“Perfect.” He gave his wife a stern look. She clamped her mouth closed with a snap.
A small victory. Perhaps he had some understanding at how she felt in the revealing gown. Or perhaps he merely wanted to shush his wife’s nagging about her appearance. Either way, Snow was grateful and grinned at Elator as he moved past Yirrie. He stepped into the room, holding the box out to her.
“For you,” he said.
Snow took it, opened it and gasped when she saw the silver circlet resting on a bed of white satin. The scrollwork was delicate. Elator lifted it and placed it on her head. She turned to look at herself in the mirror and stared with appreciation at the lovely silver band. It dipped to a point on her forehead. For a moment, she belonged. The only difference between her and the others was her rounded ears.
“I love it,” she whispered.
“Fit for a princess,” he said.
Her heart skipped at that. She realized he was saying it as a thought of affection, but it still sent a shiver through her. He didn’t know who she was, nor did she ever want him to know. She cut a glance to the pendant resting on her dressing table. The rose and crown symbol gleamed in the half light.
“Happy Springtide.” He kissed her on the cheek, then took Yirrie by the elbow. “Now, come you two. It’s time for the festival.”
Snow paused a moment longer, giving herself a once over. Satisfied with the vines trailing over her, she smiled. Yirrie picked up a large basket loaded with her freshly baked bread and handed it to Elator. She picked up yet another basket full of her mini vegetable pies. Remnants of her baking frenzy still lingered in the kitchen, leaving it with a heady, earthy scent.
Snow followed them out into the early evening air. Even though winter was giving way to spring, there was still a chill in the air reminding her that though flowers bloomed, the frost could return.
Elves gathered under the twinkling lights of the trees. One of the Elders walked the length of a nearby table lighting every candle as she went. The evening air was redolent with honey beeswax—the scent of the candles—and the scent of fresh cut flowers. Laughter filtered through the village and somewhere in the distance, the sound of a lute followed by the soft lilting voice of an elf in song.
Snow paused at the edge of the table, watching as Elator and Yirrie melded with the growing crowd. Smiles were on their faces as they greeted their neighbors and friends. Yirrie took to placing her mini pies at every place setting until she ran out. Elator placed loaves of her fresh bread on the tables, going down the line until his basket was also empty.
“Hello, Snow.”
The voice next to her made her jump and her heart kick into a rapid beat. She pressed her hand against her chest as she looked over to see Ardan standing next to her.
“Apologies. I did not mean to startle you.”
“It’s all right.” She dropped her hand and tried very hard not to look at him.
Ardan was handsome. His pale blue eyes twinkled with starlight. His white hair was cropped in short layers that floated around his head, barely brushing the collar of his pale blue tunic with silver buttons. She didn’t want to notice his perfect white pants tucked neatly into his shiny black boots. Nor did she want to notice how close he stood to her or how pleasant he smelled. Like patchouli. Spicy and sweet all rolled into one.
He clasped his hands in front of him and remained next to her in congenial silence. Still, it made her uncomfortable to have him standing so near. She shifted from one foot to the other, scanning the crowd and wondering when it was appropriate to make her escape.
“You look lovely this evening.” He sounded unsure.
She cut him a glance. “Do I?”
Color rose in his pale cheeks. “You do.”
His gaze wondered over her, pausing on the tiny flowers she’d conjured on the vines. He reached for one on her shoulder, his finger grazing the delicate petals. Her eyes met his, making her stomach flutter. All the surrounding noise dissipated. For a blissful moment it was only her and Ardan. And for that moment, she was lost in the depth of his dreamy eyes.
“Would you care to dance with me later?” he asked.
Oh, dear. She didn’t know how to answer that without sounding rude. Yes, she most definitely wanted to dance with him later. But common sense told her to refuse.
“I—”
“There you are!”
The shrill voice rose, breaking into their intimate moment and shattering whatever magic was forming between them. It was his sister, Valda, charging toward them. Her gown was the same blue as his tunic with a high neck collar. She had the same pale blue eyes as he did and the same white hair, though hers was much longer and braided in an elaborate braid that crisscrossed the back of her head and then hung down in one long plait down her back. Disdain crossed her face as she glanced at Snow and then took her brother by the hand.
“Emyais looking for you.”Emyawas the elvish word formother.
He gave her a sheepish glance as she led him away. “Bye, Snow.”
So much for her dance with Ardan. She sighed. It was the way things were and she was used to it.
