Feeling the weight of so many eyes on her, Elowen interlinked her arm with Theo’s, taking care not to lose her grip on the goblet. Her eyes snuck to his, to find them steadily fixedon her face. For a heartbeat that seemed to last forever, she couldn’t pull her gaze away. Then her father gave them the cue, and both tilted their cups to their lips and drank deeply of the wine.
Her father made another short speech, but Elowen scarcely heard it. She drained the goblet as she’d been instructed to do, grateful that it was less than half full. Whoever was in charge of organizing the goblets likely knew that she wasn’t used to large quantities of wine. The two servants reappeared, and Elowen was surprised to see Theo’s goblet still half full as he placed it back on the tray. He must have caught her expression, because as soon as they were released to return to their seats, he leaned toward her.
“Is something amiss?”
She shook her head. “I was surprised you didn’t finish the wine, that’s all. It’s no matter.”
“It was a large goblet,” he commented. “And very full. If you finished yours, I’m amazed you were able to drink it all so swiftly.”
“They were kinder to me and mine didn’t have much in it,” she laughed. “I only mention it because it’s part of the ceremony, we’re supposed to drain the cups to show our full commitment, but it doesn’t matter.”
“I missed that aspect of the instructions,” said Theo, his consternation clear. “My apologies. I hope I haven’t offended.’
“Not me, certainly,” Elowen said quickly. “And I doubt anyone else was close enough to notice. Truly, it doesn’t matter.”
He took a moment to answer, something in his face that made her breath feel thicker than usual.
“I assure you that while my etiquette may have failed, my commitment is absolute. Our betrothal is now sealed.”
“Yes.” Elowen lowered her eyes, wondering why she could hear her pulse thrumming in her ears. Surely that wasn’t normal. “We are sealed.”
She felt Theo’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t meet them, instead starting on her food. Theo copied her, and there was silence between them for several minutes.
Someone poured wine into their goblets—normal ones absent any fabulous jewels—but Elowen left hers untouched. Her nerves were wreaking enough havoc with her mind, she didn’t want to addle it further. Theo, she noticed, barely touched his as well. He took a sip when the servants carried out the soup course, but he didn’t seem to enjoy it. Blinking rapidly, he put the goblet down, and she didn’t see him touch it again.
The previous night, he’d been relaxed and cheerful while chatting with the Carrackian royals. Tonight, they sat apart from their nearest neighbors, in the places of honor as the subjects of the betrothal feast, and Elowen had hoped for more personal conversation. But Theo didn’t seem inclined to talk. She watched as he picked at his food, eating very little. About ten minutes into the meal, she saw him put a hand to his head, his gaze a little fuzzy.
“Are you all right?” she asked quietly.
He looked at her, seeming surprised by the question. “Of course,” he said, his voice gruff. But he seemed confused in spite of his words.
Elowen wondered if he might be affected by the wine. She suddenly realized that there might be another reason he didn’t finish the goblet, and barely touched the wine set in front of him. Perhaps they drank stronger wine in Torrens than in Siqual. Perhaps Theo found himself more affected by the small quantity than he expected, and was embarrassed to let it show.
But he only had half a goblet. How strong could it be? Elowen frowned to herself over little details as she watched him. Wasit her imagination that his movements were less precise than usual? His conversation was certainly lacking.
She was being absurd, reaching foolishly for an explanation other than the obvious one that he had nothing much to say to her. If he had felt constrained by their betrothal, as she had herself, he would be wrestling with the implications of that now more than ever. He was allowed to prefer reflective silence over chatter.
After all, he hadn’t claimed the kiss he’d been offered. He’d been her champion that day, in more ways than one. But hadn’t she already realized that it wasn’t out of an overflow of romance but was simply Theo acting consistent with the honor that characterized him? It was a good testament regarding the man she was to marry, but it didn’t necessarily mean he was enthusiastic about the union.
Elowen felt deflated, but she tried not to dwell on it. She wasn’t sure her emotions could sustain another round of chaos that day. She would be wisest to let Theo be, and speak of these matters later.
But when Theo excused himself early, rising as soon as the meal was complete, her resolution failed her. He’d barely left the room when Elowen announced her own intention to retire. Her mother looked surprised, but she didn’t try to prevent her. Given the previous night’s gala, the victory feast wasn’t to be accompanied by a ball anymore, and if the victor had left, there wasn’t any reason Elowen had to linger.
“Of course you must be tired, my dear,” Elowen’s mother said. “A solid sleep will do you good.”
She nodded to the lady’s maid waiting at the edge of the room. The woman stepped forward to accompany Elowen to her room and help her prepare for bed. Elowen walked out meekly beside the maid, but waited only until they’d left the noise and light of the banquet hall behind to stop.
“Foolish of me, but I need to return for something,” she said lightly. “You go ahead without me, I’ll meet you at my rooms.”
“Are you sure, Your Highness?” the maid asked, uncertain.
“Of course,” Elowen said, trying to mimic the authority her father always spoke with.
The maid nodded and carried on, and as soon as she was out of sight, Elowen ducked down a different corridor, one she knew led to the guest wing. Relieved to see no sign of servants, she disregarded dignity and ran, hoping she wasn’t too late to catch him.
Fortunately, her quarry was moving slowly. After rounding two more corners, Elowen caught sight of Theo’s tall figure and broad shoulders.
“Theo,” she called softly, a little breathless from the run.
