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- Author: Tamara Grantham
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“Because that’s the reality of the world we live in.”
He turned to me, sighing, then took my hand in his. “Then let’s ignore all that for now. I say we enjoy the evening.”
I couldn’t contain my smile. There was something about Raj that was so welcoming and genuine. He put my mind at ease unlike anyone else. “I agree.”
He stood and held out his hand. I took it, standing, doing my best to shrug off the unease of our conversation. I walked with him through the room, and he introduced me to one person after another. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and dozens of giggling nieces and nephews.
“There are so many. How do you keep track of them all?” I asked.
He laughed. “I suppose it’s different from what you’re used to.”
“Very different. I was an only child. I never knew my family except for my aunts, and my memories of them were brief and hardly ever pleasant. This is like a new world to me.”
“Yes, I guess it must be. Come, let me introduce you to my mother.”
He took my hand and tugged me across the room. A woman dressed in golden robes stood talking to a small group. She was shorter than me and had a slight, fragile frame, though her firm voice carried through the room.
“Mother,” Raj said. “Please meet Gothel.”
The woman turned her gaze on me. Black, intelligent eyes met mine. Wrinkles lined the skin of her small, angular face. She didn’t smile as she nodded in my direction, but her eyes shone with kindness, reminding me of her son.
Her smooth hands clasped mine, and she nodded respectfully.
“Sharo abedlin,” she said.
“Sorry,” Raj said, “she only speaks the native language. She says welcome.”
“Thank you,” I answered.
She nodded, a small smile creasing her mouth. In that one gesture, my fears melted away. I’d been so worried about meeting his family, and especially his mother, but maybe that was because I’d never had any good experiences to compare it to. It made me realize there were good people in the world, and not everyone was self-absorbed.
“Makis. Laroohonti ami.”
“She wishes us good luck on our journey,” Raj translated.
“Hania letti. Alliah damada upa edora.”
“She apologizes that my father is unable to meet you. He’s gone on a hunt.”
“Abu ledia.”
“But she hopes we enjoy the dancing tonight.”
“Tell her we will,” I said.
Raj spoke to his mother in their language, then shared a smile and a quiet chuckle, making me wonder what they were saying.
“Come,” Raj said, taking me by the elbow. “Let’s get to the dance before it’s over.”
We walked away from his mother and toward the doorway leading outside. As we stepped into the hallway, the conversation and laughter faded, replaced with the sound of our footsteps as we walked along the balcony overlooking the fountain. Even from here, I could hear the musical sound of the water as it trickled over the stone petals.
“What were you saying to your mother?” I asked.
He smiled, a look of mischievousness glinting in his eyes. “She told me to be careful with such a beautiful girl.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “She must have been exaggerating.”
“No,” he said, taking my hand. The warmth of his skin made my fingers tingle. “She wasn’t exaggerating in the least. She saw what I’ve always seen.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Why would you say that?”
I shrugged, feeling awkward and embarrassed at our conversation. He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingertips lingering on my skin, and my breath stuttered at his touch. Why did he have to make me feel so alive and amazing? Especially now since I’d found out who he was?
When we made it down the stairs and to the bottom floor, he still grasped my hand. I had the urge to ask him to let go, but he held my fingers in a firm grip, and I couldn’t find it within me to release him.
Warm wind brushed our cheeks as we left the building. The last rays of sunlight descended over the once beautiful city, making the shadows lengthen into long, painted streaks, dark against the light.
Tonight, I decided to let go of my fears and worries. I would enjoy my time with Raj and quit worrying about the future. Tonight, I would choose to be happy.
The music called to me. I’d never heard anything so lively and exhilarating. As Raj led me to the town square, the glow cast from the bonfire reflected off the forms of dancing people wearing colorful robes. Raj kept my hand in a firm grasp as he led me into the group.
“Do you dance?” he asked.
“Dance?”
“Yes,” he answered, a twinkle in his eyes. “Dance with me.”
I quickly scanned the faces of the people surrounding us. Wouldn’t they notice? He was their prince, after all. Would it bother them that he was dancing with an outsider? Plus, I hardly knew how.
“Raj, I don’t dance.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve only danced a few times before, and that was a very long time ago. I’ll make a fool of myself.”
“Nonsense.”
Raj led me through the crowd. With the warmth of his fingers gripping mine, I did my best to push aside my fears and follow him. We stood near the bonfire, its heat flickering over my blue robes as Raj took a step away from me, then gracefully bowed. When he straightened, he placed one hand on the small of my back. With his other hand, he gripped my fingers. Butterflies danced inside me at the feel of his skin on mine.
“The steps to the dance are pretty simple,” he said. “Front, side to side, back, front again, repeated. That’s it.”
As he guided me, it took me a few tries to make my feet work in concert with my body, but Raj gently corrected me, and soon, we moved together in harmony.
“I think I’m getting it,” I said.
“Yes, you’re a natural,” Raj said, smiling. With his arms holding me firmly, my remaining fears disappeared. He danced with a strong yet gentle command as he held me closely.
“You seem at home here,” he said.
“I suppose so, but you have to remember, I don’t really have a home. The tower isn’t somewhere I’d like to stay permanently.”
He sighed, glancing up at the hulking, empty buildings encircling us. “I’m not so sure this is my home either. To be honest, King Duc’Line’s castle feels more like home than here. But it is nice to see my family again.”
“I agree. Your mother and nieces and nephews seem like good people.”
“They are. Most of the time.”
“Most of the time?”
“Yes, they’re family. Love them one minute and can’t stand to be around them the next, but I would never choose anyone else. You know how it is.”
I wasn’t sure I did. I had nothing to compare it to.
As we danced, a cool breeze caressed my cheeks, and I stared up at the stars. “I wish we could stay here forever.”
“Me too,” Raj answered, his voice quiet.
My mind wandered, and I imagined what it would be like to live in the city restored to its former glory. I couldn’t picture a more beautiful place. But staying here wasn’t an option. I still had a piece of a magical radish in my pack that I hoped to use to barter for a pair of enchanted shears. Perhaps one day, when all this was done—assuming I survived and wasn’t killed by the man I was falling in love with—I would return to the once great city of Al-Maar.
“What are you thinking about?” Raj asked.
I shrugged. “Just wondering what I’ll do when this quest is over. Do you think I could come back and visit?”
“Yes, I don’t see why not.” He smiled, and the amber firelight flickering in his eyes made heat rush to my cheeks. What would it be like to spend my life here—with him? The thought seemed absurd in every way possible, and I couldn’t imagine such a future becoming reality. He was supposed to rescue the princess and kill the witch.
When the song ended, Raj led me to the edge of the crowd where we found Drekken and the dwarf waiting. The elf held his lute, his fingers twitching over the strings. The dwarf stood with his usual scowl.
“We’ve been waiting hours for you,” the dwarf grumbled. “When are we leaving this place?”
My heart sank. I didn’t want to ponder it.
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