mundane.
“I know you’re torn apart by everything that is happening in your homeland, Kama,” Torrid said as he gripped my hand. “Our festivities are a celebration of joy and love. It gives us warriors, my brothers and I, our men and women who are fighting the sense of hope and encouragement we need to be reminded of what we are fighting for…this love, this life, this happiness. As dreadful as the war is, it’s strictly kept out of these events.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I think that’s a fabulous idea. I could use a night of happiness and joy. A night that doesn’t have the cloud of horror hanging over it.”
The dinner was a feast of roast duck, fresh garden vegetables and hot bread just out of the oven. Some also feasted on mincemeat pie, steaming and aromatic stew, and a wide variety of dried fruits.
“I hadn’t realized just how famished I was. I can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal, can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal, never mind this gift for my taste buds.”
“I’l be sure to let everyone know just how much you appreciated you meal. They al put a lot of work into these feasts and take great pride in the knowledge that ^>
“So, tel me, what’s your part in this great supper?”
Torrid smiled and I was sure he’d say something flippant about his role in the Western Nethers.
“Wel , I wanted to keep it as a surprise, but I’m the one responsible for the cherry torts that wil be brought out later.”
“Cherry torts?” I said skeptical y. “You?” He chuckled. “Yes, me. Do you doubt my culinary skil s?”
“Absolutely.”
He let out a loud and heartfelt chuckle that had his parents staring at us.
“I’m pleased to see this young woman’s capacity to have you laughing so heartily, my son.
With everything that is happening, here and elsewhere, it’s important to have someone in your life who makes you feel so lighthearted.” Torrid gripped my hand and nodded at his mother. ‘I realize that now, mother. I’ve been too serious lately, too caught up in the negotiation, battles and strategies. Kama is the breath of fresh air I so desperately needed.” He brought my fingers to his lips. “You're quickly becoming a very important part of my life, and I can say I’m very pleased with that.”
I hid my shock. His revelation was more than I could have hoped for. I’d been thinking of him so much, too much, but to hear he’d been thinking of me in the same way… I could feel a giggle shake me deep inside. I was giddy, happy and wanted to just lose myself in his arms.
His eyes held mine, heated with an emotion I’d never seen before; never on Liam or any other man. Just when I thought I’d melt right there in front of his parents and the whole Nethers gathering, a stream of entertainers entered the large bal room.
Three jugglers, dressed in skin light multicolored leotards, threw glimmering swords of crystal into the air, catching them with impressive precision. Clapping like a child I watched them, my breath stopping every time they teasingly al owed a crystal sword to almost fal to the floor.
“They’re funny in addition to being so talented,” I said, my eyes riveted to their every move.
When they moved on, a smal band of acrobats took up the floor, tumbling, twirling, and jumping. Perfectly synchronized, the mesmerized us with their flexibility and daring bravery.
My heart almost stopped when they threw a young girl high into the air. For the longest moment she was suspended as the band below formed a new configuration ^
A bel y dancer fol owed them, rol ing her tummy, swaying her hips and singing with her arms and hands. Her movements were liquid, grace flowing right down to her fingertips.
“I’l bet this is the entertainment you find most amusing.”
“She does have a lot of talent,” Torrid said.
“But I bet you could give her a run for her money, with just a bit of training.”
“Is that an offer?”
He
“I know you’re torn apart by everything that is happening in your homeland, Kama,” Torrid said as he gripped my hand. “Our festivities are a celebration of joy and love. It gives us warriors, my brothers and I, our men and women who are fighting the sense of hope and encouragement we need to be reminded of what we are fighting for…this love, this life, this happiness. As dreadful as the war is, it’s strictly kept out of these events.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I think that’s a fabulous idea. I could use a night of happiness and joy. A night that doesn’t have the cloud of horror hanging over it.”
The dinner was a feast of roast duck, fresh garden vegetables and hot bread just out of the oven. Some also feasted on mincemeat pie, steaming and aromatic stew, and a wide variety of dried fruits.
“I hadn’t realized just how famished I was. I can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal, can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal, never mind this gift for my taste buds.”
“I’l be sure to let everyone know just how much you appreciated you meal. They al put a lot of work into these feasts and take great pride in the knowledge that ^>
“So, tel me, what’s your part in this great supper?”
Torrid smiled and I was sure he’d say something flippant about his role in the Western Nethers.
“Wel , I wanted to keep it as a surprise, but I’m the one responsible for the cherry torts that wil be brought out later.”
“Cherry torts?” I said skeptical y. “You?” He chuckled. “Yes, me. Do you doubt my culinary skil s?”
“Absolutely.”
He let out a loud and heartfelt chuckle that had his parents staring at us.
“I’m pleased to see this young woman’s capacity to have you laughing so heartily, my son.
With everything that is happening, here and elsewhere, it’s important to have someone in your life who makes you feel so lighthearted.” Torrid gripped my hand and nodded at his mother. ‘I realize that now, mother. I’ve been too serious lately, too caught up in the negotiation, battles and strategies. Kama is the breath of fresh air I so desperately needed.” He brought my fingers to his lips. “You're quickly becoming a very important part of my life, and I can say I’m very pleased with that.”
I hid my shock. His revelation was more than I could have hoped for. I’d been thinking of him so much, too much, but to hear he’d been thinking of me in the same way… I could feel a giggle shake me deep inside. I was giddy, happy and wanted to just lose myself in his arms.
His eyes held mine, heated with an emotion I’d never seen before; never on Liam or any other man. Just when I thought I’d melt right there in front of his parents and the whole Nethers gathering, a stream of entertainers entered the large bal room.
Three jugglers, dressed in skin light multicolored leotards, threw glimmering swords of crystal into the air, catching them with impressive precision. Clapping like a child I watched them, my breath stopping every time they teasingly al owed a crystal sword to almost fal to the floor.
“They’re funny in addition to being so talented,” I said, my eyes riveted to their every move.
When they moved on, a smal band of acrobats took up the floor, tumbling, twirling, and jumping. Perfectly synchronized, the mesmerized us with their flexibility and daring bravery.
My heart almost stopped when they threw a young girl high into the air. For the longest moment she was suspended as the band below formed a new configuration ^
A bel y dancer fol owed them, rol ing her tummy, swaying her hips and singing with her arms and hands. Her movements were liquid, grace flowing right down to her fingertips.
“I’l bet this is the entertainment you find most amusing.”
“She does have a lot of talent,” Torrid said.
“But I bet you could give her a run for her money, with just a bit of training.”
“Is that an offer?”
He
Similar Books
