"You look exhausted."
Evree's voice startled him. He pushed himself from the ground so quickly he nearly toppled over. "Evree, I was just…how are you?"
She clasped her hands in front of her. "I'm well. Thank you, Eramus." Her smile made his stomach flutter. Evree stepped towards him and placed her hand on the rough bark of the oak tree. Her fingers dug into the grooves, and her eyes darted over the trunk as if she were studying every crevice. "How are you holding up?" she asked in an almost whisper.
Eramus chuckled and shook his head. "I believe I should ask you that. You went through quite the ordeal yesterday. How are you?"
She twisted her lavender colored skirt between her fingers and looked down at the ground, allowing strands of golden blonde hair to fall around her face. "You did ask me. Twice now." A flood of warmth rushed to his face when she giggled. "But I'm perfectly fine, thanks to you."
He swallowed and rubbed his hands against his trousers. They were sweaty. Why were his hands so sweaty? "I'm just glad you are all right. And your father, how is he?"
"Safe and sound." She took a step towards him and his heart galloped. "Again, I have you to thank for that."
"You don't need to thank me. I want no harm to befall you or anyone in the village."
She lifted lone shoulder. "Well, I suppose you will just have to deal with my gratitude. My father and I both wish to offer it. He's asked me to invite you to dinner."
For a moment, he could only blink at her. Was this conversation truly happening? Minutes ago he was being completely avoided, and now, Evree had invited him to dinner. Perhaps if he pinched himself hard enough, he would wake up.
He winced, but Evree remained in front of him.
"Unless you don't want to come to dinner?"
Heat spread through his face again. Eramus stepped forward, leaving only a few feet between them. "Yes, of course! I'm honored you would ask me to come to dinner. Please, forgive my hesitation. The offer merely took me by surprise."
"And why is that?"
"I…" Eramus kicked at the ground and sighed. "The revelation of my power has incited various reactions. How can I expect anyone to trust something even I don't comprehend?"
Evree placed her hand on his arm, and the sensation sent chills through his body. A set of warm green eyes stared up at him, easing the tightness in his chest. "You saved me, Eramus. How could I have any doubt about your character after that? Your ability doesn't change who you are. No matter what, you are Eramus, a good and honorable man."
He couldn't help but smile. Not all of his people shared Evree's opinion, but it was hers that he valued most. That she thought no less of him because of the magic he possessed was more than he had dared to hope for.
"Thank you. You don't know how much your words mean to me."
Evree bunched her skirts between her fingers, lifting them from the ground just enough to reveal a pair of brown boots. "I will see you soon, then. At sunset?"
Eramus nodded. "Sunset."
His eyes followed her as she flitted away, her lavender gown barely grazing the ground and her gait smooth as though she walked on air.
She'd invited him to dinner.
The excitement made his heart do strange things. Eramus glanced up at the sky. The sun was well on its way to descending behind the mountains in the distance. Sunset couldn't be more than an hour away.
Blast.
He examined the state of his clothes, wincing as he brushed the dirt from his shoulder. He would need a bath before going to dinner. Fine flour had a way of filling into every fold and crack it could find. Even his hair typically had wisps of white after working in the mill all morning. His appearance likely displayed a wretched state.
As he made his way back through the village, he didn't notice the stares and whispers. His heart raced with anticipation and his mind recanted Evree's words. She'd said he was an honorable man. Perhaps Ordin was right to think that the people would eventually see him for the respectable man he strived to be. Kieran and Evree had not lingered on the event other than to offer him gratitude with an invitation to dine with them. Maybe, in time, others would accept his gift as well.
Eramus drew in a deep breath as he entered his cottage. Tonight he would spend time with Evree, but he also hoped to make a good impression on Kieran as well. If he stood any chance of courting the man's daughter, this dinner would have to go well.
"There's nothing to worry about," he mumbled to himself as he pulled his dirty brown tunic over his head. "Kieran and I have always got on well enough."
Worrying would only make him more anxious. Kieran had invitedhim. That must mean something, after all.
