Blend

Flightless Bird, American Mouth // Iron and Wine

Ellete pops back into the shop, "Daralis, can you watch the store front for me?" Her voice is practically a song with the rising timbre of her pitch.

"Again? I thought you had finished with the party preparations?" I hate running the front.

People.

Talking.

Very bad.

"Yes, yes, that's been finished. But Lord Nicandros just agreed to take a stroll with me."

I can tell Ellete wants to give a little squeal of delight at the prospect of walking alone with that man. I want to scream in warning. He is not trustworthy. I feel it so strongly I cannot on this occasion hold my tongue.

"Ellete, I don't believe you should entertain him on your own. There's something about him-"

"There certainly is." Ellete doesn't allow me to continue, cutting me off before I am able to explain. Her eyes glare at me. "Don't you try to sour my opinion of him, Daralis. I know how you think. You hate everyone, so why should he be any different? I will thank you to keep your opinions to yourself." The chastisement in her voice brings a chill up my spine.

"I don't hate everyone." I protest, only to hear Father clearing his throat behind me. When I look back at him, he gives me a slight nod and a shrug of his shoulders. "Not everyone!" My protest continues.

"No, only anyone who breathes in your presence or speaks. Ever. I'm not going to stand here and listen to you malign his character. Now, will you watch the store front or not?"

After the little speech she just gave, I should tell Ellete to watch the store herself. But on the other hand, perhaps I should allow her to play with fire. I wonder how long it will take before she gets burned.

"Fine. But honestly, Ellete, this is the last time. I cannot keep doing all the jobs in the bakery. You owe me." As the words leave my mouth I have an overwhelming image of Nicandros and his favor. He owes me as well. I follow Ellete out of the kitchen and into my own personal hell. Thankfully there are no customers at the moment, save one.

"Are you ready?" Nicandros asks Ellete as soon as she makes her appearance. I notice immediately that his tone with her is different than his tone with me. Has he always been this way?  I can't help my curiosity as my ears perk up. I strain to listen to every word the man says. Try as I might, I can't recall having paid this much attention to him before now.

"Yes, of course. Thank you for escorting me. I've been needing fresh air for ever so long." Ellete's little singsong voice nearly sends me running back to the kitchen. But my need to listen to Nicandros speaking with her overrules my instincts.

I suppose that's been true since the moment he set foot in our shop.

"My pleasure." He has hardly said five words to her while I've been listening, but I'll be damned if every single one hasn't been filled with kindness. Nowhere do I see his smirk. I don't hear the arrogance I have now come to associate with him. Who is this Nicandros?

As the thought appears, Nicandros cuts his eyes to me, as though he's read my mind. The smirk returns instantly, as if he's saved it for me. His eyebrow rises and he purses his lips.  Ah yes, there he is. This is the Nicandros I know, the one who makes my anger burn. Who was the gentleman Ellete is allowed to see? An enchantment?

Nicandros says nothing to me, continuing to glare, or stare, or gaze. I'm having a hard time deciding which look he's giving me. Before I can figure it out, Ellete draws his attention back to herself.

"Lord Nicandros, I was wondering, since it is my birthday, would you grant my birthday wish and agree to be my escort to the party?"

He is looking right at Ellete as she speaks. My stomach bottoms out when she asks him to escort her. She's become very bold lately, asking him here and there. I never ask for his presence. And yet, he seems to find me wherever I am. My feelings on the issue are muddled and I can't make sense of any of them. I stand conflicted about the scene before me when I notice Nicandros cast a glance my way. Gaging my reaction to her request, I suppose, although why he would care I couldn't say. I glare back at him until he shrugs then turns his gaze back on Ellete.

"What an honor it would be, indeed. However I wouldn't want to keep you to myself when so many would want to have your presence grace them during the celebration. I will politely decline, but promise to be a most enthusiastic guest."

I can't help but think he's given her the perfect response. A dismissal with diplomacy, grace. I would even go so far as to say caring. Something in me softens. Until he looks back at me, eyes filled with... darkness.

This man has me officially tied up in knots. He portrays many different conflicting emotions all at once. I don't understand what has happened right in front of my eyes. But Ellete is as unaffected as I am affected. She's given only a smile and a nod, as though she's completely content to be refused by the Lord of her dreams. It is a silent testimony to how different we truly are. She is accepting of him entirely. And I am not.

I watch as he offers her his arm, and she greedily takes it. I watch as he opens the door and ushers her through it. I watch as he turns his eyes to mine. I find myself mirroring the dark gaze and the power I always feel oozing from him. I watch as he reacts to the look on my face, the heat in my eyes. It's a scalding frustration pouring from me. I watch as his anger changes, his eyes lose some of the dark power, softening before me. I gasp as I see him close those eyes, shutting them off from my gaze when all I desire in this world is to see it again. I struggle for breath feeling cut off from all air in the room as he turns away, closing the door as well. I freeze in shock and horror as I question, once again, what has just happened between us. And I shake as I answer my own question--

I do not know.

See you tomorrow!