Rona
"If it isn't my old friend!" I heard a boisterous laughter. "Here I was thinking you wouldn't come. Then again you never do."
The sound of laughter was like little bells in my ears, melodious.
The mystery man laid in a chaise lounge underneath a large tree I never realised was there.
"I think I finally understand why you warned me to stay away from other gods." I whispered to Kethan.
Three elven like women laid beside him on the chaise as he took a long sip from his glass.
How did they even fit in that?
"And I see you brought company." He teased, his lips lifted in a smirk.
One of the ladies squeezed into his arms, "You promised not to look at any other woman." She whined, her voice was soft, like a gentle summer breeze.
The mystery man sighed, running his hand through her curly blonde hair. "Now don't be jealous, Nita. I'm just having a nice conversation."
"Well," He turned to Kethan, "Won't you introduce us?"
"No." Kethan replied blankly.
"How rude of you." My eyes widened as he spoke. "It seemed living in that dreary underworld did nothing to your manners."
My eyes darted back to the Progenitor. 'Why wasn't he doing anything?'
"I should say the same, Morvane." Kethan stared at thee half filled glass of wine in his hand and the empty jugs that laid on the grass. "You still look as drunk as I last saw you."
"What can I say?" The man, Morvane raised his silver goblet in the air, "They have the best wine in all three realms."
Another elven woman refilled his glass and popped a grape in his mouth, sealing his lips with a kiss.
"Eat up, my love." She whisper, caressing his skin, "You'll need all the strength you can get for today.
Morvane groaned into her lips. "I know~ The only the good about this party is the wine."
The elf chuckles and pulled away, her fingera still lingering on his chin.
I swallowed. This was actually happening.
Morvane's eyes landed on me, raking through every inch of skin.
It unnerved me, his piercing eyes, the colour of an emerald and the smile that seemed like a mask he couldn't take off.
"Ah! The belle of the ball." He clapped, wine spilling on his robes. "What's your name, little one?"
I felt my eyebrow twitch at the nickname. Little one?!
"Rona," I replied, reminding myself that he was somebody I couldn't risk offending. "My name is Rona."
The ladies whined as Morvane stood up.
He took a step forward, slightly staggering, and his robes slipped.
A broad chest and sharply defined muscles came into view before he caught the fabric with one hand.
The sash at his waist remained firmly tied, concealing his chiseled abs ans whatever went beyond that mermaid line.
Heat rushed to my face as I caught myself staring and I immediately looked away.
A low chuckle drifted through the garden.
"Careful, little one," Morvane said, amusement dancing in those unnerving emerald eyes. "You look as though you've seen a ghost."
"I've met gods today," I muttered under my breath. "A ghost wouldn't be nearly as surprising."
His grin widened. "Trust me. They can."
For the first time since we'd arrived, Kethan let out a tired sigh.
"Morvane." He took a step closer, skin gliding over mine as he pressed his lips against my palm. "Lord of the Crimson cup."
I felt Kethan stiffen beside me.
"Morvane." He called out, his voice dangerously low.
Morvane raised his hand in mock surrender, his lips resting in a languid smile. "It's just a greeting."
Kethan placed his arms on the small of my back, his touch grounding me.
"It's never a just with you."
"You know me well," Morvane met Kethan's gaze, "But why don't we let the belle speak for herself."
"Morvane." I called out. The name was undeniably foreign on my tongue.
His smile widened as his name left my lips.
"I thought saying a god's name would kill me." I asked, tilting my head to meet Kethan's eyes.
"That's because he's not a god." Kethan replied, glancing at Morvane from the corner of his eye, "Not anymore."
"You can do that?" I asked as Morvane took a step back.
"Ayy!" Morvane plopped onto his chaise, bringing his goblet to his lips. "That's a story for another day."
I nodded, it sounded like a very sensitive topic, even for a drunk Lord.
"Just remember one thing," Morvane called out as one of his elven ladies pressed a fruit against his lips. "If you ever get tired of the dreary underworld, my arms are wide open."
"I doubt that." I replied, my lips curled in a small smile. "But thanks for the invitation."
After all, I needed to be near the Progenitor to get back to my real world.
Morvane's eyes curved into his crescent as his smile widened. "I see then."
I felt Kethan's hold on me loosen, the tension easing of his muscles.
"He's hopeless." Kethan murmured under his breath as he pulled me away.
"Is he always like that?" I asked, glancing back at Morvane. "Drunk?"
"More often than not."
"I wonder how the two of you became friends." Their personalities were like fire and water.
"Things were a lot different back then." Kethan stooped as we finally got to the entrance. "But, you did good."
I beamed, faking a curtsy. "It's my pleasure to be praised by his royal majesty."
A small smile graced his lips at my antics, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. "Avoid him when I'm not close."
"I don't plan on going anywhere near him." I replied as we stood in front of the banquet hall.
Music thrummed in the air around us, easing my frayed nerves.
"Morvane scares me."
I believe the term they call it was a yandere. He had a bright smile and his lips danced in a mischievous smirk but his eyes were cold, lifeless.
I shook my head. Enough thinking about that red haired drunk.
Sliding my hand into Kethan's outstretched arm, I took my first step into the banquet.
The glittery lights assaulted my eyes. Everything was so bright.
From the chandeliers that floated in the ceilings, to the polished floors that I'm sure was carved from gold.
It looked magnificent. "Immortals sure do host their banquets differently." I whispered into his ears.
The music slowed into a gentle thrum and I felt countless eyes on me, each one more piercing than the last.
"Is that him?" I heard a whisper from the crowd, then another.
"This is the first time he's attended the banquet in years!"
The Progenitor led me forward and all of a sudden, I became the centre of attention.
"Who's that?" Countless voices murmured in hushed tones amongst the crowd.
"Don't tell me he finally brought someone to the banquet?!"
A particularly piercing voice caught my attention.
"She looks drab." I heard a haughty chuckle, "He can do way better than that."
My hand curled up into a little fist as I discreetly scanned the crowd.
There she was, she flicked open her fan just in time but I managed to catch the vicious smile on her face and the.... smile lines.
"Guess I should've expected the attention." I whispered to know one in particular as the hushed whispers rose to a crescendo. "Just wished they didn't have to do it behind my back."
'You can deal with this. It's nothing compared to what you've had to go through.' I cheered myself up, straitening my spine.
Exactly. This was nothing. I could this, what was one ball?
All of a sudden, the murmurs ceased and the banquet fell into dead silence.
I blinked, What just happened? Did I miss anything?
"Is it me or is this too quiet for a banquet?" I asked, whispering in the Progenitor's ears.
All of a sudden, the orchestra started playing a vibrant tune.
It was a sound I had never heard, a blend of thousands of years musical knowledge that instantly cooled my nerves.
I was immediately drawn to the sound, tapping my foot against the floors as I picked up a wine glass from a passing server.
Even the servers looked like works of art that belonged in the museum.
I really am in the land of gods.
"Do you want to dance?" I heard a familiar voice from behind me, Kethan.
I waved my hand repeatedly in the air as I took another sip from the wine.
It tasted heavenly, at this point I'd wind up drinker than Morvane.
"But you seem to enjoy the music."
I scratched my chin awkward. "I am, but appreciating amazing music and dancing are to different things-"
"Well," he cut in offering his hand for a dance. "I insist."
I took a huge gulp from the glass of wine,
'The particular hue of the floor is quite interesting,' I thought, staring at the floors made of pure gold. 'I wonder what technique the goldsmith used. He must've been incredibly skilled.'
The Progenitor cleared his throat. It was an order, not an offer.
I groaned as I placed my wine glass on a nearby tray.
The jokes on him. My dance teacher permanently banned me from his class.
I slid my hand atop his, performing a proper curtsy.
"It would be my pleasure."