile and his dark eyes sparkled.

"Show us the Seivenis Jara." He said something in Torgan to the rest of the table and Draeseth made a loud displeased sound.

As they took position for the dance, Senith looked at her with a rueful smile, "If I dance poorly I could dance with you a third time."

"You can dance with me as often as Prince Draeseth allows it. You dance wonderfully." She beamed at him. "Are you the one Adareth was going to send to teach me Torgan dances?"

He beamed and inclined his head. Isonei glanced at the musician stepping forward, the man looked almost terrified. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes putting his bow to the instrument.

Senith began with the tighter spins of the Seivenis Jara before taking her in the quick step around the carpet. There was a murmur from the tables as they moved down and back, her skirt swirling against his legs at each smooth turn. With the song coming to an end he began the tighter spins again in the middle of the floor and ended by stepping forward and dipping her back.

Straightening and releasing her, Senith stepped back with a bow and Isonei smiled broadly pressing her hand to her heart. She turned to the King and saw him looking stunned but smiling faintly.

"If I have you dance again, little Duchess, your husband may crack his teeth." He made a gesture to the musician who had played alone and the man came forward. Senith walked her back to the end of the table while the King spoke to him.

"It was a joy, your Grace," he whispered before slipping out with the musicians.