“What sort of story will this be to tell my intended?” he wondered mournfully after a while, keeping his attention on the dark-haired person across the room who was either eyeing him or eyeing Tahlen. Probably Tahlen.
Tahlen seemed very still. Zelli determinedly did not look at him.
“Maybe they will live around the capital and they’ll think me regrettably unsophisticated.” He had another sip. “This is my only night out, possibly ever, and all I did was eat potatoes and have a cup more of wine than I should.”
“More than a cup,” Tahlen observed. There was a sentiment beneath the words, probably something about how Zelli could not do his duty with his head full of wine.
Zelli still would not look at him. “I am as close to as stylish as I will ever be, unless my intended wants to give me jewels.” He could not imagine it. Tahlen was so unmoving, so silent. Zelli had another sip. “No one will even talk to me. It’s… I am a Tialttyrin. I am fae and strange looking. So they will not speak. But I could never get a stare like you are getting. I am not one to be admired.”
He hadn’t meant to use that word. He glanced to Tahlen.
“I’m sorry.” Zelli put the cup down so he could gesture safely. “You didn’t take an oath to listen to my whining.”
“I think most would whine in your place, although you consented to the idea of the alliance readily enough.”
Tahlen did not have to say things like that. Zelli almost wished he wouldn’t. It was confusing.
“You’re confusing,” Zelli informed him in case Tahlen did not know that. He turned back so he could keep watching the one watching Tahlen. Yes, definitely watching Tahlen. “Are you angry, Tahly—Tahlen?” Zelli corrected himself, shooting Tahlen another glance. He had once, only once, called Tahlen that out loud when Tahlen had been new to their family guard and Zelli had followed him around like an infatuated puppy. Tahlen had turned to face him and then Grandmother had beckoned Zelli away and given him a scolding he had not forgotten.
Zelli sat up. “That was overly familiar. I apologize.”
“You can call me that if you want.” The permission did not sound reluctant. Neither did it sound enthusiastic.
The terrible feeling was back in Zelli’s chest. He gave a small shake of his head. “Your sister calls you Lolo.”
This at least made Tahlen sigh. “Because as a child, she used to call me Tahlo, and over time, it became just Lolo.”
“Really?” Zelli held the scrap of knowledge close. “That’s adorable. I don’t have any siblings, of course. And the cousins near my age are all farther away. Some in the capital, where my parent is. I won’t call you Tahly, or Lolo. Iamsorry, truly.”
“You don’t need to keep apologizing,” Tahlen said quietly.
Zelli could feel Tahlen staring but avoided his eyes. He reached for his wine again. He was rather surprised Tahlen hadn’t stopped him from drinking too much, since Tahlen seemed to give orders when it pleased him to.
“You have an admirer,” Zelli remarked without indicating the person he meant. “No one will approach me even to discuss their problems. I despair for my intended. This is a sign. I would not even make a good spouse for a wine merchant. I’m not approachable and this is as beautiful as I will ever be. And that’s not much.”
“Zelli.” Tahlen broke into Zelli’s melancholy thoughts and Zelli turned to him in surprise. Tahlen’s voice was hard. “What do you expect me to say to this?”
“Expect?” Zelli regarded him in tipsy astonishment. “I don’t expect you to say anything, Tahlen. I already know how you think of me, and it’s… it’s not well, is it?”
Tahlen’s wonderful mouth was open, his lips just parted. Zelli stared at them for as long as he dared, then returned to his probably obvious study of Tahlen’s admirer, who was… heading toward them.
“Tahlen!” the woman called out. Woman, unless she was like the true bards or anyone else who claimed a between status like Zelli’s parent.
Tahlen jerked his head up to follow the sound, thenrelaxedto see her. Zelli could not think of another, better word for it. His brow smoothed and his shoulders eased down, if only a little. When he glanced to Zelli, the tension returned.
Zelli lowered his head to stare at the table and said nothing when Tahlen stood to greet this person and got enveloped in a hug. Zelli did not think he should have more wine but did anyway.
“Strange times without yearly visits from the nosiest of the Tialttyrin,” the woman said, bold as anything with Zelli right there. Zelli almost liked her for it, but she still had her arms around Tahlen, who was still allowing it. “Thought we’d see you last year at least.”
“The Tialttyrin hasn’t been well,” Tahlen explained politely, possibly irritated on Grandmother’s behalf. Or possibly he was irritated that he hadn’t been here last year so he could repeat whatever he had done with this person the first time.
“If only we all got a rest like that when we didn’t feel well,” the woman added.
Zelli looked up.
She met his gaze as if expecting that.
Zelli, because he could, raised his eyebrows and looked away again as if bored.
