24 A Hand (1/2)
A strange experience to lose out to his own food. The eggs had been devoured by Elya and Nikolai had received a paltry two out of ten for his efforts. Humming a song that Nikolai struggled to recognise, she wiped her hands with a floral handkerchief and undid her hair. Shaking it out, Elya placed the clip that held it into her mouth as she arranged it into a new style, slightly lopsided and falling over a shoulder. With a quick twist the clip was back on and Nikolai marvelled at how quickly she could change the impression she gave. Before she appeared stern and commanding, everything tight and to order, but now cracks appeared in the perfection.
In one word, she was adorable.
”Now that is satisfying Nikolai.” She smiled widely and her scar turned it into a great big smirk.
”That's good. It's a great place to come away for a break.”
”Yeah.” She picked up the cushion and came to his side, settling down to stare at the town. ”I still feel odd here if I'm honest. It's not like the army. Too civilised. But unlike the Suzdal manor, it's very relaxed.”
”It's an odd place after all.” Nikolai grinned and pointed towards the town. ”It's a mix of all sorts of cultures. Fleeing Dragon Lords, stubborn farmers, hunters, dispossessed nobles even a few of the Illyri can be found skulking around. Yet somehow there's very little conflict, and that has very little to do with Imperial presence. It was like that long before I took over. It's like the people just cooperate, as if they don't know how to behave in any other way.”
”That sounds nice. Better than anywhere I've ever been.”
”Well it's not perfect.” He clarified.
”People never are.”
”True.”
The wind swirled around them and they shivered a little. Elya glanced up at him, considering something. She took a deep breath like she'd come to a decision and in a quick motion scooted over until their shoulders touched. Nikolai felt a jolt pass through his arm at the contact and he shivered a little. Not because of the cold this time. Odd that her arm could be so slender, yet possess such overwhelming might.
”It's chilly.” She said, blushing a little.
”Yeah.”
”We used to sit next to each other like this for warmth in the army.”
”Yeah.”
”It's cold.” She looked up at him, eyes flashing with a strange light.
”I could create a fire with magic.” He offered, but winced when she scowled. She rolled her eyes and shivered exaggeratedly.
”Oh.” He may not have much experience with women but he wasn't dumb enough to miss her point. Tentatively he put his arm around her and she huddled closer reaching out to grab his free hand. He silently praised the Fates for the gust of wind they had sent and rested his head on hers. His nose twitched as loose strands of hair tickled it, but for the first time in a long while he experienced complete relaxation.
At this moment nothing else mattered.
”Nikolai, thank you.”
”For?”
”The meal. The companionship.” She hesitated. ”The engagement.”
”I think most people would think I was getting the better part of this deal.”Elya pinched his hand lightly in admonishment, but he ignored it. A rare playful gesture. Nikolai was finding the whole experience delightful. ”I like cooking and sharing meals with people I care about. You'll be my wife soon and we should always get along.”
He felt heat pass through him at calling Elya his wife and he glimpsed her cheeks flush a deeper crimson as well.
She cleared her throat and squeezed his hand. ”Well. Yes. Still. Thank you Nikolai.”