Elven Legacy

Chapter 21

Dharkan

The way they'd split things, Moira and Jaden roomed together, Kitera and Dharkan would share a room, and Tessa was left alone. But tonight, Dharkan and Tessa stuck around downstairs, even after Jaden and the innkeeper had gone to sleep.

After almost everyone had left, and there was only the crackling of the fire in the hearth and the scullery boy gathering up dirty dishes, Tessa still sipped her apple cider and read a book in candlelight.

Dharkan had just finished his third pint of strong brown ale – an Oakley specialty. He kept his hands, covered in fingerless leather gloves, around the mug as if there was some left inside. Glancing out the window, he saw the quarter moon peeking its nose through thick clouds.

Somehow being a little drunk – all right fine, maybe more than a little – did nothing to ease the nervousness at the thought of sharing a room with Kitera.

Relax, you each got your own bed. She's probably asleep already, and nothing's gonna happen. Be a gentleman for once in your shitty life.

His inner voice must've failed to convince him though, because he still didn't move from his chair.

Boredom taking over, he looked at Tessa. "So what're you reading now?"

She returned the look, a flash of blue eyes and black marks on white skin under the hood.

"A Translation of Practical Phrases from Azurian to the Chyulin Language," she answered.

Dharkan blinked. "Were they trying for the longest title award?"

With the hint of a smile, Tessa lifted the book on either side so he could see the cover. Dharkan couldn't read it because it was in Azurian – he assumed – but the title indeed took the whole space on there.

She set down the book.

Dharkan tried something else, "Why do you keep that hood on? It's just me and . . . little Jimmy over there."

He shot a glance to the far side of the common room where the boy picked up empty mugs and cups and lined them on his tray. The big gray-brown tomcat seemed to crave either food or affection, because he kept fussing about the boy's legs.

At Tessa's questioning, raised eyebrow, Dharkan explained, "He looks like a Jimmy."

"Well," Tessa said, joining her gloved hands atop the pages of her book. "Perhaps I don't wish to frighten Jimmy with the dark magic marks on my face."

Dharkan shrugged. "S'not illegal anymore, is it? That was under your father's rule and yours. Ironically."

She gave him a wry smile. "I'm aware of the irony, thank you."

"Anytime," he replied jokingly. He leaned forward across the table, studying her in candlelight. "Seriously, though, you've changed, not just physically. You seem less . . ." He gestured vaguely with a hand. "Less snobbish. But maybe that's the booze." His eyes ventured down to the ceramic mug beside her book.

She sounded slightly defensive when she said, "I can hold my liquor."

"Then it's not that," he said easily.

Tessa gave a humorless chuckle. "Less snobbish? Perhaps losing your life's purpose does that to a person."

"Could be," Dharkan said, his thoughts going to Kitera without his permission.

She closed the Translation of Whatever book and pushed it aside with a soft sigh. For a moment, Dharkan thought she'd get her stuff and go, but she remained seated, looking at him across the table.