Chapter 19
Ryzen
Ramshore welcomed us with open arms and Lyn was positively overjoyed at the aspect of getting to see a new place, she told me. I found it odd that she had never been to Ramshore, the one place in the South that I was sure she must have seen. They, like Naxena, are big on trading so their financial standing constantly fluctuates, therefore leading more actuaries this way.
But as her eyes perused the many shops and houses of the city, the many water fountains with water that glimmered in the firelights, a childish awe on her face, that seemed impossible.
We arrived at Bastian’s estate quite quickly and as the maids swept away Lyn to get refreshed, I was suddenly left feeling quite alone. Bastian had set up a meeting in the afternoon about the workings of this city and I was left to “get refreshed” as he put it.
Well, I suppose some food sounded good.
~
Lyn and I ate lunch at the large dining hall, illuminated by a huge crystal chandelier and a ridiculously long mahogany table.
It was an effort not to scowl at the distance between the two of us. It was just us, as Bastian had matters to attend to before the meeting started. I thought that meant that this would be more enjoyable but it certainly was not as Lyn was seated maybe a few hundred feet from me.
“Is something wrong?” she asked around a mouthful of food from the other end, her voice carrying across the long table laden with delicious food.
“No, not at all, I…” Words ceased in my mouth.
She raised a questioning brow and chewed slowly.
“It’s just…” I sighed, dropping my fork in a loud clatter against the plate. “You’re just so far away.”
She blinked. And then slowly placed her fork and spoon on the table, followed by her napkin.
“Is that all?”
I nodded, a little unsure of her.
She stood up with her plate and made her way to me, her brown hair tied up, her peach gown trailing behind. A nearby waiter pulled up a chair for her next to me as I blinked at her with slightly widened eyes and she turned to face me with a smile.
“Better?”
It took me a moment to answer. “Much.”
We ate heartily, a smile on both our faces, conversation filling the silence.
~
The meeting went quite well and though the matter of the increased smuggling was a little pressing, I put the thought away as I prepared for dinner. Bastian had invited us to join him as he couldn’t attend for lunch.
I walked the short distance from my room to Lyn’s right around the corner of the hallway, tugging on the sleeves of my sapphire blue overcoat, the gold thread on the hem shimmering faintly.
When Lyn opened her door, the breath was most positively knocked out of me.
Her hair had been styled perfectly, falling in long curls on one side. Her gown, the gold embellishments on the turquoise glittering, the sapphire chain on her pale neck that matched the brilliance of her eyes stunning.
“You look lovely,” I said, my voice unbearably soft.
“You flatter me, Ryzen,” she said and yet, I didn’t tell her how much I meant it. I don’t think I was capable of speaking just then.
And as we walked to the dining hall, her hand in my arm, all I could think was how good my name sounded on her lips.
To be continued…