Until Darkness Ascends

CHAPTER TWELVE

She hadn't realized it before, but if Altair wanted to stay away from her, he absolutely could. He could switch his emotions and was ready to do so at any moment. Maybe it was because on the inside he was a soldier, always fighting, always marching, always changing.

He was ignoring her. She could tell. And he made it look so easy. He wasn't excited to speak with her the way she was excited to speak with him. He didn't miss her. So, fine. If this is what he wanted, then she wouldn't be the pathetic woman desperate for his love.

Well, she wouldn't show that she was.

At breakfast, he wasn't sitting next to her like he always had before. He was always close to her, still following her in the brigade of archangels, but he distanced himself. Now he sat within the furthest chair as she sat next to King Bradshaw.

Cordelia looked at Altair. He didn't meet her gaze. She sighed, annoyed. Fine.

"Maiden? Are you alright?"

King Bradshaw turned to her, ending his conversation with Crixus and Aharon. Suddenly all eyes were on her. She nodded. She could hide too, she reminded herself.

"Are you sure? You seem frustrated."

"I am sorry for being so rude. I was just wondering when I would be meeting my suitors? I'd hate to take any more of your time. I know you are very busy."

"The presence of you and the archangels is very important, Maiden," King Erton spoke. "Please do not worry about our schedules. But you are right. Let us speak about the reason for your arrival."

"I am grateful." She ignored how Altair finally looked at her.

"It is your choice, Maiden Cordelia. You have...many suitors to choose from. How would you like to meet them? A ball? A tournament? A duel?"

Looking at King Erton, she cocked her head to the side. "Many?"

"Yes. Many males have come from the surrounding villages to meet you."

"How," her throat dried, "how many?"

"What was it, Bradshaw? Two thousand?"

"Somewhere along those lines," the other King agreed.

Two thousand. She would have to meet two thousand males. That was far more people than she had ever met at one time. And to make it worse, these males wanted her hand in marriage. It might have finally set in how big this ordeal was.

"-Cordelia?"

She looked at Malachi who was in front of her. "Yes?"

"Did you hear what King Bradshaw asked?"

"Oh," she turned toward the King in question. "I'm sorry. Could you ask again?"

He smiled. "I asked you how you would prefer to meet them, Maiden."

She didn't know. She wasn't sure what would be the best option. There were so many males, and she wanted to speak with them sincerely. She wanted to have deep conversations because how could she fall in love without them? She wanted someone else to choose. She didn't know what the best option would be. "I want to speak with them, but there are so many."

"If I may suggest?"

"Please, King Erton."

"A jousting tournament would be excellent. It would entertain your suitors while you speak to each individually. You are staying for four more days, so I suggest three days for the tournament with several hours a day scheduled for you to meet as you so wish. And on the third day, you can choose the suitors you wish to meet again."