Page 7 of Noble Charms

Aria opened and closed his mouth a few times, like a gold-robed fish, and said, “Well, I’ve been focused on my studies for a long while. I’ve not got much else I do.”

“You have a boyfriend, right?”

“No.”

Now Noble was the one thrown. He’d framed all he knew about Aria on that detail alone. He blinked. “Sylvia said you did. Was she teasing me? Do you not prefer the company of men?” Elvish culture called them kinsme—men who loved men and women who loved women. They were accepted, even expected, by other elves. Must be nice. Noble’s aunt, Princess Prittey Agolde, lived for a decade in near-exile, her princess title stripped, for her insistence on marrying another woman—before Noble’s uncle became king and welcomed her back to his home. Noble thought himself fortunate he was attracted to women exclusively, given his family’s history.

“No, she spoke true. I’m kinsme.”

How simple it must be to say such a thing and harbor no fear. Noble’s uncle’s decision to accept his sister had been celebrated by most regular folk, but his family? His mom spoke of it in whispers to him as a child. “Descendants of the Sun God have one goal: make more descendants. Commonfolk may do as they please, but we’ve a greater calling, and your aunt’s lifestyle is a selfish one.”

Noble realized he was frowning and shook himself out of it. Aria likely didn’t know the details of his family’s breeding habits, and he didn’t need to. Aria misunderstood Noble’s silence for skepticism and said, cheeks gone pink, “But I don’t have a boyfriend. I was with someone for a long time. Eight seasons before he…decided to move on.”

“He left you? Why?” Personality, perhaps?

“I do not think that is your business.” Back to that stiff upper lip—the personality in question. Noble didn’t bother to hide the rolling of his eyes. Aria huffed, sitting up straight. “I cannot speak for him. Especially to a stranger.”

“Alright, then. What about your feelings? Did you love him?” Noble knew he was prying, but he’d never had such a hard time getting someone to give, and he wasn’t going to stop until Aria smiled at least once before dinner.

“I think so.”

Noble said, eyes narrowing, “You don’t know?”

Aria’s face grew pink again. “I don’t know.”

“Then why were you with him for as long as you say? Years, was it?” Aria gazed at his hands in his lap, his fingers bound together, and he didn’t reply. “You must have been compatible in some way. Good sex?” He meant to make it a light question, asked as simple scholarly interest.

Aria mumbled, focused on the village street outside, “Perhaps.”

Noble laughed, and Aria gasped in offense. “No, I laugh not at you. It’s just—funny. The answer you gave means the sex was bad.” Noble basked in the satisfaction of being right. Aria’s boyfriend underperformed.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t need to. You’ve done a good job with this—” unnecessary pomp, Noble didn’t say, “Propriety. But we’re meant to be fast friends, you and I. Tell me truly how you feel. And I’ll do the same.”

“Well, clearly,” said Aria.

Noble grinned. “Why wouldn’t I? I’ve nothing to hide.”

Aria sighed, “And neither do I.”

“See? Tell me your feelings honestly.”

Aria looked at his hands and his long hair fell in front of his eyes, hiding him from view. Even when speaking his truth, he had to hide somehow. It would have been cute if it wasn’t also infuriating. Aria said, “I hoped he would be the love of my life. That’s why I stayed.”

“Was he your first?”

Aria nodded. “When I was younger, my mother would read to me some elven tales. Mostly fantasy. Mostly fun stories for children. Many of them included true love—obviously. Elys was a god of love.”

“Was,” Noble noted, raising an eyebrow. That was probably more honest than Aria meant to be. “You’re an agnostic.”

Aria said, “I’ve not seen Elys in all my years of practicing magic. I think it’s reasonable to believe he’s dead, like the other gods. I know that’s an unpopular opinion.”

Noble grinned. “I’ve been a blasphemer my whole life. The Sun God’s probably long dead. Or else he’s retired from ruling us mortal folk.” Aria’s mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile, but refused. Noble was terribly close. “Elys could still be around, if he invented love. Love’s everywhere. I feel it all the time. Every day.”

“You love Sylvia.”

“Yes,” Noble said without hesitation.