The Coral Kingdom - Douglas Niles [101]
"To our hosts! Their generosity stands as a shining example to all the Realms!" proclaimed Robyn, raising a crystal goblet of red wine. All the crew joined in the solemn toast.
"And to our guests," replied Trillhalla. "May their endeavor be blessed with success."
Thoughts of that endeavor again propelled Alicia. She felt certain now that, if her father lived, they would find him. Yet in the fellowship of the fireside, the camaraderie of their last night on Evermeet, she felt a growing wistfulness. The thought of her companions gave her strength, and she resolved to throw herself into the resumed voyage with every ounce of her energy.
"Where's Hanrald?" the princess wondered at one point when the company was well into their second cask of wine.
Brandon looked at her, his expression sly. "He's gone for a walk with Brigit, I think-at least, I saw them amble off together a few hours ago."
The princess looked around, trying to suppress her sudden shock. In truth, she had noticed the bond that had seemed to slowly develop between the couple, and every time she thought of it, it puzzled her. She felt a flash of jealousy toward the elven woman, a feeling she recognized as irrational, but it remained with her nonetheless.
After tuning her harp, Tavish sent songs of joy and celebration wafting through the camp. She played short, lively songs, ribald ballads, and sang gentle verses of love and valor-all of it music that floated through the night, a perfect counterpoint in sound to the idyllic grotto surrounding them.
Alicia listened to the songs dreamily. Idly she looked around again, wondering if Hanrald had returned, but neither he nor Brigit were anywhere to be seen.
Her gaze drifted over to Brandon, who looked back at her and grinned. She saw a light in his eyes. Was it the reflection of the fire, or something else? When she looked at Keane, the magic-user seemed morose, sitting quietly by himself and staring into the flames.
Abruptly the princess rose to her feet, surprised that her legs seemed slightly unsteady beneath her. Nevertheless, she started into the darkness beyond the pale of their fire. Soon the thickness of the grotto's grove surrounded her with foliage, blocking out the glow of the fire behind her and the glimmer of starlight overhead.
Alicia wondered for a moment why she had walked off like this. She couldn't find anything out here, and that, she admitted, was probably a blessing. Or had she come out here to find anything? Perhaps she wanted instead to get away. Everything seemed terribly confusing to her.
"It's the wine," she mumbled, turning back to the fire.
"The wine… and the firelight on your hair."
The voice was Brandon's, and it came to her as a shock. He had followed her into the darkness!
"Wh-what do you mean?" she demanded, startled.
"I didn't mean to frighten you," explained the northman hastily, placing his hands on her arms. For a moment, she froze, barely seeing his tall form in the darkness. But when he leaned closer, she raised her lips to his and they met in a long kiss.
It is the wine, she told herself as a torrent of emotions, thrilling and frightening, poured through her. His strong arms clasped her firmly, and she found that grasp comforting… and welcome.
"I love you, Alicia, and I would sail to the stars and back if that would win your love in return!"
The suppressed tension in his voice surprised Alicia, and it excited her to realize that she had such an effect on this proud and independent man.
And then they had no more time for words as their lips met in another kiss. Slowly, gently, Brandon lowered Alicia to the ground.
* * * * *
Keane watched and waited, staring at the place in the darkness where the northman and the princess had disappeared. A thicker blackness than mere night threatened to sweep over him, and his mind worked its way through a variety of imagined pictures-the two of them alone, in the woods, on this night of celebration and