Page 7 of Sweetling
It was when he went looking for his old friend Maxim that he’d stumbled across the man’s great secret. A humanazai. A half-fae, half-human child on the way.
He could hardly have believed, finding that seaside cottage on the border of the faelands, how his life and fate were about to change. Now, he had far more purpose than he’d ever dreamed.
As Allarion approached Lady Aislinn and Hakon, he noted a human girl chatting with them. He’d seen her before but not been introduced, though it took little to deduce who she was. The golden circlet round her brow would be tell enough, but her presence at the wedding had been widely announced and applauded before the ceremony began.
Princess Isolde, fourteen-year-old heir to the Eirean throne, had graced today on behalf of the royal family, bringing good tidings and congratulations.
She was a willowy girl, obviously amidst one of her human growth phases, her form slightly out of proportion as some parts grew while others hurried to catch up. Still, she seemed a bouncy girl, her smile wide as she talked with the couple.
Allarion didn’t have long to wait for his opening.
“I’ve heard tell of a unicorn living in the Darrowlands,” the princess said. “Is this true?”
“Indeed, Your Grace,” answered Lady Aislinn. “His name is Bellarand and he’s—”
Allarion stepped forward. “Gossiping in the stables and making a general nuisance of himself.”
The humans all looked at him owlishly, the princess’s guards twitching at his sudden appearance. Honestly, he was light on his feet, but they should have seen him coming. He wasn’t as tall as the orcs milling about the castle courtyard, but he was certainly tall enough to catch attention.
He grinned, trying to put the humans at ease, but this only seemed to make them blink more.
So strange. His grinning often elicited such reactions. Perhaps he ought to give it up.
Composing herself, Lady Aislinn swiftly made introductions. Allarion bit back his amusement watching the princess struggle to keep her mouth from falling open at meeting a fae.
“Grant me a moment with the happy couple, and I will personally introduce you to Bellarand,” Allarion promised. “And he’ll be on his best behavior.”
He didn’t miss how Lady Aislinn and Hakon exchanged worried looks, but the princess only giggled and agreed, bobbing her head to Lady Aislinn before heading off in the direction of the stables.
When he had them alone, Allarion bowed, his dark cloak sweeping over the cobblestones. Straightening, he tossed one side over his shoulder, revealing the deep blue velvet of his tunic, a sign of his new allegiance to the Darrows.
“My congratulations,” said Allarion. “Weddings are always happy days. I hope you may join the revelry soon.”
“I’ve been promised a few dances,” Lady Aislinn quipped, peering up at Hakon with arched brows.
The halfling’s ears went ruddy in a blush.How fascinating.Truly, humans and orcs were so expressive, changing colors with their moods. Their brows too were always moving, always revealing their innermost thoughts.
And even if they were good at controlling their colors and brows, their scents always gave them away. The acidity of anger, the tang of jealousy, the sweetness of affection, it all touched Allarion’s sensitive nose with truth.
He scented nothing but happiness from Lady Aislinn and her groom, though he could tell they were a tad wary of his presence still. It would take time for them to acclimate to him, just as he had much to learn of their kinds.
He hoped a humanazaiwould speed his education along.
“I won’t keep you long. I only wanted to inform you that I have chosen my promise.”
Hakon’s expression hardened, and curiously, he pulled his new bride tighter to his side.
Allarion watched dispassionately, unsure what the half-orc found disagreeable. He was the one who made the promise, after all. “Don’t worry yourself. It’s nothing for you to do. Not yet, at least.”
“I hope you mean to stay within the bounds of the law,” Lady Aislinn warned him.
“I’ll do my utmost,” Allarion said, laying his hand over his heart. His own promise. Or at least, as close to one as he was willing to make without actually handing over a precious promise. Fae were governed by their promises, bound to their word by magic. Unable to break them, or to lie, the fae had learned to be guarded with not only their promises but their words.
“What is it you want me to do?” asked Hakon, apparently not assured by Allarion’s assurance.
“That remains to be seen. For now, nothing.” He smiled again, finding the sudden tension quite amusing. “I have chosen a mate for myself. I have had my eye on her a while now, and weddings have a way of invigorating sentiment. I intend to pursue and claim her.”
He turned his gaze to find the object of his new affections, and Hakon and Lady Aislinn followed. At the far side of the courtyard, a handful of barmaids milled about, helping the castle staff serve beer and cider.
