Page 121 of Journey to the Elderoak
“I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“We don’t shake hands. The curtsy and bow are in place of that,” said Thorne.
Sighing with relief she said, “Good because my hands are sweaty.”
“Though some of the bolder men may kiss your hand,” he added.
“Ugh, okay.” Casimir’s eyes flashed, as if he was jealous. She smirked at him. “What? You don’t like that idea, general?”
“Not one bit.”
Moments later a group of high fae approached, all dressed in elaborate dresses and gaudy tunics, the colors of green and gold on display. “Not royalty,” Thorne whispered into her ear. “Smile and welcome them.”
Ava did as he instructed. The group bowed and curtsied their greetings before they turned and ascended the stairs, headed inside.
“See?” he whispered. “That wasn’t so bad.”
She nodded, staying quiet as more guests filled in the streets and approached. They spent a while greeting citizens from both their kingdom and others. Orcs, goblins, fae and pixies. Everyone was welcome at the Solstice Ball.
Ava’s heart no longer raced and she was beginning to get the hang of things, smiling at the guests and welcoming them. She could do this.
Thorne leaned in and whispered, “Soren and Astrid have arrived.”
She looked down the line, finding the queens holding hands and smiling at the other guests as they made their way through the crowd. Soren’s red hair was beautiful against the deep blue gown she wore, and Astrid’s purple sequin dress sparkled in the lamplight.
They stopped before them, giving Ava and Thorne a curtsy. “Hello, dear friend. It’s so good to see you,” Soren said, voice low and sensual.
Thorne bowed back and kissed her hand. “It’s good to see you too, Soren.”
Ava curtsied. “It’s good to see you again, Your Majesty.”
Soren smiled warmly. “It’s lovely to see you again too. I am truly sorry about the troubles you faced during your visit,” she added with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
“Thank you,” Ava whispered. Soren stepped away as her wife approached.
Astrid’s dark blue eyes sparkled as she took Ava’s hands in hers and leaned in, whispering, “You’re doing great. I hate these types of things. If you need a companion to escape the monotony, come find me later. I’ll give you all the royal gossip.” She pulled back, winking. “Good to see you again.”
Astrid turned back to Thorne. “I do hope you sat us near you all for dinner. The other courts are so boring.”
Raine grinned. “Of course. I know you already miss my excellent sense of humor.”
Astrid and Soren walked away laughing, hand in hand.
“I really do like them,” whispered Ava.
“I do too,” Thorne whispered back.
After greeting a few more guests, a voice called Ava’s name. A familiar voice. High pitched and scratchy.
“Ava! Princess Ava! Miss Ava!”
Ava scanned the crowd, looking for the source, when she spotted him. Remy. The hobgoblin who had befriended her when they were both prisoners of Deidamia. The last time she’d seen him, they’d parted ways as he headed to his home with his brothers and she’d made her way to Mosshaven, saying their goodbyes. That was months ago.
She crouched to address her short friend, her eyes brimming with tears. “Remy!” she exclaimed as he waltzed up to her.
Opening her arms, she pulled him in for a hug and squeezed, a small sob leaving her throat. The two of them heldeach other for a long while, reveling in their reunion. She felt everyone’s eyes on her, but no one said a word. They broke the hug, and she met his stare.
He looked so much better than when she last saw him. The pallor of his green skin was gone, and he had filled out; no longer bony and starved. A clean tunic and pants replaced the rags he wore in camp and his smile was genuinely happy.
