Only You

Chances

Aelin had sat on her bed thinking of only Rowan. She had tried and failed to read a book, as well as braid her hair and even as far as trying to brush Fleetfoot's coat. But no matter what she did, her mind wandered back to the Fae prince who was her soul-bonded.

Her maids had knocked on the door an hour ago to dress her for dinner. She had wanted to form an excuse as to why she could not go, but nothing came to mind. And she was sure Aedion or Orlon, or both would come up here and drag her down either way. So she put on her finest gown and let the maids put her hair into a pretty updo and place the tiara on her head. And when she looked in the mirror she balked. Aelin knew she was pretty, as she'd been told by many suitors. But when she gazed at her reflection she really felt pretty. Her cheeks had a rosy glow to them and her eyes were bright. She felt good.

The maids had let her stare in the mirror a few seconds longer before they ushered her away and down to the dining hall. Elspeth giving her a wink as she departed.

Aedion was at the door when she arrived, looking handsome in all his finery. He seemed to think the same as he grabbed her hand and spun her around before grinning. "You look... you look like a princess."

"Don't you start." She rolled her eyes.

"I look forward to hearing all about it later. The maids in the kitchen wouldn't shut up about it."

"What were you doing in the kitchen? Terrorising the cooks again?" She elbowed his side.

"I haven't done that since I was ten." He elbowed her right back. "I was doing a favour for a friend."

"Oh, you mean you were doing whatever you could to get into Lysandra's good graces? Honestly Aedion, you'd have an easier time winning Ren over than you do Lys."

"Very funny Aelin. Should I bring up all your successful relationships? Shall we talk about the mating bond now or later?" That lions grin crept up his face and Aelin didn't know whether to start a brawl or to laugh along with him.

"Careful Aedion, she could easily take you in a fight." Her father stopped behind her, laughing quietly at their bickering.

"Not without her flame she couldn't." Another grin.

"Settle down you two. We do have company. I don't think they want to see the two of you bickering all night." Her mothers words silenced them. Aelin poked her tongue out at Aedion as he poked her side, both of them earning stern looks from her parents.

When they entered the hall Orlon had already been seated at the head of the table, Sellene at the other end. Dispersed along the table were a mixture of Whitethorn family members and spouses, along with members of the Terrasen royal family. Servers were showing everyone to their seats, but even so, Aelin made her way to the usual spot she took at functions such as these, when the server intercepted her before she could sit.

"Your Highness, you will be seated here tonight." She looked to the chair that had been pulled out for her and cringed. Sat in the chair to the left was Rowan. She glanced to Orlon who was actively avoiding eye contact, but she knew that he had been the one behind this little rearrangement.

Despite her disapproval, Aelin sat and smoothed her dress as she did. Moments went by with silence, people around her chattering away. She tried and failed to meet the eyes or Orlon, instead she had the pleasure of Aedion laughing at her expense. She wasn't going to give Aedion the upper hand tonight, so she decided to suck it up and turn to Rowan.

"You clean up nicely." As if he had not been dressed to the nines the first time she met him.

"As do you, princess."