The Seer of Iros

4.

Finch

Once we are in a cozy but still lavish sitting room. I am able to snag a seat next to Lillian on one of the sofas. We are so close I can feel her body heat. It takes everything in me not to just wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close to me. There is this sense of familiarity that I'm sure she doesn't feel for me. It's not like she has been having the same dreams.

She looks over at me as we were all seated and says quietly only to me. "So you're the strong silent type huh?"

I take a moment to answer, "I suppose. I normally don't feel the need to talk unless I'm asked questions directly."

"Hmm I'm the opposite. If I feel it's too quiet I will pick something random just to speak."

I grin in amusement and think she's so cute in this little moment we were having, "like now? I was being too quiet so you felt the need?"

"Exactly!"

"My mother said I'm always quick to know another person's intentions long before I was a soldier."

"Is that why they say you never lose on the battlefield? Because you can predict people's intentions?"

"I suppose it's partly that." I say looking away from her I see Haley and Talon also sitting next to each other talking. Haley clearly appears to be flirting with her hand resting lightly on Talon's forearm and he doesn't seem to mind in the least.

Lillian then openly laughs and I look back to her, "I like how you didn't deny never losing on the battlefield. You know how talented you are. I like confidence in a man."

I feel myself slightly flush at that. I'm not used to women being so forward and before I can think of a reply my least favorite person at the moment, Peter leaves the liquor cart with two drinks and sits at Lillian's other side holding one of them out to her.

"Your libations my lady." He grins. She grins back and takes the glass and it almost takes everything in me to not take the drink from her and smell it to make sure he didn't put anything suspicious in there.

Then I blurted out, totally out of character for me, "How long have you two known each other?"

"Oh! Pretty much our whole lives," Lillian replies, "our father's are both nobles and merchants they often trade with each other and when we were young father always took me along when he'd go to visit Pat's father. We learned how to ride horses together and would always run around in the fields while our fathers talked shop."

I notice how Patrick smiles warmly at her as she talks but also see a mischievous gleam in his eye that I'm not fond of. "We also drove everyone crazy and the maids hated us." Patrick chuckles, not even looking at me. As if I'm not even a part of the conversation anymore.

I feel like I have to find something to steal her attention again when Talon comes over with Haley at his side. Both are smiling.

Haley then addresses us, "Let's leave these old people." She gestures to Lillian's parents who both shake their heads with knowing grins. My other three men I notice are also standing behind them with smiles. "The night is still young and I for one am ready for a livelier crowd!"

Lillian laughs, "Of course you are! Where did you have in mind?"

"The tavern of course! Charlies' Tavern is always a good time and I'm sure others from the army will be there as well, Finch."

"Charlies'...yes let's!" Lillian then agrees but I don't miss the slight scowl from Patrick which makes me believe it's not his cup of tea and I'm all for things that man doesn't like.