09-04-2018, 12:16 AM
Nik assented to Oriena's release, and a swell of pride warmed Evelyn from within. The Light of the Lord burned bright for a heartbeat, radiating from the other women, and swiftly snuffed. Acutely aware of the disturbing dearth of females but for the two of them, and another hovering on the periphery, Evelyn helped Oriena as best as the woman would allow. The men dismissed them as though nothing of interest remained to hold their attention. Of them all, Oriena was pushed to the brink the hardest. She deserved to be treated with a modicum of dignity.
Evelyn harbored every intention of doing just that when Nik deserted them. Her heart ached to follow in his wake. Lines of men fell in line behind him, billowing like dark cloaks falling from his overly-burdened shoulders.
She inquired as to whether Oriena would be alright as she settled into the embrace of her date. She recognized him from the ball and she was suddenly overcome with a bitter taste slicking her tongue like oil.
The two seemed fine despite the putrid stench of hatred brewing like a storm overhead. They needed a little explaining. Luckily, Evelyn was there to mediate. "He's endured a lot. You can understand, I'm sure." She smiled disarmingly and bid them farewell.
That was when she hurried after Ascendancy. Although, Evelyn never hurried. Rather, her pace was brisk. The black of her dress drew a shadow of her passing as she searched for him. When she found the group, he was confronted by a red-haired woman and wrapped with layers of protection.
As Evelyn approached, her heart beat harder and harder. Everyone was looking at her. She assumed they would recognize the American among them, and something cold and analytical slid over her from those shields of protectors lining the hall. Except for the red-head. The woman was older and had a sort of elegant, mature grace about her, but there was disgust in her glance. Or maybe it was disgust for the silent invitation that Ascendancy so blatantly posed.
She would have wished for less of an audience, but wishing was foolish now. Either she would follow him within, and all those present would bear witness to her choice, or she would turn away the one man she dreamed about her whole life.
She let herself be lost in those bright blue eyes. Needing, yearning for her.
Her feet moved despite the warning in her heart to maintain distance, but he needed her. Through her, he could find security and trust. She had only to trust herself.
She smiled at him as she walked by.
Evelyn harbored every intention of doing just that when Nik deserted them. Her heart ached to follow in his wake. Lines of men fell in line behind him, billowing like dark cloaks falling from his overly-burdened shoulders.
She inquired as to whether Oriena would be alright as she settled into the embrace of her date. She recognized him from the ball and she was suddenly overcome with a bitter taste slicking her tongue like oil.
The two seemed fine despite the putrid stench of hatred brewing like a storm overhead. They needed a little explaining. Luckily, Evelyn was there to mediate. "He's endured a lot. You can understand, I'm sure." She smiled disarmingly and bid them farewell.
That was when she hurried after Ascendancy. Although, Evelyn never hurried. Rather, her pace was brisk. The black of her dress drew a shadow of her passing as she searched for him. When she found the group, he was confronted by a red-haired woman and wrapped with layers of protection.
As Evelyn approached, her heart beat harder and harder. Everyone was looking at her. She assumed they would recognize the American among them, and something cold and analytical slid over her from those shields of protectors lining the hall. Except for the red-head. The woman was older and had a sort of elegant, mature grace about her, but there was disgust in her glance. Or maybe it was disgust for the silent invitation that Ascendancy so blatantly posed.
She would have wished for less of an audience, but wishing was foolish now. Either she would follow him within, and all those present would bear witness to her choice, or she would turn away the one man she dreamed about her whole life.
She let herself be lost in those bright blue eyes. Needing, yearning for her.
Her feet moved despite the warning in her heart to maintain distance, but he needed her. Through her, he could find security and trust. She had only to trust herself.
She smiled at him as she walked by.