Indebted

25

Esti kept her face calm, serene. When inside she felt near ready to burst from joy when Mace took a slice of the same cheesecake that Esti was doing her best to enjoy alone, and joined her at the small high table she was eating from. Mace immediately wove a tight web of her magic around the two of them, secreting their words for only them to hear, like she had done so many times before. Mace had strong magic, she was going to live comfortably for her entire life. Mace would have options.

Things are different now. Esti had to remind herself as she nearly fell into the river of her memories. "You need to find a way to be anywhere but court Esti." Had been Mace's first words to Esti once they were ensconced under Mace's spell. Mace was an expert actress, her face looked happy, unless you were close enough to see the deep anxiety in her eyes. 

Esti was well skilled in keeping her own emotions underwraps, and mimed a face in tune with Mace's. "Tell me what you can, I already have the start of an exit plan arranged, Mace." Esti reassured her friend, smiling, feigning a laugh as she touched Mace's hand to reassure her friend. Esti was acutely aware that she was not safe here. Atticus was not safe here. They needed to run.

Mace told Esti more nuances of the shifting of court politics while Esti had been exiled; What families had the most power and influence now. Those who might be leaning more modern, and those willing to die on the hill of the old ways. It seemed those on the side of staying isolated were louder and more numerous now that Roddington's were leading the military. 

Their cakes were nearly eaten, both slowing. Esti gave her friend the time she needed. Sensing that Mace still had something she wanted to say, "Holly is pregnant, Quwent is the father. They will be announced as betrothed after the weekend, the wedding almost immediately after." The words popped out of Mace's mouth, rushed together. Esti could not stop the look of surprise from showing on her face for a moment. 

That didn't make sense. Esti's eyes flashed towards Zinnia on the dance floor; she was younger than Esti, Holly was the younger sister. She couldn't be more than fifteen, sixteen at absolute most. Esti was just old enough for human or shifter to mate. Zinnia and Holly had both shifted into dragons. "Holly isn't old enough?" Zinnia was the elder sister, and not yet interested in taking a mate or husband. Quwent had not thought once about his pending engagement or child while he had been near enough for Esti to hear his thoughts. A cold shiver ran down Esti's spine. She squashed it down, needing to focus on the short time she had with Mace.

Mace flashed a sharp look at Esti. Quwent had pursued Esti before she was of age too. The man had a type, and ' age appropriate' was not included in the description. Esti wasn't given a chance to say anything more, as a  dragonless brother of Mace came in a rush to collect her, taking Esti's friend away.

Mace was an ally, her family was not. This was a start. Zinnia was avoiding, Esti tonight because of course Zinnia might assume there would be tensions between herself and Esti when Zinnia's younger sister was currently pregnant with Esti's former lover's child.

Esti found she did not feel much at all about this news in her own heart. She was very worried for Holly however. Quwent certainly did not want to be a father. Zinnia and Holly's family had less rank and status than Quwent's own. There was no way he was going into this arrangement. Willingly. 

Zinnia and Holly were nearly at the bottom of the social ladder. Their family, the Locke's were old, but fortunes and lands had long since been squandered. Any allies had abandoned them long generations ago, at least that had been Esti's understanding.

Esti wasn't stupid and she had a lot of time by herself to think while she had been exiled. She knew Quwent had only pursued her because of her family, the connections and elevation she could bring him. Suspicions she had held in the back of her mind all but confirmed now. Quwent wanted to rise and he never would married to Holly. They would likely be sent to one of the outpost villages to hide the scandal of Holly's too quick pregnancy.

Atticus arrived seconds after Mace had left, and delivered a fresh drink to Esti. kissing her cheek as the glass met the table. "A friend?" He asked, voice low, the frequency humming through Esti's chest. Esti nodded. Smelling delicious and actually smiling much to Atticus and his dragon's joy.

"A very true friend. She gave suggestions on new puzzles and games they might be interested in." Atticus smiled back, Esti was thrilled, her mind in overdrive. Whatever the plain little witch had told Esti had his mate running in overdrive, and speaking to him in a code he didn't quite understand, knew through the bond and his dragon that Esti had learned some interesting details this evening.

Atticus touched the back of Esti's hand. Relishing watching the goosebumps pebble her skin under his gentle touch. "I can't wait to get you alone." To be able to talk freely and get her underneath him again. Or maybe him underneath her, as she sat on his face so he could feast on her cunt and have his senses filled with only Esti.

Esti blushed, the sweetest color, the most enticing scent perfuming the air around them. A scent that was only for him and his dragon. A most pleasing bit of knowledge for such a covetous beast and man. "I'm going to take an extended break in the powder rooms, see if there is anyone who would speak to me in private, lady's spaces, you go to the billiards room, or smoking lounge; After a stop at the bar." Esti took command with such grace and softness, that Atticus found himself beset by a chaste little kiss as Esti weaved her way away from. 

Through the crowd, avoiding the serving staff as the milled about, taking empty dishes away or offering small canapes to the guests. Esti did make a pretty little picture walking away, her curves swaying as she glided smoothly across the room. Head held high and confident, without arrogance. Nodding politely at any who met her eyes. Atticus could see it all now, the highborn lady she had once been would have been a near perfect castle princess.

Magnus might have made a grievous error when he tried to break Esti. Everything the world had thrown at her, only made her stronger, harder, and more sharply critical of the world around her. Atticus smiled to himself, downing the last of his current drink. Leaving the empty glass for one of the servants acting as busboy the evening. Slowly prowling to the bar. Patiently waiting his turn to request a drink from the incubus bartender.

No one approached him as he took his time seeking a drink. Though many, if not most of the non dragons in near proximity were certainly thinking about him. And Esti. It was taking most of his self control to not react to what he was able to hear. The psychic gift was growing truly rare in dragons these days. Most assumed he was what he had presented as. A royal bastard, shifting only dragon.

A ruse he was not going break. Not when Esti and Fowl had both firmly pressed on him the need to hold that detail as close as possible. Myrrh knew now as well, which was likely going be the start of the end of his ability to hide his true nature. So as Esti had bid, Atticus bid his time lingering at the bar, catching glimpses into so many minds and plots. Most did not truly include himself or Esti. They were low gossip to the lords and ladies of court. Nothing more.

When it had already been too long lingering near the main bar, Atticus went to the billiards room. Feeling it might be easier to socialize at a game table, than in a room of ensconced groups chattering while they inhaled various combustables.

Making his way to the billiards room, Atticus was immediately certain he had made the correct choice. There was another private bar here for only the men. Girls from the brothel offering drinks and snacks as they walked around the room wearing tight, short, black dresses. Along with other services. This was a casino, and Atticus had finally found an environment he knew how to behave in. Well, outside the brothel that is.