Page 28 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

A va sat alone in her living room, reading next to the fireplace as Casimir finished yet another meeting.

Turning the page, she pulled the throw blanket higher, when Raine barged in.

He was wearing a velvet brown tunic with emerald green embroidery, thick pants, shiny new boots and his hair was even more impeccable than usual.

“Get up and get ready,” he said, a mischievous look in his eye.

“Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“You’re never too busy to go dancing.”

She set down her book. “Dancing? Nope. I don’t dance. I’m a terrible dancer.”

“That will make it easier to tease you.” He brightened. “Therefore, making it more fun for me.” He grabbed her hand and yanked her off the couch, pushing her toward her room, and followed her inside. “Let’s go, dainty human. Get changed.”

She stood in the middle of her room, staring at him. “I don’t know what to wear. What kind of dancing is this?”

“The fun kind.” He turned to her wardrobe and shuffled through her clothing, pulling out an outfit .

“There is no fun kind of dancing.”

“Here,” he said, handing her the clothes. “Hurry. Everyone else is already headed that way.”

She took the clothes and walked to the bathroom. Raine had chosen a forest green velvet top with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. She pulled on the taupe skirt with vines embroidered along the hem. A pair of green boots completed the ensemble along with a green jade teardrop necklace.

As she finished getting dressed, she called out to him, “Who is going?”

“Everyone,” he called back. “Yes, even Cas. Since I know you were going to ask.”

“I was not,” she said as she walked into the bedroom, finger combing her long hair.

“By the way,” he asked. “Have you two fucked yet?”

She coughed, looking at him. “What? Of course not. We aren’t—I don’t—he doesn’t want that.”

He raised his eyebrows at her. “He most definitely wants that.”

“I—it’s…complicated.”

He laughed as he grabbed two combs from her wardrobe and went around behind her, pinning her hair back on the sides.

“Complicated? The only thing that’s complicated is you two are still holding back.

You both want to. You should get it over with to spare us all from the sexual tension.

I don’t think I can stomach another dinner with the two of you catching stolen glances from across the table. ”

She scoffed, putting her hands on her hips and turning around to face him. “There are no stolen glances,” she said, emphasizing the last two words.

“You keep telling yourself that.” He looked her up and down and beamed. “Perfect. Let’s go.”

Wooden tables lined the open room in the tavern, leaving space for a dance floor where citizens were twirling cheerily as a small ensemble played upbeat music with fiddles, flutes and mandolins.

Lanterns hung from the rafters, illuminating the space, and the smell of ale and roasted meats hung in the air.

The joy was palpable, the sounds of boisterous voices blending as groups of friends sat together, drinking and gossiping as their worries faded away.

This was one of Ava’s favorite things about Mosshaven.

The camaraderie among the residents in town.

Never did there seem to be unhappiness or strife, even in the midst of a brewing war.

She looked around, hands fingering the sides of her skirt as she took in the sights and sounds of the tavern. Raine grabbed her hand and tugged, leading her to a large table in the back where everyone was already seated.

“Sit,” he said. “I’m going to grab us drinks.”

She took the closest open seat which happened to be in between Quinn and Kai.

“Ava!” drawled Thorne.

“Already drunk, big brother?”

“Perhaps.” He chuckled, taking a sip of ale.

It was refreshing to see Thorne outside his role as king. And she hadn’t seen him much in the past weeks, he’d been so busy.

Casimir sat across from her, nodding hello as he took in her dress. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks,” she replied as warmth crept up her neck.

He was dressed in an olive-green tunic and his hair had several braids along the sides, flowing over his shoulders. Raine took his seat next to Casimir and passed her a mug.

“Mead for the dainty human since you didn’t like the ale the first time. ”

“And we all know what happens if Ava gets a hold of whiskey,” Quinn said.

Ava grimaced as she sipped her drink, meeting eyes with Casimir. The corner of his mouth lifted and she looked away.

“I heard about that,” said Thorne. “You kissed Quinn and called her ‘lady warrior.’”

Ava winced. “I didn’t realize how strong your alcohol here was.”

Quinn glared at each member of the table. “If any of you brutes call me that, I will punch you in the throat so hard, you won’t be able to speak for a week.” She glanced at Ava and winked.

“That’s not all she did,” said Raine. “I’m too far away for you to kick this time.” He gave her a naughty grin. “Ouch!” he exclaimed as Casimir kicked him instead.

The others got the hint not to pry and visited among themselves, but Quinn leaned in and asked, “What else did you do?”

“Apparently, I propositioned Cas,” she whispered as quietly as she could.

“And?”

“Nothing happened. He was the perfect gentleman.”

“Not surprising,” Quinn said as her head snapped up, her attention landing on Casimir and Raine. “Stop eavesdropping, you oafs.”

Raine laughed and Casimir continued to look at Ava, sipping his ale.

Quinn whispered, “Cas keeps staring like he wants to rip those clothes right off you.”

Ava choked on her drink, spilling it on her chest.

She grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the mead, glancing across the table. Casimir’s eyes flared as they briefly dipped to her low-cut neckline before he blushed and turned away.

“He is not,” she whispered back to Quinn.

“Whatever. ”

Raine rose and held his hand out. “Ava, dance with me.”

She hesitated, looking around. “I don’t know how.”

“Who cares? I’ll show you.”

She chugged her mead and stood, taking his hand. “Alright.”

They left the group along with Jorrar and Kai, taking off across the dance floor together.

“Follow my lead,” Raine said as he placed one hand on her hip and gripped her other.

“You just have to follow the rhythm of the music and move across the floor.” She tripped over his feet as she tried.

“You’re over complicating it. Just go with the flow.

I’ll lead and you do what I do,” he said as they took off in a trot.

They spun through the patrons as the music played on. “So, who are you taking home with you tonight?” she asked, scanning the room.

Jerking his head to his left he replied, “See her over there? With the long black hair and exquisite breasts?”

She followed his gaze. “It looks like she’s with that man next to her.”

“So, both of them will join.”

She laughed as he continued to lead her down the dance floor. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Do you ever want to…you know…settle down?” Maybe the alcohol made her bold, but she added, “This whole, ‘I sleep with everyone’ thing. Is it an act?”

His swagger faltered before he regained his composure, though something still lingered in his gray-blue eyes. “I once believed that was possible. It’s too late now,” he answered softly.

“Raine, I—” she began, about to apologize for bringing up a sore subject, when he interrupted.

“This isn’t a topic for a night such as tonight.” He smiled, sadness in his eyes gone again as he twirled her .

Quinn and Thorne were on the floor together enjoying each other as they spun by. Thorne released Quinn and approached Ava and Raine.

“May I cut in?”

“She’s all yours,” Raine replied as he let go and sauntered toward the couple he’d pointed out moments ago.

Thorne took Ava’s hand, leading her to dance once more. Quinn had pulled Casimir out of his seat, and they were now trotting across the floor.

“You’re doing a great job,” Thorne said as he spun her.

“It’s not as hard as I thought.”

“How are you?” he asked.

“Better. But I’m still terrified of the Elderoak journey. And the rest of this war.”

His expression hardened. “You are an Everwood, Ava,” he said, ever the king.

“You remember how tenacious our mother was.” She nodded.

“I’ve seen that in you as well. At times, you’re unsure.

But when you allow yourself to let go of your fears, determination comes out and you become unyielding.

Unwilling to give up.” They spun across the floor, and she looked at him, his eyes fierce. “I saw it the first time we met.”

Her lips curved into a small smile. “When you thought I was threatening you?”

He laughed quietly. “Yes. When you stood up to a king even though you were lost in an unknown world. And I’ve seen it every time you stand up for yourself. I know that strength came out in Saxumdale. You can do this.”

Her eyes glistened as her brother spoke. He believed in her. Truly believed in her and she hadn’t realized she needed his reassurance until now.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” she admitted. “That I’m the only one who can banish Deidamia.”

“It is,” he acknowledged. “But the thing about Monterre is, we don’t do anything alone. Other kingdoms are not quite like ours.”

“What do you mean?” she asked as he spun her and brought her back, leading them in between pairs of dancing revelers.

“We listen to each other’s opinions. I have the final say but I always consult Jorrar, the advisors, and often the others,” he explained.

“Most of the other kings or queens demand blind devotion. They don’t allow their decisions to be questioned.

Some have even been known to punish those who do.

” He paused. “Our father was that way. A tyrant. I want to be questioned. I may not like it, but I respect it. I want all of you to call me out if you feel I’m being rash.

It may not change my decision, but it makes me think about what’s best for everyone. ”

Ava beamed at her brother. He was a leader who cared. “Why are you different from the others?”