“I was sending you off to war...”
His jaw tensed up again. Dry swallow went down his throat. Her face fell further into a sadness.
“…It was not a pleasant farewell.” Her voice cut out.
Another silence between them as the piece continued. He couldn't pull out of her melancholy stare. Something about her glowing eyes. There seemed to be a hopeful searching in them. That snagged at him as her expression was slowly morphing into the blushing shyness from earlier. Her beauty was back in full force. The change in her face was mimicking the feelings in his gut.
Some how, she was slipping under his guard. Without trying. A mischievous little sprite snuck into his brain. Laced it with thoughts. He tried so hard to fight it.
He wanted. He rejected. He was curious. He disregarded. His consciousness felt as wild as his swirling emotions.
“I dearly wish I could offer you more than what I am given. The burden is heavy on your shoulders.”
Her geniune, quiet statement caught him off guard. Unsure of what to say, he said the first thing that came to mind.
“Do your visions always come to fruition?”
“Yes, but some have alternate threads. One of the threads is always fulfilled.”
A flare of hope caused his heart to leap.
“Alternate threads?” He quickly asked.
“Yes.”
“Such as a different outcome?”
“Yes.”
“Did you…have you seen any for my fate?”
Her smile turned sympathetic.
She shook her head, “No, I am sorry.”
“None for our pairing?” He dared ask.
Her smile fell. That twisted his ribs.
“No. Again, I am sorry.” Her voice was so quiet, he could barely hear it above the ambient noise.
He knew shouldn't have asked that. Her inability to control her face made it obvious that he'd somehow offended her. But the selfish part of him needed to know. Needed a bit of hope. Hope that he couldn't be forced into something he didn't chose himself. Hope that there was a chance to escape. But still the little voices of doubt clawed at his brain. Talked to each other. Over each other.
The piece gradually ended. Unconciously he slowed their dance. They were toe to toe. The revealing look of her face was turning into it's beautiful sadness again. He was almost sure he saw hurt in it. Why? His gut dropped when she broke his stare. Guilt added to his perplexed state. He realized he'd dropped his smile again. Putting it back on, he tried to catch her attention again by tilting his head.
Her hand was suddenly snatched from his. A chiding click of a tongue.
“John, I'm ashamed to be your brother. You've completely ruined such an exquisite smile.”
The suddenly wrenching of the moment had him stunned to the spot. Her whole posture lifted as she set eyes on Reginald. Like a statue, he was forced to watch her hand slipped onto his elbow. The heat of her skin faded from his hand as she stepped towards Reginald. The charming compassionate smile brought her sweet one back.
“Come, my beautiful lady. Let me make up for what my brother lacks.” He teased.
Her light musical laugh froze him further. It was like candy. His ears savored it. When it faded from her lips, she looked at him. There was still a hint of sadness in the depths of her eyes, dispite the smile. She gave him a graceful curtsy.
“I did not find your demeanor to be unpleasant. Thank you for the dance, I wish you an enjoyable evening.” She quietly said.
He cleared his throat. Fought the stiffness in his body.
“To you as well.” He barely got out as he bowed.
Reginald whisked her away just as he finished his sentence. He watched her hang on his arm as he flamboyantly gestured in the air with his hand. She was obviously giggling through a sweet smile. Her gaze stayed transfixed on his grinning face. Irritation raged back as he was again abandoned in a sea of couples preparing for the next musical number. Grinding rang in his ear drums. Jaw clinched tighter than before. The illogical jealousy was seething. Seeing Reginald elicit such feminine responses from her was maddening. His primal beast didn't like it. She was supposed to be doting on him. Responding to the attention he gave her.
His logical brain slapped him. Beat the jealous beast into submission. Reminded him that he'd done nothing close to create such responses with their dance. That he wasn't charming or suave. It reminded him he shouldn't be having these thoughts in the first place. He was acting insane. Coherent sense finally pounded the same sentence across his mind.
She was just an elf. Just an elf. Nothing more.
He left the floor, trying to leave his conflict behind. It followed at his heels. Nagged as at him. Another glass of spirits didn't keep it at bay. Back at the table, he still felt unsettled. He sulked into his glass. Fermented in his brooding. A silent war was waging. Against his will, his eyes kept tabs on their location. Peered at them through heads and bodies. Reginald was getting bolder. His hand constantly nestled at the small of her back. Incessantly whispering in her ear. Bringing her drinks and coaxing her to try hors d'oeuvres.
He didn't like it. Jealous beast still clawed against logic's cage. It told him that, regardless of fate and visions, Reginald's behavior was uncalled for. That it was rude. Despicable. That he was going overboard to try to antagonize him. He was using her to as a tool to create his own selfish entertainment. He decided the his brother needed a serious word at the end of the night.
One drink after another. He lost count. It also made him lose track of Reginald. Lose track of time. Of conversation. Just a blur. The ballroom was spinning, but he was stationary at it's center. The revolving made him feel disjointed. An observer.
A soft pat on his back sent him shooting back into the orbit of the present. Glass of water set in front of him. It sloshed slightly over the edge. Droplets ran down the sides. He pondered them for a moment. Movement in the corner of his eye. Thaddeus had taken Reginald's empty chair. Gripping the cool glass, he sipped it as he looked over. Thaddeus rested his elbow on the table. Other hand on his knee. He could just focus enough to see an understanding smile on his face.
“I may be over stepping my bounds, but I am your older brother,” He said lightly, “I suggest you ease off your spirits of choice.”
He grunted and stared into the water he was quickly draining.
Thaddeus sighed, “I despise these as much as you are right now. But it will end soon.”
Belly bloated, he rested the empty glass back into the water ring it had originally created. He sighed at it.
“Thank you.” He mumbled.
Another pat on his back.
“Don't mention it. You've been looking miserable.”
“I feel it.”
“Dare I say Reggie is the origin?”
“As always.”
Thaddeus chuckled.
“Even with children and three decades and a half into life, he still knows how to spark my temper.”
He grunted again.
“Let him play his games.” He continued, grabbing his glass, “He will reap what he's sown in due time...”
Thaddeus stood.
“And you and I may finally be able to laugh at his expense.” He continued in amusement.
That had him breath an empty laugh. Thaddeus only left him for a few moments. Just as he returned with another full glass of water, the conductor of the orchestra announced their last piece. On cue, the bell tower tolled midnight. He could barely count it through the babbling. The light bouncing music drowned out it's last echoing gongs.
“Hm, time to turn into pumpkins again, dear brothers?”
He groaned internally at the sound of his voice.
“Amuse yourself, Reggie?” He heard Thaddeus ask above his shoulders.
“Amuse? No, no. Enjoyed, I dare say.” Reginald responded with a pleased tone,“Elves never fail to fascinate me.”
That hit his last nerve.
“So help me, Reggie.” He growled to himself.
Shoving his hands on the edge of the table, he pushed himself up and stood tall. Without a look back, he made his way to the exit. Put extra speed into his gate. He knew Reginald would follow. He'd make him work hard to keep pace. His brother's pride wasn't going to let him get away without one last jab. He was going use it to his advantage.
The further away from the hall and it's sounds, he was able to hear an echo to the clicking of his own boots.
“By the gods, John, must you walk so fast?” His playful voice was just over his shoulder.
He ignored him. Added more momentum to his strides.
“Are you trying to escape me, Hm?”
Still ignored.
“What could I have done to ruffle your feathers?” He snickered.
A turn into the garden. Crunching and clicking still trailed his steps. Bright moonlight turned the landscape into a different scene entirely. It cast all sorts of shadows. Reaching through foliage. They seemed to have life as a slight wind traveled through the grounds. It muted everything to a near black and white.
“John…”
He spun on his heel. Reginald bumped into his shoulder. He stepped back. His back bumped into the marble stallion. Without skipping a beat, he leaned back against it and crossed his arms. There was still an sly grin on his lips as met his gaze. The soft light made it look a bit more sinister than he probably intended.
Straightening himself to his fullest height, he narrowed his eyes.
“Was all that truly necessary?” He tried to keep his voice even.
Reginald's smile drooped. He gave him a shrug and a face of indifference. Humming a sigh, he examined his nails. His lack of response was infuriating.
“You went out of your way to make advances on her.” He snapped.
Still he looked at his nails.
“I thought you didn't want to engage in pursuit.” Reginald casually said.
With a huff he ran his fingers through his hair.
“I don't want to, but it doesn't give you permission to try to bed her.”
Reginald's eyes flashed at him.
“Just because you're not interested, doesn't mean no one else can be.”
“That's not the point.”
“The point is that I thought you rejected fate.” He said, his voice sharp.
He swallowed. With a long sigh he looked across the garden as he put his hands on his hips.
Reginald was right, but he didn't want to acknowledge it. It sparked the contradiction that writhed in his chest. Back to a mind firm in rejection, but a gut that told him he should reconsider. The little voice in the the depths of his heart asked ‘what if’ questions. Whispered possibilities. Sensible argument kept trying to crush it.
Reginald interrupted his thoughts. His tone was serious.
“You need to decide. Because in all honesty, she's a beautiful specimen and genuinely sweet. I would do more than just have her warm my bed. I'll pursue her if you don't.”
Stomach lurched. He looked back at him. Reginald's gaze was caught in the distance.“
She wouldn't have you. Her visions are exclusively of us.” He replied.
Reginald's eyes slowly flicked back. He lifted an eyebrow.
“How do you know? She told me visions have threads.”
“There are no threads where we are concerned.” He countered.
“Not yet, but I'm going to fiddle with fate.” Reginald shrugged again.
“That's impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible.”
He released a sigh at him. His mind spun.
“Give me time to decide.” He finally said.
“You have until Spring deliberations. She said she'll attend them.” He replied in firm finality.
He took in a deep slow breath. The muscle in his jaw was a tight for the countless time. He deliberately looked him over as he considered.
“Fine.” He grunted.
Reginald smirked and huffed a laugh.
“I've never seen you in such a mess over a female before.” He said in amusement.
A long breath out.
“I've never seen you so determined to infuriate me.” He gravely responded.
Reginald bellowed a laugh.
“Never interested in courting, yet the one female fated for you presents a challenge. You've never had competition.”
He groaned in humiliation.
“You are such a bastard.” He responded.
Reginald snickered.
“I don't need visions to predict what you'll do.” He said as he stepped away from the statue.
“And just what is that?”
He starting walking away. His grin was smug as he spoke over his shoulder.
“Do I really need to tell you?”
He watched him turn a corner. A long sigh.
What did Reginald know that he didn't?