Page 50 of Lady Knight and the Thief

Torren gently rapped his spoon against the side of his glass and held it aloft.

Instantly, the sound echoed throughout the throne room as people struck their glasses in unison and turned to look at the high table.

“Welcome, everyone! It is marvelous to be home once more,” Torren began, bowing slightly to his people.

“I want to personally thank each of you who have opened your homes to those who have needed it with the recent raids on settlements within the human lands. And, as always, A’aravos Paravale remains open to those in need.

“But, enough of that for now. I have just learned that my new friend, Lady Cypress,” Torren said and gestured with a hand to where Cypress sat next to him.

“-- has never truly enjoyed herself at a ball! Let's make sure to show my new friend a good time, hmm?”

Torren’s claim was met with raucous applause.

Cypress wanted to drop a flickering flame onto Torren's lap. She’d never been soangrywith him as he continued to speak.

She’d onlyjustconvinced Athima to refer to her by name. And now, Cypress would have to endure her false title for the rest of the party.

“Let us begin!” Torren shouted and clapped his hands twice.

Servants of every type of Fair Folk she had ever thought of emerged from doorways moments later, carrying trays laden with a veritable smorgasbord of items.

Quickly and efficiently, dinners were laid on tables, and drinks were poured into cups. When a servant arrived in front of Cypress and Torren with two jugs of deep blue and pinkish liquids, she offered her wares to Torren first, with a respectful bow of her head.

“What would you like to drink this evening, Sir?”

“The Pixie wine, please,” Torren replied from his seat, chin placed in his palm.

“Of course, sir. And for the lady?”

“What are my options?”

“Pixie wine, or fire vine juice,” the servant said with a small smile.

“I’ll take the wine,” Cypress said, nodding her thanks to the servant when she was done filling her glass.

Now equipped with wine– the first on the list of arsenal she’d need to deal with the rest of the night, Cypress turned to clink glasses with Torren. “Here’s to having fun,” she said, smiling lightly.

“You know, there is something you should be aware of with that wine, Lass,” Torren said after he raised his cup and clinked it softly against hers.

“What’s that?”

“Pixie wine is an aphrodisiac to Fair Folk. It makes our more… let’s saybaserinstincts come to the surface.”

“Why does that matter for me?” Cypress asked, and then took a delicate sip. The wine was sweet, but not overly so. The flavor burst over her tongue, warming her down to her toes as it settled in her stomach. She licked her lips, careful to capture any stray drop.

Torren tracked the movement, mercurial gray eyes bouncing back to hers after a moment. “I thought you should be aware, since it is likely one of my people will make a pass at you at some point this evening.”

“But the wine’s more potent effects won't be a problem for me?” Cypress asked and took another sip.

The heady spice of the wine made her feel as if she were gambling with every beat of her heart. It was a thrill that rivaled the moments before her lance made contact and sent her opponent flying off their horse.

Torren swallowed thickly, then took a sip from his glass. “No, for a human it is merely wine. An expensive, quite strong draught, but wine nonetheless.”

Cypress hummed and nodded her head. “Thank you for the warning, Prince.”

Torren grunted, then drained half of his glass in one long gulp. Then, he lifted his utensils and set upon his entree with vigor.

Torren’s plate was full of root vegetables and a rack of ribs, though from what type of animal she couldn’t say. Platters were strewn across tables, laden with fruits in every conceivable color.