The Beating of a Thousand Wings

Chapter 5

Evander

I reached for two champagne flutes as the server walked by with a tray and turned to hand one to Keiren. “I see you’ve found yourself some new friends since I last saw you,” I jested.

Keiren chuckled and downed half his glass. “Its hard to make friends with someone that has only half a brain,” he retorted. “Thank you for the save.” He stopped and looked around the garden. “This party is absolutely ridiculous. How did you get roped into this?” He asked turned back towards me.

“I drove in to visit my sister in law and niece, they both managed to bully me into coming. Esna is friends with the Duchess.” I shrugged. “And you?”

“My mother is cousins with the Duchess, apparently they not only think that I should be married but my sister as well. Speaking of, I don’t see her anywhere.” He looked around. “I swear if any of these jerks have her cornered somewhere he’ll lose a hand,” he growled.

I raised my brows in amusement. I vaguely remember him mentioning a younger sister but I can’t recall many details about her. “What is she wearing? I questioned.

“Uh this long poofy dress thats like tan-ish in color. Shes dark-headed and short. Kinda pale.”

I looked around the garden, surely he’s not talking about the same lady?! I look around an no one wore a dress like that or even remotely matched that description. I can’t believe she’s his sister. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone here in a dress like that. Maybe we would walk the garden annexes?” I suggested.

I could tell it irritated him she wasn’t in sight and he quickly hurried down the path I saw her go down earlier.

“Faeyliah!” Keiren bellowed. “What are you doing here alone?!”

I turned the corner just in time to see her jump at the sound of her brothers voice. Faeyliah. Her name sounded angelic and sent shivers down my spine. Seeing her again made the sound of wings come back and my heart started up again.

Faeyliah looked surprised to see her brother standing in front of her but quickly looked to her hands folded in her lap.

“Fae, you’re supposed to be mingling with people like dad asked. Instead you’re hiding from everyone,” he chided.”

She lifted her head to meet his gaze with a bit of defiance. God she was beautiful. “Im not hiding,” she replied. “I needed a moment to collect my thoughts and breath.”

“Hmfph…. Well its almost time for dinner so unless you want to anger our mother, I suggest you rejoin the party.”

She stood up and nodded then walked past the two of us without even acknowledging my presence. Somehow i’ve made her hate me! I inwardly groan.

Fae

There he was standing beside Keiren. They obviously knew each other but i wasn’t about to ask who he was. Not with him standing there staring at me with no emotion on his face. Besides Keiren would definitely have something to say if he thought i had any interest in anyone.

I stood, nodded in response to Keiren and walked past the two of them to rejoin the party. I knew he was watching me because i could feel the burn from his gaze but i was careful not to look ar him. What is this man’s issue with me? He was extremely handsome but is demeanor was the exact opposite.

I shook my head and made my way to the large dining room table to find my name on the table settings. I ended up being sat between two gentlemen, both nice enough but they seemed more interested in the ladies across from me.

Evander

Faeyliah was seated at the other side of the table about 8 people down from where i sat in between Esna and Merrie. I watched as the two men vied for her attention for a while before giving him and talking to the ladies across from them who happily drank in the attention. I smiled to myself happy to see that i don’t seem to have any competition here tonight.

Merrie interrupted my thoughts, giggling as she tried to steal my glass of wine. I quickly grabbed it and moved it out of her reach and she instantly stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. I smile and shake my head at her.

I feel someone looking at me and look up to meet her gaze causing her to quickly look away. She was watching my interaction with Merrie. My heart started thumping again and the defeating sound of fluttering wings drowned out the conversations around me.

Fae

I watched the man interact with the little redheaded girl who couldn’t be older than 4 or 5. He seemed to sweet and endeared towards her. I guess I didn’t something he found offensive for him to just stare me down when ever he looked my direction. Shoot! He caught me studying him! I quickly look down at my half eaten meal. I don’t seem to have an appetite this evening, so I just push my food around my plate, waiting for the evening to be over.

The ride home was quiet. It was clear that everyone was tired from the evening which hopefully meant mom would sleep in and allow us to do the same.

We reached the house and i lazily climbed the stairs. A servant came in to unlace my gown and i laid it on the bench in front of my vanity. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and sighed as i realized i needed to remove my makeup. I reached for the bottle of oil on my vanity and pulled a soft cloth from the drawer. Hopefully the moringa would be enough to keep me from breaking out since i didnt have the energy to finish my night time routine. Everything melted off my face but the lipstick she used left a light berry stain to my lips. Oh well. I’ll have to exfoliate later to see if it lightens up.

I sigh and crawl into bed but all the pins in my hair stick me as i lay against the pillow. I groan, switch on my bedside light and try to remove them all. Once i had a small mountain of pins on my nightside table, I turn the light off and settle back into bed. I wait for sleep to come but instead the face of the stern man appears in my mind, hes perfect features have become etched in my mind. I mentally trace his sculpted jawline, straight nose, etched cheekbones and full mouth his bronzed skin made him appear airbrushes with gold. His deep amber eyes had the ability to look through my soul. I yearned to run my hand through his dark wavy hair and i quickly chided myself. Are you stupid? I ask myself. Its very clear he doesn’t like your presence why would he? Ive apparently turned into one of those halfwit peaches. I let out a sigh and sleep took over.

Evander

I tucked Merrie into bed and kissed her forehead. She was so worn out from the party this evening that she was fast asleep by page two of her favorite book, The Paper Bag Princess. I quietly placed the book on her nightstand, switched off her bedside lamp and quietly shut her door before going to find Esna.

I found her in the sitting room, lost in thought with a glass of wine. I cleared my throat to get her attention. She slowly lifted her eyes and gave me a half smile.

“I take it by your prompt return that she immediately passed out?”

I smiled. “Yeah she seemed to have worn herself out this evening.”

“Good.” She nodded.

“Though she mentioned something to me earlier that was a bit interesting.”

“Oh boy,” she muttered. I raised an eyebrow in amusement.

“Yeah it was something along the lines of me needing to marry someone so i stay settled here. She even went as far as to ask if i was going to marry a lady after having a small interaction with her.”

Her eyes grew large. “Well you know shes a very imaginative child.”

“Yes that’s true but she is also four. Shes not exactly going to come up with all that on her own now is she?”

“Was the lady that pretty? Who was she?”

“I see you’re avoiding my question now. Yes she was pretty but I hardly exchanged any words with her.” I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah well I noticed you aren’t exactly telling me who she is. Besides you do need to settle down, Merrie needs you here.”

“Merrie needs a father Esna.” I saw a hitch in her breathing. “Duncan isn’t coming back. It’s been over 4 years. She never had to chance meet him.”

“She has you, Evan. Besides no man wants a widow, especially one with a child.”

“A serious man would, one that’s grown, thats mature.”

“Maybe. It seems that there is no one around here that’s serious. That aside. Did anyone at that party catch your eye?”

“Honestly Esna, a mating party? The whole thing is preposterous.”

She giggles in response.

“But since you asked, yes.”

“Oh!” Her eyes widened in surprise and she clapped. “Pray tell who is it?!”

“Someone that seems to want to avoid me. I have apparently done something to startle her off before being able to hold much of a conversation with her. But it happened.”

She paused im complete shock. “‘IT’ happened?!”

“Yes i heard the fluttering of a thousand wings.” I wasnt going to tell her that my heart was beating out of my chest, shed probably explode with excitement.

“Evan! Its her! Shes your chosen one!” Esna gasped.

“Yeah except for she doesnt seem to be able to stand my presence. She ran away from our small exchange of words and refused to look at me any time I was near.”

“Do you know where to find her?”

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. “She is Kieren’s younger sister.”

“Your friend from college? Thats perfect.”

I eyed her and she explained, “reach out to hang out with him, you’re bound to come in contact with her at some point. Maybe seeing you around from time to time will give her a chance to open up.”

She had a point. “We did share a bond over cars…. I wonder if i could reach out to him over tracking down a vintage one id like to add to my collection….”

“Sounds like you’ve already got a plan.” She smiled around rose from her chair. “Goodnight Evan,” she said as she left to retire. “Do keep me updated.”

I smiled and rolled my eyes. I’ll have to reach out to Kieren in the morning i thought to myself as his sisters face burned its way into my brain and my heart.