The Summer Court

Chapter Nine

The doors to the great hall where dinner was being served opened and Elsine barely heard the satyr at the entrance who announced her arrival. She felt like she couldn't breathe for a moment— almost more nervous to see all four princes now than when she had welcomed them to court. It could have been the fact that she hadn't courted anyone before, let alone four men at once. Taking in a slow, deep breath she trained her face into a gentle smile and put one foot in front of the other down the marble entry. She could do this, if not for herself, then for her mother and kingdom.

The rectangular walls of this particular dining room were one of her favorites in the castle. With great white pillars and murals on the walls, it was breathtaking. The murals depicting fey dancing and reveling had been painted long ago. Elsine had been in awe of their blissful faces as they were frozen in their naked frolic as a child, and even now. Though there was a longing that ached in her heart whenever she looked at them now. The princess wished for such freedom. An abundance of flowers grew down through the ceiling, hanging like chandeliers over a great table set with the finest gold dishes and cutlery.

Since it was just the princess, her suitors, and the King it was set on one end with a place for her at the head. The four were seated two on either of her sides. The King was at the true head of the table where he was already enjoying the roasted venison and lamb and the array of fruits and wine.

The princes stood, their chatter ending abruptly when they saw her, and bowed their heads respectfully. Elsine's heart stuttered in her chest when Kannon peeked up at her from under his unruly curls. Dipping her chin her gaze slid away from his, unable to hold it with the intensity of his jade eyes. When she was close enough to the table, she was pleasantly surprised when he moved to pull her chair out for her. This wasn't customary for the royal house as reverence was sometimes held above respect. Most kings and queens of the fey preferred to be feared and to see their subjects bow their faces to the floor. This small show of respect was a higher marker to Elsine. Sitting as gracefully as she could with him so close, she smiled up at him through her lashes as he moved back to his seat.

Hamish seemed displeased by the behavior and Elsine could only guess it was because it was not courtly etiquette. She chose to ignore the frown he directed at Kannon and waved a hand— motioning for the princes to sit.

"It is good to see you all again." She smiled first at Ander, feeling comfortable in seeing him and knowing she could call him a friend. He smiled back showing his dimples.

"Would you care for some wine, my Lady?" Conor inquired.

Elsine turned to him, "Yes, thank you, Conor." She watched as he poured the bubbling maroon wine into her glass and grinned when he filled it past the halfway mark. He winked.

"I hope to see you more often this next week. We should have much to talk about," Hamish told her, smiling a little too much. She had to give him marks for his audacious nature, always pushing into a conversation and not afraid of rejection it seemed. Elsine smiled, though she took a bite of her food so she would not need to lie about how very much they had to talk about because she was struggling to see how she would ever get a word in edgewise.

Swallowing her food, she asked them all how their stay had been and if they were comfortable— pleasantries at best. Kannon gave short mysterious answers, always catching her eyes when she was trying to listen to another suitor talk. By the end of the dinner, her cheeks were rosy and she wasn't willing to decide if it were from the heated glances or the second glass of sparkling wine she obliged.