Page 25 of The Gathering

“That she is,” Draven agreed in a mumble.

Aydra’s protective face was on, and she looked between the two. “What does that mean?”

“Fiery. Petite. Beautiful. Determined… Nadir is a great man. What is your concern?” Bala asked Aydra.

“I think that is her concern,” Draven said.

“I am nineteen,” Nyssa chimed in.

Dorian almost choked on his drink.

“—I think I can choose the right sort of man for myself, thank you all,” she continued.

His eyes teared up at his trying to stifle his own laughter.

It was another hour before the food was finally gone. Dorian had stuffed himself to the brink, nearly ready to puke. But he’d been so consumed and happy about the conversations and the surrounding laughter that he’d just continued eating out of habit. It had been too long since his face hurt like it did from laughing then. His heart swelled at the sight of Aydra and how happy she was with Draven, finally seeing Nyssa open up to someone besides himself.

It was perfect, and he didn’t want it to end.

“Do you think you two could not fuck at the table while we’re present?” he teased Aydra and Draven after a bit upon seeing Draven whispering things in her ear.

Aydra chuckled as she sat up. “What are your plans for today?” she asked them.

“Choosing foods for banquet tomorrow,” Dorian answered. “I should have probably stopped eating earlier.”

“That would have been the smart thing,” Nyssa mocked.

“We need to go find you a dress for banquet tomorrow,” Draven said to Bala.

“You’re not putting Balandria in a dress,” Aydra said. “She’ll cut your throat.”

Bala raised her glass. “I knew I liked her.”

“What do you suggest instead?” Draven asked.

“I have something that would suit her better,” Aydra replied. “You’ll just need to take it to my seamstress, Maye, to have it taken in and make it her own.” Aydra turned to Nyssa. “Can you take them? Make sure Maye doesn’t have any attitude for helping Venari?”

Nyssa sat down her cup and nodded. “I can do that.”

Dorian pushed to his feet and looked to his older. “What will you do today?” he asked her.

The way Aydra stared at the table made him shift. He knew that look, and it made his stomach knot.

“Ah… I have been summoned to help Rhaif choose decorations for the celebration,” she answered.

Dorian’s fist tightened despite himself, noticing that Aydra avoided his eyes as she, too, stood.

“Is Lex going with you?” he asked.

“She is,” Aydra affirmed, finally looking at him. “Speaking of which, I should really find her.”

“I’ll go with you,” he said forcefully.

Aydra held his gaze a long moment as the rest of them stood, and then she gave him a nod. “Wait here while I grab that suit for Bala from my room.”

Her hand brushed against Draven’s arm as she turned and gave him a small smile, disappearing into the hall after. Dorian thought about following, but as Draven crossed his arms over his chest and started talking with Bala, he reconsidered.

“What was that about?” Nyssa asked, out of earshot of the Venari.