Page 42 of To Love

“Of course,” she said, as men filed back into the keep around them.

She and Alden exchanged a look, both of them likely remembering their time together just before the fire.

“Lady Elara,” he said, in parting.

There was naught else she could say, not with so many others around.

“Master Alden.”

Just as he was about to step away, Alden closed the distance between them and whispered, “To answer your question, ’tis likely the woman you spied did indeed have his cock in her mouth. A man can also find release that way, just as you did.”

He backed away and offered a quick bow. “Good eve, my lady.”

As if he’d not just said that to her, Alden turned and left.

Despite everything . . . the fire, the chaos, her hands, which ached from passing along heavy buckets of water for so long . . .

She smiled.

Chapter

Seventeen

It was rare to see Elara in the hall for the evening meal.

Alden knew of her presence even before he saw her. He’d been about to take a sip of ale when an entire table of recruits’ heads turned toward the hall’s entrance. Their expressions were appreciative, and though at one time they could have been gazing at either Evelina or Amalia, both beautiful women, their being now married to fellow recruits had put a swift stop to the pining. There were pretty maids, but none that might illicit the broad smiles he spied.

If he needed acknowledgment of his suspicion, Alden had it in the form of an elbow to his side—Darien’s not-so-subtle way of informing him that Elara was, indeed, walking toward the dais.

He looked just as a seat was pulled out for her.

Resisting a groan, Alden turned away. Not wishing to stare at her in the same way as many of the others, fellow recruits he liked but also wished to punch in their leering faces, he concentrated on his ale instead.

As usual, she looked beautiful. He’d seen her but a moment but had memorized every detail. Long, flowing hair held back by a gold circlet around her head that matched the gold thread adorning her deep blue gown. Her expression, also typically serene, yet stern, as if she were about to scold one of the men, likely for leering at her as they did.

He understood why she took most meals in her chambers.

“How is she still unwed?” Aldric asked.

It would be surprising to Alden if he were able to get through this meal.

“If my father would allow it, I’d ask her to marry this very day,” Corwin said. “And you all know how opposed to matrimony I am.”

The others laughed. At least they spoke of her respectfully, as was her due.

“What of you, Alden?” Aldric asked. “What do you think of the lovely Strategies instructor?”

Darien nearly choked on his stew.

“Someone teach the archer how to chew his food,” Corwin jested.

“I know well,” Darien quipped back, “how to chew. And how to lie with a woman, which is more than can be said of you. At least . . .” He grinned. “From the rumors I’ve heard.”

“A pox on you, Ellsworth.”

Everyone laughed, including Alden.

Resisting the urge to look toward the dais, and glad to move on to another topic, he asked the men what they’d heard about last eve’s fire.