Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [7]
They dance all evening, occasionally taking a break for drinks or just to talk. She doesn’t leave his side all night. At the end of one dance, her mother comes over to them and says, “We need to be leaving now.” She turns to James and says, “Would you be so kind as to escort Meliana home when she’s ready to leave?”
“Yes ma’am,” he assures her. “I’d be happy to.”
“Good,” she replies. Turning to her daughter, she says, “Your father’s leg is hurting, so we must leave. Don’t stay out all night, dear.”
“I won’t mother,” she assures her.
“Good evening, James,” she says to him. “It was good to meet you.”
“You too, ma’am,” he says.
Her mother returns to their table where she helps her father to his feet and they begin to leave the hall.
The rest of the evening is spent dancing and talking as they share past experiences. During one such break from the dance floor, James is amused when he sees Miriam has gotten Miko out on the dance floor. How she did it, he’d like to know. Miko looked positively frightened and lost out there. When the dance was over, he beat a retreat back to his seat next to Nate.
Miriam sees James watching and gives him a mischievous smile. He smiles back and then resumes talking with Meliana.
When most of the guests have left, James figures it’s about time to take her home. He goes over to Miko and says, “I’m taking Meliana home, would you like to come with us?”
Shaking his head, Miko replies, “I’m going to see Nate to his room and then stay there for a while before turning in.”
“Very well,” James says, disappointed. As much as he likes Meliana, he’s just a little scared of being alone with her. He sees Jiron over to the side of the dance floor talking to a couple girls and makes his way over to him.
When he asks if he’d like to go with them, he just says “No.”
“But what will her parents think if she’s with me all by herself?” he asks him.
“They wouldn’t have asked you to take her home if they were concerned about you,” he assures him.
“I suppose you’re right,” he admits. He looks over to where Meliana and Miriam are standing near the front doors, talking.
He leaves Jiron and makes his way over to where the girls are. They stop talking when they see him approaching. As he joins them, Miriam says, “Well, I better go and see how Nate’s doing.”
“Miko is going to see him to his room and stay with him for a while,” he tells her.
“I better check anyway,” she says. She gives Meliana a hug and says, “Goodbye, I’m glad you were able to come.”
Glancing briefly at James, she gives a little smile and says, “Me too.”
She slides her arm through James’ as they walk out into the warm summer evening. “Where do you live?” he asks, feeling good with her on his arm.
“Oh, it’s not too far from here,” she tells him. Pointing down the street to the right, she says, “It’s several blocks that way.”
Turning into the indicated direction, he slowly strolls along the street with her. There are other guests from the banquet walking along the street as well, while others are in carriages on their way home.
“It’s too bad you’re leaving in the morning,” Meliana says with disappointment as she lays her head on his shoulder.
“Yeah, I know,” he replies. “It’s been nice being here.”
“Maybe you could stay longer?” she asks hopefully.
“I wish I could, but I’m unable to,” he tells her. “I need to help get Jiron and Miko out of the Empire and back home.”
“I understand,” she says. “Maybe when things change, you could come back and visit?”
“Perhaps,” he says, “but that is highly unlikely.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she agrees.
Arm in arm, they walk down the street until they come to her house. A light is on in the front room. “Mother is waiting up for me, it looks like,” she says as they come to the front door.
“I guess this is where we say goodbye,” he says to her.
Suddenly, she embraces him and places her lips upon his, giving him a warm and eager kiss.
When she breaks off the kiss, James is left breathless and a little flustered. “I’ll miss you,” she tells him.
“I’ll miss you too,” he says when he