Daughter of Winter

Chapter 15

I met Hadrian at the regular place. This time he was standing, waiting for me.

"Good morning Allyn," he said, more formally than before. I raised my guards.

"Good morning, Hadrian," I replied warily.

"I want to clarify something," he started. "It may seem like I hate you. That's because I do." That was not a surprise. "But I do not hate you because you are Allyn. I hate you because you have done almost nothing to reach your current position. You strolled into the court one day, slept with Kendryek, and then were added to the table with the others."

I looked down, embarrassed. I knew I had done essentially nothing to earn the position that I now held except pique Kendryek's interest.

"So do not take any of this-" He gestured towards the route I had been running. "-personally. I do it not because I hate you, but because I am trying to force you to become a fae worth having at the table." He sat down in the grass. "You know what to do."

Training was no easier that day. I was still exhausted and bruised and I still wished I could beat Hadrian into a pulp, but at least I understood.

When I was done, had rested a bit, and retreated into the reading room to spend another few lonely hours trying to keep myself entertained, Kendryek found me.

He apologized in advance for leaving me alone on the upcoming holiday. I told him I understood, but he insisted on doing something to make up for his planned absence. I did not object.

The "something" was having our own private date night together in Kirkwall. He glamoured both of our faces such that we looked different enough that no one would know who we were and took me to the fanciest diner in all of Kirkwall.

Everyone there was dressed expensively. Kendryek, planning ahead, made sure we were somewhere between over and underdressed for the occasion. Tonilia picked out a stunning dress for me ot wear - a crimson maxi that sparkled with tiny rubies.

It was part diner, part ballroom, and part hotel. The building was far larger than it was on the outside, some kind of magic ensured there was always plenty of room for more guests. At the time we arrived there was little need for extra space, but as the night went on more and more fae entered in.

The more fae that arrived, the more the party grew in size and intensity. After a tasty dinner and some small talk - most of which I endured only to keep things from being awkward - he asked me if I wanted to join the festivities.

After spending the night seated at a table, watching other couples dance, sing, and kiss, I was quite ready to join the fun. I agreed in an instant and took to his side as we approached the dancing circle of fae.

Only when I got closer did I realize how quickly they were moving and got a tad apprehensive. I looked at Kendryek for assistance.

He smiled reassuringly at me and I saw in him what I saw the first time we met. I felt again that connection between us, that something that seemed to make us understand one another. I thought about all he had done for me so far. He had accepted me with open arms and allowed me safety in his home. He would risk it all for me. He was not perfect, but no one was.

I smiled back and took his hand, pulling him into the whirling circle of fae.

It was refreshing to be a part of something just like everyone else was. When I made eye contact with a fae, they looked at me the same way they would look at anyone else in the crowd. There was no suppressed disgust at the shape of my ears and no look of recognition that said "oh, you're Kendryek's woman." Knowing that I could act however I wanted, be whoever I wanted, opened up the world to me.