Page 127 of Journey to the Elderoak
Ava took another spoonful of soup as Orion turned and conversed with other guests, now ignoring her.
Soren leaned over Raine and Casimir. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. It will be nice to have another woman among these tiresome fae brutes.”
“They’re aggravating, aren’t they? Especially this one.” Ava jerked her head to Casimir who looked at her, feigning offense.
Soren leaned over and whispered, “You two are very sweet together, by the way.” She grinned knowingly, likely having been informed by her wife what she had caught them doing earlier.
Ava smiled. “So are the two of you.”
Staff removed their dishes as the first course came to an end and Jareth spoke for the first time since the dinner began. “Ava, sweetheart,” he said condescendingly. “When you get your fill of male brutes, come visit our kingdom. I could show you a thing or two about how true royalty behaves.”
She eyed him, trying to think of a response, but he continued.
“You know we’ve had a strenuous relationship with Monterre, thanks to my beastly brother.” Casimir tensed beside her, and she glared at Jareth. “My father has talked about an alliance between us, you know.”
The people seated around their end of the table had gone quiet, Thorne eyeing Jareth with ire.
Her brow knitted, anger rising at the insult toward Casimir. “And?”
“Well, I shall have to explain it to you in simpler terms, I imagine. You having been raised in such an oblivious household.” He sipped his wine. “I’m talking about marriage. I’m single and not getting any younger. The other women my father presented have bored me. You, on the other hand, will do nicely, I think. You won’t even have to do anything. I’ll do all the work and you can sit back…and take it.” He leered at her.
Casimir lunged across the table and grabbed his brother by the collar of his shirt, slamming his head on the wooden surface and holding him down. A vine wrapped around Jareth’s wrists behind him, ensuring he couldn’t use his magic.
Raine cursed under his breath as the rest of them tensed, watching the interaction.
“You will do well to remember who you are speaking to and whose court you are in,” Casimir seethed. “Don’t ever talk to her like that again or I will shove this goblet so far down your throat, you will be unable to speak at all.”
Thorne whispered, “Let him go, general.”
Casimir released his brother and sat back in his seat. Ava touched his arm and whispered, “I’m fine. He’s trying to get to you on purpose.”
Jareth rubbed his head and straightened his jacket, eyeballing Casimir with hatred.
“Is this how you allow your general to behave, Thorne? Like an animal?” Orion barked.
Thorne looked at Orion. “I see no problem with the generalof my army defending his princess. It is you who must control your son.”
Jareth looked between Ava and Casimir, putting two and two together, and laughed. “Oh, I know what’s going on,” he said. “The two of you. Really? Of course, you filthy semi-human would choose to be with a doltish hybrid. All the mingling in this kingdom has made you all soft.”
Rage coursed through Ava and before she had a chance to stop herself, she said, “Don’t insult him or I will make you wish you never stepped foot inside this ballroom, you narcissistic worm. It’s pathetic you resort to demeaning women to convince yourself you aren’t a small-dicked asshole with no prospects at all.”
“Oh fuck,” Raine whispered.
Everyone turned to her, aghast at the normally quiet woman ready to brawl with the astral prince.
“Control your woman,” Orion barked at Casimir who looked at him with boredom.
“I am no one’s woman,” she said as she narrowed her eyes at Casimir’s father.
Aelerion’s boisterous voice interrupted the tension. “Well, I think we’ve had enough of you and your son’s insults, Orion. Let us be done with his subject before I lose my appetite at your cruelty.”
Orion scoffed but remained quiet, as did Jareth and his mother. Everyone went back to their dinner and nothing more was said about the tiff.
Ava caught Quinn grinning at her and even Thorne, though trying to hide it, looked proud.
Casimir leaned in and whispered, “That was hot.”
“You know, Ava,” boomed Aelerion from across the table. “I think I like you.”
