Page 72 of Journey to the Elderoak
He walked to the door, pausing with his hand on the handle. “I’ll see you at training tomorrow. A hangover is not an excuse to miss.”
She swore she heard him groan and curse under his breath as he shut the door.
23
Ava sat alone in her living room, reading next to the fireplace as Casimir finished yet another meeting. Turning the page, she pulled the throw blanket higher, when Raine barged in. He was wearing a velvet brown tunic with emerald green embroidery, thick pants, shiny new boots and his hair was even more impeccable than usual.
“Get up and get ready,” he said, a mischievous look in his eye.
“Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“You’re never too busy to go dancing.”
She set down her book. “Dancing? Nope. I don’t dance. I’m a terrible dancer.”
“That will make it easier to tease you.” He brightened. “Therefore, making it more fun for me.” He grabbed her hand and yanked her off the couch, pushing her toward her room, and followed her inside. “Let’s go, dainty human. Get changed.”
She stood in the middle of her room, staring at him. “I don’t know what to wear. What kind of dancing is this?”
“The fun kind.” He turned to her wardrobe and shuffled through her clothing, pulling out an outfit.
“There is no fun kind of dancing.”
“Here,” he said, handing her the clothes. “Hurry. Everyone else is already headed that way.”
She took the clothes and walked to the bathroom. Raine had chosen a forest green velvet top with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. She pulled on the taupe skirt with vines embroidered along the hem. A pair of green boots completed the ensemble along with a green jade teardrop necklace.
As she finished getting dressed, she called out to him, “Who is going?”
“Everyone,” he called back. “Yes, even Cas. Since I know you were going to ask.”
“I was not,” she said as she walked into the bedroom, finger combing her long hair.
“By the way,” he asked. “Have you two fucked yet?”
She coughed, looking at him. “What? Of course not. We aren’t—I don’t—he doesn’t want that.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “He most definitely wants that.”
“I—it’s…complicated.”
He laughed as he grabbed two combs from her wardrobe and went around behind her, pinning her hair back on the sides. “Complicated? The only thing that’s complicated is you two are still holding back. You both want to. You should get it over with to spare us all from the sexual tension. I don’t think I can stomach another dinner with the two of you catching stolen glances from across the table.”
She scoffed, putting her hands on her hips and turning around to face him. “There are no stolen glances,” she said, emphasizing the last two words.
“You keep telling yourself that.” He looked her up and down and beamed. “Perfect. Let’s go.”
Wooden tables linedthe open room in the tavern, leaving space for a dance floor where citizens were twirling cheerily as a small ensemble played upbeat music with fiddles, flutes and mandolins. Lanterns hung from the rafters, illuminating the space, and the smell of ale and roasted meats hung in the air.
The joy was palpable, the sounds of boisterous voices blending as groups of friends sat together, drinking and gossiping as their worries faded away. This was one of Ava’s favorite things about Mosshaven. The camaraderie among the residents in town. Never did there seem to be unhappiness or strife, even in the midst of a brewing war.
She looked around, hands fingering the sides of her skirt as she took in the sights and sounds of the tavern. Raine grabbed her hand and tugged, leading her to a large table in the back where everyone was already seated.
“Sit,” he said. “I’m going to grab us drinks.”
She took the closest open seat which happened to be in between Quinn and Kai.
“Ava!” drawled Thorne.
