Page 46 of A Simple Truth

The welcoming room matched the rest of the artistic décor. The large, fine ceramics nook was made from dark cherry wood, exposing well-made, decorated plates behind the glass. Masterfully painted art covered the rock walls, and an oval, burgundy, rug with yellow tassels covered most of the floor. A small oil chandelier hung low from big, wooden beams, lighting the room just enough for warmth and coziness to imbue the space. The large, rectangular table was covered with a white, embroidered tablecloth, and a beautiful flower vase served as a centerpiece. Already, a few dishes were set out on the table, though untouched.

When Aurelia demanded earlier that I come to dinner with her today, I had keenly accepted. In fact, I was very grateful for the chance to get away from the Destroyer camp for once, to put some distance between me and a certain ruthless General that was like a disease, making me feverish.

However, in some twisted turn of Fate, I had managed to do the complete opposite of that.

Because there, across the room were seated Zora, Xentar, and Orest… And unfortunately for me, the one man I wanted to see the least tonight.

“Oh, Finn, what a nice surprise!” Xentar, in his full magnificence, smiled wide, raising his large goblet, his long, thick braids filled with golden trinkets, fluidly moving with hisgesture. Zora raised her brows, surprised to see me. Orest just sent me a welcoming nod.

“I didn’t know you were joining us here.” Zora sent a sly smile to me, noticing the dress. I didn’t dare to glance at the General, whose piercing gaze I could feel against my skin.

Before I could respond, Aurelia ran into the room, bumping into me. She had changed into a new dress, her hair down, decorated with a small, light blue headband.

“Aw, everyone is here,” she happily proclaimed, going straight for the chair across the room. “That’s my spot. Everyone knows that’s my spot,” she speedily mentioned, as her silver eyes darted to me. “Here.” She sharply elbowed Orest, who was sitting right next to her.

“Aurelia Fredericka De Villiar, where are your manners, young lady?!” her mother protested but Aurelia nudged Orest again until he politely stood and took a seat next to Zora. The Commander awkwardly shifted in her seat making room for him.

“As my best friend, you will sit next to me.” Aurelia eagerly patted the empty chair between her and the General. I took a quick breath and made my way across the room.

Just because I’d sit right next to him didn’t mean I’d have to talk to him, I assured myself.

Yet, all those assurances and plans crumbled like a sandcastle against an ocean wave, as he swiftly stood up, pulling my chair out for me.

I blinked a second too long, considering telling him that I could move the chair myself. But I was a guest in someone’s house, and it was dinner; the least I could do was be polite.

“Thank you,” I forcefully muttered, sitting down. His muscled thigh, covered in dark pants, rested just a hair away from mine as he took a seat.

“You look rather…charming,” he murmured, taking a sip of what I hoped was wine. Something I desperately needed if I were to spend the next few hours sitting alongside him. “Can I not compliment you now?” he whispered, as both of us pretended to pay attention to a lively conversation happening across the table.

“I didn’t say anything,” I retorted, my voice hushed.

“Oh, but I can see those little angry flames in your eyes from a mile away,” he purred, leaning closer to me. “Though, you should know that your fury doesn’t scare me,” he whispered, and I was suddenly aware of just how close his mouth was to my ear.

“Oh good, and here I was, worried,” I replied, attempting to sound uninterested.

“Is that why your heart is racing all of a sudden?” He wickedly smirked, causing my heart to race even faster.

“Is that why yours is?” I snarkily shot back.

Gods, what a terrible comeback!

But my mind was completely useless, thanks to his close proximity. Instead of coming up with a quick-witted response, I was now more interested in the fact that he had leaned so far over, that our shoulders touched.

His sultry whisper poured straight into my ear, almost paralyzing me.

“Well, my heart is rather concerned, you see. The most stubborn yet captivating woman I’ve ever met, attempts to kill me, then she kisses me, then she stabs me, then she kisses me again, then she denies my dinner invitation and any interest in spending time with me beyond training, only to show up to dine with me in a gorgeous dress, looking absolutely enchanting. Whoever got it, must have great taste, by the way.” He grinned wide but continued. “But based on the overall pattern of her behavior, I’d say I am due to get stabbed by her again. So currently, I am worried about the amount of sharp silverwarelaying around, and the Basalt Glass dagger she has strapped to her thigh.”

He ran the back of his hand against my upper leg, stopping just at the hilt of the dagger as he tapped on it with the back of his finger, clicking his tongue in admonishment.

Failing to find anything of reasonable value to counter. I turned to face him, our gazes colliding. His dark, almost black eyes swallowed me whole.

“What are you doing here?” I finally managed to ask.

“Well, my original dinner plans got canceled so I decided to take up the standing invitation to the De Villiar’s house. You?” He leaned away from me, as he gratefully nodded, passing the basket with rolls across the table.

“Aurelia invited me here and I figured—” I took a roll and passed the basket to Aurelia.

“That it would get you far away from the camp...” he finished my sentence, his voice turning into a soft chuckle, a sound smooth and pleasant. “It seems we shared the same idea, Finnleah.”

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