Avalyne Series 02: The Easterling Read Online Free Page B

fear not for long. I am told that he has been summoned home to Eden Halas by his father Kangaloon.’
    ‘ Well that is hardly surprising,’ Melia snorted. ‘If he were my son I would try to keep a tight rein on him as well.’
    Celene chuckled and remarked, ‘I see you remember him well then.’
    ‘ And trying to forget him just as well,’ Melia replied sarcastically, recalling how she had almost taken her knife to him when they travelled together. He had taken the notion of chivalry beyond the boundaries of its intended use. She could not understand how he could have fought Syphia with her at his side and then treat her like some fragile damsel who needed protection the next minute.
    ‘ Are we speaking of the same, polite elf?’ Celene teased.
    ‘ Are we speaking of a polite elf?’ Melia cocked a brow at her.
    Celene laughed and Melia joined her before the conversation regarding the Prince of Eden Halas deteriorated even further.
    ‘ It is time we join the others for dinner,’ Celene prompted their departure. ‘Arianne thought you might prefer a friendly face to accompany you to the hall instead of a serving girl. We will talk more tonight.’
    ‘ I am grateful for your company,’ Melia did not lie in admitting that Arianne was extremely correct about that assertion. She made a mental note to thank the Queen for the consideration when they had a moment alone. Hopefully the rest of the night would transpire as smoothly.
    ******
    ‘Did you miss me?’
    A familiar voice spoke so closely to Melia’s ear she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. They were just about to enter the corridor leading to the great hall when they were intercepted by someone who knew how to approach them without giving any indication of his presence.
    Melia sucked in her breath, perfectly awar e of whom had asked the question and replied sweetly without turning around. ‘Like the pox.’
    ‘ Are you saying you afflicted with me?’ Aeron asked as he rounded the two women and stood next to Melia, smirking.
    Celene rolled her eyes, aware that Kyou’s description of the two had been quite accurate. ‘ Prince Aeron, I take it you remember Melia?’
    ‘ Vaguely,’ Aeron shrugged, a little smile crossing lips as his eyes continued to stare at Melia. ‘Though I am certain that it was a scruffy watch guard I travelled with, not this woman,’ his eyes moved over her form, showing his approval of her dress.
    ‘ I remember you,’ Melia retorted, feeling uncomfortable enough in these clothes without this elven aristocrat making her feel more self-conscious about it ‘You were that annoying little puppy that kept tugging at my heels. I thought I had lost you in woods with the hopes you would not find your way home.’
    ‘ It is good to see that Kyou was not exaggerating,’ Celene chuckled, shaking her head while she drew away from them both to keep being caught in their sparring match. ‘I leave you to your verbal jousting. If you can rest your bladed tongues for long enough, do join us in the hall. I believe the Queenies waiting.’
    Neither spoke until Celene had gone and despite his earlier reminders to himself to keep from falling into old patterns around her, that resolve crumbled the instant Aeron laid eyes upon her. She was just as he remembered but the dress took his breath away even though he hid it well. It was her spirit he admired so when they first encountered each other. The lady was lovely too but it was secondary to her will and her wit which he found very similar to his own. However, this was the first time he realised how truly female she was and it had robbed him of the sense to curtail feelings he knew he should not be entertaining in the slightest.
    ‘ Would you let me escort you?’ He asked offering her his arm.
    ‘ Now you behave like a nobleman?’ She stared at him, wondering what was to be done with this impossible elf.
    ‘ A moment ago I was pox,’ he pointed out. ‘It requires time to rise