Redoubt (Outsider Book 6) by Aiden Phoenix

Author:Aiden Phoenix [Phoenix, Aiden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Petition

The rest of the night was uneventful.

Dare made a special point to dance with Lily, Leilanna, and Ireni at least a few times each. He would've shown the same attention to Marona, but she spent most of the time seated at the table or on one of the couches in a corner, speaking to friends and allies.

As for dancing with his fiancees, finding opportunities proved to be a challenge since they had no shortage of gentleman asking for a dance. Even Leilanna, once people grew used to her dusk elf heritage and were able to focus on her beauty instead.

All of them had fun, with Leilanna wanting to show off and pushing him to more complicated steps. Ireni, on the other hand, just wanted to hold him close with her head against his shoulder while they spun lazily at the periphery of the dance floor.

But of them all, Lily had the most fun by far.

For the entire evening she wore an expression of delighted wonder as she fully enjoyed the ball, as if she was in a dream or transported to one of her beloved stories. And her starry eyed eagerness and clear enjoyment of the event drew dance partners to her every bit as much as her otherworldly beauty or the novelty of a cunid.

On the few occasions she was available for a dance she floated in Dare's arms with a dreamy expression, filling his mind with a love scent of such deep fondness and contentment that he just wanted to find a couch and cuddle with her all night. And damn what anyone had to say about it.

It was always with great regret that he let her go at the end of a dance, both of them returning to dancing with new partners so they could get a foothold among Bastion's elite.

When he wasn't dancing with his fiancees he schmoozed with the wealthy and powerful of the region, told stories of his adventures to politely interested listeners, and tried to figure out whether the people around him were simply curious or had ulterior motives. Because the entire vibe of the nobility in the great hall screamed ulterior motives.

Marona, bless her heart, fought off weariness to help him as much as she could. She seemed well liked in the capitol, in spite of her rather humble station. Dare got the sense people had greatly respected her husband, Orin, and in her younger years she'd been the darling of Bastion.

Age had only lent dignity to her great beauty, and she was still held in high regard.

But finally he saw her visibly wilting in spite of her best efforts, and firmly insisted it was time to retire. The party was winding down anyway; it had mostly settled into men playing cards around a few of the larger tables, and women gathered on couches exchanging gossip. A few who'd overindulged dozed in chairs or sprawled over tables, drawing the derision of all.

On the carriage ride home Marona slept with her head

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