Esterpine

Jeanine finished the final touches on her hair. She'd donned a silver gown for the ball. It was silly, the need to change from the purple gown worn earlier into something else. Feowen had been insistent that appearances were everything. He'd be wearing silver too.

A tap on the glass door got her attention. She saw Feowen waiting outside. She faltered, then picked up her pace to admit him. "Flowers?" She eyed the bouquet in his hand.

"For you, of course. I hear this is the sort of thing humans do?" He lifted a perfectly arched dark eyebrow.

She held in her chuckle. "Yes, I suppose so. My father used to sneak out during spring and collect wildflowers for my mother." A pang of sadness tightened her chest. She pushed it away.

"Right. Have you a vase for them?" he asked. She eyed him a moment longer, then glanced around the dwelling. "Ah, this will do," he said, striding forward before she could stop him. He plucked a vase from one of the displays in the sitting area, muttered a few words in his Sprite language, effectively filling it with water before slipping the flowers in. He'd picked a variety, with bursts of color in every shade.

She watched, unable to tear her eyes from him. He wore the same black pants from earlier, but a silver tunic that was nearly translucent. His luminescent markings flowed over the corded muscles along his back, shoulders, arms. Her mouth went dry. She swallowed.

"Jeanine?"

"Huh?"

"I said, where would you like them?"

"Oh." She cleared her throat. "On the table, please." She barely looked at the flowers, even though they were beautiful, unable to tear her eyes from him. He set the vase down and stalked over to her.

"You look ravishing," he said, pulling her into his arms. His eyes darted to her chest, to his Solstice gift. A stunning necklace of starlight silver that glittered with white diamonds.

"Feowen!" she scolded, trying to push at him as he pressed her against him.

"What?"

"Everyone will see." It was true. Sprites made their way down the walking paths to the throne room where the Spring Solstice ball was being held. Some of the paths directly passed her dwelling. And since the walls were glass, they were on display.

"So? Let them see." His mouth captured hers. Heat pooled in her core. She couldn't push him away—not now. So she kissed him back. His lips lingered, but at last, he pulled away. "I hope you will promise me the first dance of the evening? Actually, on second thought..." He hesitated. "Is it too much to ask that you reserve every dance of the evening for me?"

She tutted. "I'll see what I can do." Her stomach fluttered.

Feowen only smiled, taking her hand, leading her through the city. "These stars are truly something," he mused. They glittered in the growing darkness, light sparkling through various colors. It was enamoring.

"I can't believe Claire folded so many! My fingers would have fallen off."

Feowen barked a laugh. "I'd have kissed them better, you should know that."

"Since when did you get so sweet?" she teased.

He turned to her, eyes narrowed. "Perhaps when you got interesting?"

"But I have always been interesting. And that would imply that you've always been sweet. Mostly, you've just been annoying."

He dropped his jaw in mock surprise. "Me? Annoying?"

She grinned, ignoring the heat that flushed her cheeks. Instead of answering, she squeezed his hand. They had arrived.

The steps of the palace loomed before them. Couples milled about, Sprites in their finest, laughing, some carrying crystal goblets brimming with wine.

"I think I'll need some of that," she found herself saying.

"And I think I can accommodate," Feowen answered, tugging her up the stairs. She huffed a laugh, letting him lead her.

Music, previously just a whisper, exploded all around her the moment they were through the doors leading to the throne room. Not only were her ears alight with sounds, her eyes feasted on the decadence of color. The throne room was bursting to the brim with greenery and growth. Boughs of heavy blossoms draped across trellises that had been constructed all around the perimeter. Within the center, the floor was kept empty for the myriad of dancing couples. Gowns of gauzy color fluttered off bodies spinning this way and that. Laughter echoed high up into the cavernous crystal.

She stood frozen, hand in Feowen's, taking everything in. Across the way, she spotted several of the villagers from Kaljah. They waved at her and she waved back. Feowen gave her a moment before pulling her to the side. A serving Sprite passed, tray full of crystal goblets. Feowen dropped her hand to grab two, passing one to her.

A myriad of sweet flavors burst over her tongue as she took a sip. "Careful with that, Feowen warned. Blossom wine is reserved for special occasions like this one. Imagine it's much stronger for humans. I won't mind carrying you out of here, but something tells me your dignity might."

The mix of flavors was indescribable. They blended and transformed, sticking to her tongue long after the liquid was swallowed. At first, she thought it was fruity. Then it tasted floral. Then tart. "It's delicious," she breathed, taking a healthier sip this time, trying to pin down what she was tasting.

"Careful," Feowen warned again, lifting an eyebrow even though he was smiling.

A hush fell across the throne room. The music stopped. She hesitated, then found Feowen's gaze trained above, on the spiral stairs.

Her breath caught in her chest. "Wow," she breathed. "She looks like a goddess!"

Claire had appeared on the landing, a Shield on each arm. She began descending the winding stairs. Her golden gown fanned out behind her, trailing in her wake. It wasn't until she descended to the lowest stairs that Jeanine made out the exact cut of her gown. Her cheeks flushed at the amount of skin on display. While Sprites had no qualms, humans often did. But Claire showed no sign of discomfort. She wore her gown with pride, a radiant smile on her face, crown glittering atop her head.

The entire room went to a knee. She quickly followed suit.

"Welcome, one and all. I am enamored by the display tonight. Our ball organizers have truly outdone themselves," Queen Claire said. "Please, rise, enjoy."

This low, she couldn't see what was happening, but when those around her began to stand, she followed suit.

Claire stepped foot on the floor and the Spriten musicians took that as their cue. They picked up their instruments and began playing once more. Claire's escorts led her to the dais, to the throne, where she was seated to watch the festivities. "Will she sit there all night?" Jeanine asked Feowen, whispering. It was still rather quiet.

"Only for a time. It's customary for the queen to regard the frivolity of her people, to preside over the festivities for a time. She'll dance later, I'm sure. I suppose I should request a dance...that is, if you can spare me?"

She grinned at him. "I'm not quite sure I can. But I suppose for our queen, one dance should be observed. You are her captain of the guard, after all."

"Very well, I will take your suggestion to heart." He placed a hand over his heart, mischief dancing in his eyes. "And anyway, speaking of dancing, shall we?"

He began pulling her towards the dance floor. "But..." She took another sip of her goblet. "I haven't finished my—" A serving Sprite appeared, this one male. He reached out with an empty tray. Draining the remainder of the sweet liquid, she gave a giggle, enjoying the warm rush through her blood, and set the goblet down. Feowen did the same before sweeping her out to the floor.

All around her, it was a dizzying rush of bodies. Feowen held her firmly, circling her about. She hiccuped, laughed at the immodest sound of it, then hiccuped again. Feowen only chuckled. All around her, the colors blurred to a swirl, vibrant, entrancing. Her gown swept out behind her. It was a wonder she didn't trip.

Beneath her skin, her blood rushed, heated, prickled. Whatever the blossom wine was doing, she loved it. The fire in her chest made her feel bold. Like she could grab Feowen right here on the floor and kiss him in front of everyone.

"You probably could. I'm sure they wouldn't mind." His eyes smoldered, catching hers.

Her jaw dropped open. "I...I said that out loud?"

"You did."

Gods! How had she not realized?!

"It's the wine," Feowen said, chuckling.

"The—wait, I said that out loud too?"

"You did." He spun her around, catching them up in another procession of dancing couples.

"But, I don't..."

"I told you it was strong. You drained the whole goblet."

Her mouth opened and closed. Wait, had she? The whole goblet? Oh yes, she had. Just before setting it on the tray. But, it was so good! She already wanted another.

"I'm sure we can accommodate for that," Feowen said. Because she must have said that out loud too. "I told you I wasn't sure how it would affect humans. But never mind. Let's dance a bit more, and then you can reward yourself." She gave him a bold pout. That only made him grin more.

They danced and danced. At one point, Feowen did get her another goblet of wine. She drank it nearly as quickly. After that, she didn't bother questioning his ability to read her thoughts. "I swear I was only thinking that," she said, when she accidentally commented on a kissing couple in the corner. Feowen merely laughed.

As the evening wore on, Claire abandoned her dais to dance. There was no absence of partners to be had. Her first was with Reyr, and then Koldis. After that, Jeanine spotted Koldis with Princess Taylynn. In fact, he didn't much leave her arms the entire night. Claire, however, was passed from Sprite to Sprite. Some were nobles, others weren't. She didn't deny a single request, and requests there were aplenty.

Jeanine didn't envy the queen her obligations. How tedious. Her feet must have been killing her.

"They probably are," Feowen agreed. "And she's probably tired of all the formalities too," Feowen pulled her over to the dessert table. Jeanine's eyes went wide at the mini pies, tiny cakes, and frosted fruits. "I'm going to leave you here. Something tells me—you mostly, with your loud verbal thoughts—that you'll be plenty distracted by all these delectable bites while I ask our queen for a dance?"

Yes, she would be quite occupied here. Feowen laughed at that. Then he kissed her cheek, and went in search of Claire. She grabbed a plate, piled it high with tasty bites, then stood off to the side to watch the dancing couples. A few villagers offered her greetings as they passed.

She watched Claire and Feowen spin about the floor. It was almost uncanny, the small similarities she saw in them now. Knowing they were cousins helped, but there were tiny markers. Like the similar shape of their noses, the mild angle of their eyes, the swoop of their jaws.

"She makes a fine queen, does she not?"

She jumped, almost spilling the contents from her plate. "Oh. Lord Reyr. Hello."

"Hello." His eyes traced Claire's movements. He retracted his gaze for a moment, spotted her plate piled high and smiled. "That looks tasty." Quick as an adder, he plucked one of the mini pies.

Hey, that was hers. Not fair!

"Mine now," he said, mouth full, grinning while he chewed.

"Oh, gods. It seems the wine puts all my thoughts on full display."

"The blossom wine?" He lifted his brows. "Dangerous stuff. I'd recommend staying away from it."

But she'd already had two goblets!

"Well then, no wonder you're speaking every single thought that comes to mind. Did Feowen put you up to that?"

"No," she grumbled. He'd warned her, sure. But it had tasted so good.

"It is rather delicious. Already had three goblets myself." Her jaw dropped. "I'm a Drengr, remember?"

Oh, right.

A few minutes later, the song ended and Feowen reappeared, greeting Reyr, who took his leave, offering her a snickering grin before doing so. Great, she'd probably said something else embarrassing.

"Having fun?" Feowen asked.

"Too much, it seems." She picked the remaining treats off her plate before Feowen led her back onto the dance floor. They danced for hours, it seemed, until the night wained, the music slowed, and the energy of the room calmed. That's how she found herself in Feowen's arms, her head resting on his chest as he gently rocked her to the lull of the music.

"I'm glad you'll be joining me when we leave," she whispered. The thought of leaving him behind was sad, but that hadn't stopped her for volunteering to be Claire's first Queen's Guard.

"I'm glad too. I like this thing between us...whatever it is. I like you, spending time with you. I haven't been this..."

"This, what?"

"Enamored, by anyone or anything for a long, long time."

His complement sent warmth trickling to her very toes. She wouldn't have to say goodbye to him. Whatever was happening between them, it could carry on. Who knew what they would face when they reached Squall's End? But at least they would face it together.

"Together," Feowen confirmed. Then he tilted her chin up, leaned forward, and kissed her long and deep, right there on the dance floor in front of the entire Sprite kingdom. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hi Bookdragons! 

This chapter was on the shorter side, so I decided to post it as a bonus. Yay! Originally, it wasn't part of the manuscript. But a wise female by the name of Maddy read my entire manuscript recently, because she's one of my most special beta readers, and had the excellent advice that readers would LOVE to see a short scene from the actual ball, promptly planned to write one. So...you have HER to thank! And in hindsight, I really should have included something from the get-go.

I just miiiiight have another bonus coming mid-week from Talon's POV (or two over the weekend next weekend). We're nearing the end, folks. So let's enjoy these final eight-ish chapters before we must say goodbye for a time. Until I start writing book 5, which I haven't even allowed myself to think about. You can expect bonus chappies in the coming weeks. I hope to have this entire thing posted by the middle of May! That's...what? Eight chapters in 2 weeks? Wozza!

Okay, off to go write some more.

Byeeee,

Mel