He headed for the dining hall to grab a bite to eat. She had given him nourishment for his soul, now he needed it for his body. There were things that needed attending to, decisions that had to be made, and he couldn’t do any of them on an empty stomach.
When he entered the hall, fresh and new, there was almost a bounce in his step, a youthful jaunt in his stride. He was met by Alekzand’r coming out. They bumped into each other, and Alek stepped back, looking at his friend with curiosity.
He couldn’t be sure, but he swore Dain was giddy. Not outwardly so much, but Alek knew his king and friend well, and he could tell something had changed.
He continued to look at him, saying nothing. Dain smiled outwardly and grabbed his friend in a hug. “Alek, good to see you this fine morning. Have you eaten already? Sit, have some wine with me.”
Alek was suspicious. He hadn’t seen his king this genuinely happy in years. “What’s happened? You look almost radiant this morning.”
“Well, it’s a beautiful day and I slept well. Better than I have in years.”
Now he really was suspicious. There was something amiss. He realized for the first time, that it was late in the morning and he hadn’t yet seen Melenthia for breakfast. Suddenly a thought hit him. He knew then what was going on, and he didn’t like it in the least.
“My God, Dain, what have you done?”
Dain went around his friend and seated himself in his chair at the head of the table. A servant brought him food and poured some wine. The servant left. Alek sat down angrily next to his king.
“Answer me, Dain, what have you done?”
“Relax, Alek, I have done nothing. Can’t a man feel vibrant on a morning such as this?”
“I have seen this excitement before, Dain, and I know exactly what it means. You get this way when you have conquered a quest, when you have talked a maiden into relinquishing herself to your charm. Please tell me that you have done nothing to embarrass me, or make Kevaan mad.”
Dain looked into his friend’s eyes. “You don’t need to worry yourself so, my friend. I have done nothing of the sort. It was completely mutual.”
Alek frowned and put his head in his hands, moaning. “Dain, you promised.” His head snapped up. “You didn’t get her drunk did you?”
He looked at Alek indignantly. “I did not! Alek, give me some credit. I’m not a complete scoundrel.”
Alek sighed. “You swore to me that you would never do anything to upset her. She may have thought it was mutual last night, but she will regret it today, I assure you.”
“Not this time, Alek. This time it’s genuine. I swear to you.”
“It’s never genuine with you, Dain. You’re a cad where women are concerned. You swore to me that it was plutonic, that you wouldn’t go there. Her brother is on his way as we speak. How am I going to explain this? I promised him she would be okay under your roof. I gave my word.”
“On his way here?”
“That’s what I was coming up to rouse you about. The city border patrol has sent word that he passed through yesterday. He will be here in a few hours.”
“After getting my news of Fallon’s movements into the coast and what I suspect his plan is regarding the castle, why would he risk coming here? What’s happened?”
“I don’t know, but I hazard a guess that it’s bad whatever it is, or he would never risk leaving. Perhaps he didn’t get the dispatch.”
“Do you think my man was caught?”
“I would gather so, and probably killed.”
Dain kicked the table leg. “Damn it. I should have sent armed escort with him.”
“That wouldn’t have helped, Dain, and you know it. Going by himself was the safest way for him to travel without being noticed.”
“A lot of good it did him.”
“It’s not your fault. Obviously Fallon’s men knew what to look for and already had reports that she was here. The message only confirmed what they probably already knew.”
“You’re probably right, but I can’t keep making decisions if I don’t have confirmation on his plans and movements. I don’t like making guesses.”
Alek tried to belay Dain’s anger and put focus on his own annoyance regarding Melenthia. “Kevaan will be weary enough. I don’t need him to be angry as well.”
Dain sighed now, getting back to the previous topic. “There will be no cause for it, Alek. I promise you from the depths of my soul that I did nothing that I, or she, will regret. I’m in love with her, and she knows it.” He said it with no hint of sarcasm or jest.
Alekzand’r stared at his friend, seeing him in a completely different way. “You’re in love? With Melenthia?”