Blood of Elven

Chapter Thirty-Six

"That was amazing, Khi! Where did you learn to sing like that?" Ryce's voice broke through the roar of the crowd around her. Khionia found herself enveloped in a hug from Ryce before she could answer, and then was approached by Etheria who had descended from the dais.

"I knew it," Etheria smiled, her eyes dancing with light as she looked at Khi. "I knew you had music in you. I could sense it from the moment I saw you. That was beautiful, Khionia."

Ryce let go of her while Etheria was speaking but kept one arm encircling her waist, even as Bash kept his hold on her hand. Ciaran had stepped away but he looked back at her with a nod before turning his attention to Wryvan who was whispering in his ear. Avalon and Donnegan were watching the interaction with warm smiles.

Khionia was aware of the conversation happening before her, about her, but she wasn't really focusing on the words. She was more focused on the warmth and friendliness that was emanating from the Underlings as they spoke over one another. There was no ounce of discomfort, anger, fear, or distrust among them as they talked to Khionia. She had let her magic flare, and allowed her emotions to flow out of her without worrying about the possible ramifications, and nothing bad had happened. In fact, something amazing had happened. She had found a safety net in her companions, had released all that she had kept hidden within the deepest part of her only to be greeted with welcome, with love, with kindness.

She felt happy.

She began to laugh, a giddy laugh that did not stop after a few seconds but continued to tumble out of her, causing the muscles in her abdomen to contract and ache with the merriment that she couldn't stop from releasing.

Soon, her companions were joining her in the laughter until it had infected the entire cavern and there were calls for more music, more revels.

Lively and upbeat music began, Underlings playing lutes and wind instruments atop the platform, replacing where the singers had previously been standing, while step dancing began all around them.

With a squeeze and a soft tug on her hand, Khionia followed Bash over to take a seat by the bar which was where Cal was waiting. Bash was hailed by a few Underlings standing just before the bar. Khionia left him to mingle with them while she continued on toward Cal.

He stood as she approached and wrapped his thick arms around her in a bear hug that, once again, reminded her of Dax. He murmured against the top of her head, "That was amazing, snowflake. Amazing." He pulled out of the embrace, keeping his hands on her shoulders and asked, "Where did you learn how to do that?"

Khionia took a moment to really look at her brother. There seemed to be a glow about him that had nothing to do with his magic. His hair was tied up so that half was in a messy knot while the rest hung loose down to his shoulders, the silver streak pulled tight and standing out starkly against his brilliant deep red hair. Standing up straight, no longer hunched from pain of his now-healed wound, he towered over most Underlings around him, dwarfing Khionia even as she outstretched the majority of females in the room. He had dressed in a black tunic and matching black trousers, the sleeves of the former rolled up his forearms showing off the corded muscles there. It was with a tinge of sisterly revulsion that Khionia realized there were more than one pair of eyes on her brother, and none were wary or afraid.

She shrugged and turned out of his hold, sitting down on the stool that was awaiting her against the bar. "I don't know. I've just always... been drawn to music. And that song is one I've heard a few times when I'm out on my..." she cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably, "my hunts," she shot Cal a look out of the corner of her eye, "and, anyway, I've always loved that song. And before I knew what I was doing, the words just started coming out of me."