Days of Wind and Snow: The Hyllethan Gifts series, book #2 (The Hyllethan Series: an Epic Fantasy Adventure) by Caroline Sciriha

Author:Caroline Sciriha [Sciriha, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Caroline Sciriha
Published: 2022-11-20T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

Shael treaded down the wide staircase, careful not to step on the hem of one of the new dresses Sander had had made for her in Dragonia City. With Max clinging to her and constantly keening for food, she’d barely been able to freshen up and change in time for dinner. Maurice and the kitchen staff had been a great help sending up scraps and greens to feed Max, but it seemed the lizard’s appetite had no bounds. Max had finally dozed off, curled in front of the fire in her room, allowing her to escape her bedroom.

The deep voices of her father and Xavier led her to the library. Shael paused in the entranceway. Xavier was dressed to perfection, as he always was each time they’d met. His short maroon jacket hugged his shoulders and narrow waist, accentuating his trim figure. He looked undeniably attractive, yet his choice of clothing always seemed too much, as if he’d dressed to impress. Her father, in contrast, wore the same open-necked shirt and trousers he’d worn in the laboratory. He’d probably come from there when Xavier’s arrival at the castle was announced.

Noticing her in the doorway, Xavier excused himself from Sander and walked towards her. The click of his shoes on the polished floor made Shael glance at his feet. The ambassador was wearing heels! She stifled a grin. Perhaps he hated being so short. Especially compared to her.

Xavier bowed deeply, then cupped his palms. Smoky spheres appeared and solidified into a posy of small, fragile-looking white flowers with drooping stems. “The first Hyllethan drops of the year,” Xavier said, giving them to her, “for the most charming Hyllethan lady in Dragonia.”

“Thank you.” Seeing she was the only Hyllethan in Dragonia, it wasn’t much of a compliment. Still, the flowers were beautiful. “I’ve never seen any like these. Did you call them Hyllethan drops?”

“Yes, I believe they’re seen as resembling the Hyllethans’ silvery hair.” Xavier raised Shael’s free hand and kissed her fingers.

Shael kept her features pleasant as she forced herself not to rub her fingers against her skirt to remove the feel of his lips. “My hair curls rather than flows, however.”

Behind Xavier, Sander let loose a low chuckle. “You got that from me, I’m afraid. Your mother had straight hair.”

“As do Grandfather and Iysel.” Shael met her father’s eyes, and a moment of understanding passed between them. Iysel’s Hyllethan looks would make him more acceptable as heir to the Hyllethan lands.

Xavier placed his hand under her elbow, bursting the bubble between her and Sander. “I prefer yours,” he said.

A thought struck her, and she turned to Xavier catching him by surprise as his gaze darted off her breasts. She gritted her teeth and stamped on the wish to knee him in the groin. “You must have known Iysel for years.” That could have been expressed better. It almost sounded like an accusation. To Zy’el with it! Perhaps I can rattle free some answers from dear cousin Xavier.

Xavier gave a slight cough.

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