He didn't, and I was a little disappointed, but to add insult to injury, he also let go of my hand far too quickly. "I apologize for my cousin," Alar said. "He seems to have forgotten his manners after one too many tankards of Elucian ale."
"That's okay," I managed. "I've heard much worse sung here by drunken Elucians, and it was also often out of tune. At least your cousin is a good singer."
"Thank you." Codric finally let go of Shovia's hand and turned his attention to me. "I'm glad you find my voice melodious." He took my offered hand and kissed the back of it, but it didn't elicit the same reaction Alar's mere touch had, and it also didn't compensate for his cousin dropping my hand as if it was dirty.
After the barmaid took our order, Shovia turned her charm on Codric. "Where did you learn to sing Elucian ballads? Are they popular in Eluria?"
As Codric launched into an animated story about his and Alar's research of Elucian culture in preparation for the pilgrimage, I took the opportunity to study Alar more closely. My first impression of him hadn't changed despite his attire of a wealthy Elurian merchant class member, which was one level below their nobility. There was a certain watchfulness in his eyes, a subtle tension in his posture that hinted at military training or a position of power or both.
I was willing to bet that he was a minor noble.
Then again, I didn't know much about the Elurian Federation, and perhaps members of the merchant class trained to protect themselves and their families the same way all Elucians did. They might even have a compulsory service similar to ours, and Alar was old enough to be a sergeant or even a captain.
The barmaid returned with our tankards. "Here you go, ladies."
I lifted my purse to pay for our drinks, but Alar put his hand over mine. "Allow me."
I was so stunned by the unexpected touch that I just nodded like an idiot instead of insisting on paying for myself and Shovia.Men covering the bill for their female companion was an Elurian custom, not Elucian, and besides, Shovia and I weren't Codric and Alar's companions.
We were just sharing their table.
After the barmaid left, Alar turned to me and raised an eyebrow. "Did I commit some Elucian faux pas? You seem upset with me."
I struggled for something to say that wouldn't sound offensive and also wouldn't require me to lie. I wasn't as good as Shovia at finding loopholes.
"Elucian and Elurian customs are different." There, that was a true statement that wasn't offensive.
He chuckled. "I'm well aware of that, but if I did something wrong, you should correct me so I won't repeat my mistake. I'm here to learn about Elucia, not just for a chance to become a dragon rider."
I could easily divert the conversation to the pilgrimage and avoid answering his question, but that was close enough to skirting the truth to make me uncomfortable. "You should have let me pay. Elucians who are not related to each other either split the tab or take turns paying."
He dipped his head. "That's good to know, but I'm afraid that's one Elurian custom I will have to insist on. An Elurian gentleman never lets a lady pay for her own drink."
I tilted my head and arched an eyebrow. "This bar is full of ladies. Are you going to pay for all their drinks?"
Alar laughed, and his whole face was transformed. "I see that I will have to be on my toes around you, Kailin. What I meant was a lady companion."
A triumphant smile curled my lips. "But I'm not your companion. I'm just sharing a table with you because there was no other place to sit."
A shadow passed across his face. "That might be true, but since you are sharing my table and we are conversing, I consider you my companion for as long as these conditions last."
I opened my mouth to argue but then decided to let it rest. "You asked, and I answered. If you prefer to have it the Elurian way, I will not argue."
He seemed surprised by my easy acquiescence but recovered quickly and dipped his head again. "Thank you. I appreciate your concession to my customs."
"You are welcome." Mimicking him, I inclined my head. "But don't expect it to be the norm. This was a one-time exception."
12
ALAR
"Even among friends and kin, some truths are best held within."
—An Elurian proverb
Post-Division Era
Iliked Kailin.
