Red Rope of Fate by K.M. Shea Page B

straightened and looked to her, quirking an eyebrow. Tari ruefully smiled and shook her head, glancing back to Crown Princess Yvrea and Crown Prince Benjimir.
    Crown Princess Yvrea smiled and raised her wine goblet to her lips. “Now that is what a Nodusigm pair should be like,” she praised before glancing to the Crown Prince. “Ah Benji,” she trailed off before making the gesture for “translator” and “where.”
    “Coming,” Crown Prince Benjimir replied via sign language.
    Crown Princess Yvrea nodded and returned her attention back to Tari, clearly ready to settle in and converse for a lengthy time, when Crown Prince Benjimir said, “Yvrea,” again in nearly accent-less elvish before he started signing. “Royal duty,” he signed, “Speak with,” “Guests.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Give thanks” and a sign Tari thought stood for “person of honor,” but wasn’t certain.
    “Ahh, Benji is right. We really should greet the hostess,” Crown Princess Yvrea said, nodding to show her agreement. “I’m so glad we had a chance to talk. Please, call on me sometime,” she said, hugging Tari again before straightening the skirts of her forest green dress. She slipped into the busy crowd. Crown Prince Benjimir inclined his head to Tari, his face devoid of emotion, before joining her.
    Tari smiled as she watched them go, nodding to a group of elves that wandered in her direction to exchange pleasantries.
    The rest of the evening was spent talking, mostly with humans via a translator, but also to some of the translators themselves. (Surprise.)
    Arion rescued Tari an hour later from the clutches of a duchess and a translator.
    “Thank you,” Tari sighed, her arm linked with Arion’s as they walked the perimeter of the room. “I fear I’m starting to resemble a damp rag.”
    “I doubt any elf can resemble something so low,” Arion said.
    “If this party continues much longer we shall certainly find out,” Tari grinned for a moment. Her smile faded and she added, “Do not think you have completely wormed out of this. I am still angry with you for not telling me about this tea. I appreciate the thoughts behind the actions, but I do not like being left out of such decisions.”
    Arion nodded, “I knew I would very likely provoke you, but I will not allow anyone—even my own kin—to use you.”
    Tari and Arion stopped to watch Princess Claire and her husband, Prince Vincent. The princess was all smiles as she held her husband’s hand. The prince looked at her with deep affection and indulgence warming his eyes. “She looks very happy,” Tari observed.
    “She is,” Arion said. “This is her eighth time hosting a tea, and she has never been able amass such a crowd. She is happily wed, but sometimes I suspect the political nature of it all drains her of her joy.”
    Tari nodded, still watching the young couple—Vincent was barely 20 summers, and Claire was a year or two younger.
    “Tari,” Arion said, drawing Tari’s attention.
    When Tari looked to him Arion pulled his arm from hers. “Thank you. Thank you for coming, I did not want to impose on you, but it has changed my sister. You are truly selfless,” Arion said.
    Tari opened her mouth—about to joke that sweet talk wouldn’t buy her forgiveness—when she was shocked speechless by Arion.
    The captain picked up her right hand, raised it to his lips and kissed her bare fingers, keeping his glittering eyes on Tari. Although he wore a ghost of a smile, his eyes were serious.
    Tari’s thoughts screeched to a halt, and her mouth went dry. She slammed an iron door on her feelings and concentrated on nothing.
    Arion lowered her hand and released it before studying the guests.
    The two were silent for a moment before Arion spoke again. “Feel free leave. I know you must be tired from your practice. Sleep well, Tari,” Arion said before departing.
     

     
    Chapter 6
    Reluctantly in Love
    Tari watched Arion leave before turning