Page 35 of Immortal Origins
Ambrose’s cheeks flushed at his compliment. “Who are you?”
“Dorian Graves, ma’am.” He swept his arm into a dramatic bow.
“I’m not a ma’am.” Ambrose’s nose crinkled.
“No. I’msure you’re not. You don’t look but to be a few years younger than me.” He looked her up and down.
“I’m sorry,” Ambrose gaped. “You don’t look that old.”
His eyes lit up once more as he tossed his head back and laughed. “That’s very kind of you.”
He was unlike anyone Ambrose had ever met. Everything about him was so full of life. He couldn’t have been from Eltoria, he didn’t act like anyone in the kingdom. He was so much less… rigid. His grin spread from ear to ear and even his clothes were unlike the warrior fashion found in the kingdom. He wore leather pants with a loose-fitting shirt that exposed the top of his chest where he wore a gold pendant shaped like the head of a dragon with an emerald for an eye.
“What was that song about?” she asked.
His smile grew sad and he winked at her. “A tale for another time.” Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of it before vanishing from sight, her still raised hand the only evidence he’d been there at all.
She had enough practice with it to recognize a minor illusion when she saw one and as she looked around she was left there to wonder,who was that man?
Chapter 15
“There you are!” Lily pushed her way through the crowd towards Ambrose, arms full of items, Akadian storming behind her. “I thought we lost you.”
“You are not to leave my sight again.” Akadian’s voice rumbled into her ear when they reached her. He bent low enough she could feel the reverberation in his words against her neck. “Ever.”
Ambrose lifted her chin and glared at him. “It’s your fault for not paying enough attention.” She wasn’t a servant anymore, she could go where she damn well pleased.
“See where arguing with me gets you.” His eyes flashed with something dangerous.
Ambrose gave him the same obscene gesture she’d used quite a few times now in response to him. Sometimes, words just didn’t have the same weight. She turned back to Lily and smiled at the mountain of items in her arms. “Did you buy out the whole store?”
“Mmmm…” Lily tilted her head and pretended to think about it. “Just about. You should’ve seen the shop-keep, he was so excited he closed up right behind us to enjoy the rest of the festival for himself. He was practically giddy.”
Ambrose stared at the mess she was holding. “Where are you going to put all of that?”
“Oh don’t worry about that, I’ve got it covered.” Lily tossed the stack into the air as a soft hum vibrated around it. She opened a small bag at her side and with a small spark the items disappeared before they could hit theground. With a satisfied smile she rubbed her hands in accomplishment. “There.Muchbetter.”
“I should’ve known you’d have a trick up your sleeve.”
Lily winked. “I always do.”
* * *
Lily dragged her to every corner of the festival, down every alley, determined not to miss a thing. They tried exotic fruits and sweets that Ambrose couldn’t have thought of in her wildest dreams. Cakes with edible flowers that melted as soon as they touched her tongue. A vibrant yellow and purple fruit so sour her face puckered as soon as the juices filled her mouth.
Bands and musicians played on every block, melodies from all corners of the kingdom dancing through the streets. Amber ales and fruit wines passed from happy hands to smiling mouths as they were gulped down.
While the palace was like a crypt, Ambrose was thrilled to see the terror hadn’t reached as far as the surrounding city. Humans and elven fae celebrating as though they could all die tomorrow. Rewarding themselves for a year of hard work.
The sun reached towards the horizon as hues of orange and pink filled the sky. Owners cheerfully closed their shops as the crowd made their way outside the gates where grass fields stretched into the distance. Magickal anticipation buzzed through the air at what was to come as they filed into the open spans. Logs had been expertly stacked in a tower just shorter than the city walls. Nineteen mages stood around the logs in a circle ten feet apart, dressed head to toe in the finest dragon leather that could be made. Black as the night sky above them, they wore silver and gold wrist links in the shape of flames that reached up their forearms. Ambrose snapped her attention to Akadian who matched with them perfectly.
“What’s going on?” She shot him a confused glance.
“Part of my royal duties,” he replied. “This shouldn’t take long. Stay close and in my line of sight.” He left her side and steppedinto formation with the other mages, filling the missing space that had clearly been waiting for him.
“This is my favorite part of the festival!” Lily squealed, shaking Ambrose’s arm.
“What’s going on?” she asked again. The last curve of the sun dipped from view, taking most of the light with it but left the warmth of the day to linger in the air.
