The Festival of Maeralya, the most scandalous social event of the year. Isonei had been to these masquerades since she came of age but this one was different. This year the delegation from Torga would be attending the King's and he'd made certain there were more women than men to give them a chance to participate. This year she'd been among those invited to attend the most lavish and debauched of the masquerades in the kingdom.
For hulking brutes, Torgans were reputed to be prudish. They had never shown an interest in partaking in the Festival before and the rumors said they were only attending to be polite. Isonei peered over the balcony curiously trying to spot one. Supposedly, they were fierce fighters and could move like cats. She bit her lip and felt her face flushing beneath her mask. The most thrilling Festival night she'd had was spent with a soldier who'd danced like a demon. When she asked where he'd learned, he'd said if you can fight you can dance, among other things.
Swirling beneath her were lords and ladies in their well-cut doublets and gossamer gowns with masks that made it impossible to tell who they were. The thrill of not knowing who you were drinking and dancing with until you woke in their bed in the morning. She shivered.
A warm hand caressed her back through the silver silk of her diaphanous gown. Isonei turned her head to see a familiar smirk and warm brown eyes she knew all too well.
"Such a stunning creature should be careful not to catch cold, I'd be more than happy to warm you." He offered the finely engraved chalice in this other hand.
"No, thank you." Isonei smiled courteously and slipped away. She'd almost called Feyrith by name and that would have been poor form. He'd made it clear he wanted to be the only one bedding her and she'd declined the offer. Feyrith had his charms but he was spoiled and arrogant, Isonei would rather sleep alone than settle for someone like her brothers.
She grinned at the jester king dancing by himself and teasing the ladies closest to him as she descended the stairs and the jester noticed.
"Here's a merry maid, surely she'll dance with the King of Fools!" He bowed mockingly and held out his hands.
Laughing, she accepted, "Of course, if I never danced with fools I'd never dance at all!"
He crowed and tried to spin her off of her feet. "Such a gracious girl! Do you take them to bed too?"
Keeping her feet, she laughed and lobbed back, "If you had a cup you might find out!"
He pulled her close, prancing in an awkward imitation of the dancing going on on the floor. "I may not have a cup but I have a c-AAAHHH!" He yelled overdramatically as Isonei stepped on his foot with a grin.
She leaned close to tease, "You should probably ask why only fools dance with me."
"Gods!" He spun her free with a grin. "A cup! I need a cup!" He began to hop among the men who'd gathered trying to get one. After a moment of being laughed at and having no luck in getting one, he turned back and bounded up to her again. "Spare a kiss for a cupless fool?" He wrapped his arms around her waist and fluttered his lashes.
"Charity is its own reward." Isonei cupped his face and gave him an open mouthed kiss, slipping her tongue playfully between his lips.
The jester king fell back as if in ecstasy, crowing and clutching his chest. "A kiss like that for a cupless fool!"
"I'm eager to see what she'll give a man with a cup!" Feyrith put an arm around her waist and held her firmly. Isonei stopped smiling and tried to pull away politely. "Oh no, you mischievous thing. I'm not letting you go that easily." He murmured into her ear.
"Nonono!" The jester king leapt forward giving her a wink and pulling her free. He spun with her whispering into her ear, "Head for the gardens." As Feyrith came forward the jester released her and faced him, drawing himself up, "I challenge you for the heart of the Queen of fools!"
As much as Isonei would have liked to stay and watch the jester king put on his show with Feyrith, she knew he wouldn't be able to do it twice. If Feyrith wasn't going to let her enjoy the evening without him she'd have to evade him as best she could and find someone to drink with quickly. She heeded the jester's advice and slipped through the crowds toward the gardens, it would be easier to duck Feyrith among the statues and hedges.
Outside the air was much cooler, scented with late-blooming blossoms, and the moonlight and lanterns gave a soft light that made her gown glow. Not ideal for hiding. She wrapped her arms around herself with a shiver as a breeze blew. It would be warmer deeper in the hedges.
Isonei moved through the hedges looking for a warmer place to stay out of sight. If nothing else the jester king might come looking for her at the end of the evening and she'd be willing to be very charitable after the performance he put on.
Hearing Feyrith cursing as he came into the garden, she rounded a row of hedges and stepped into one of the King's flower gardens. A few couples were strolling among the blossoms but there was nowhere to hide among the flowers. She looked around helplessly.
"Are you looking for someone?" A deep velvety voice spoke softly behind her.
"Hiding from someone." Isonei turned with a nervous smile and looked up at the behemoth who had spoken. A Torgan. Someone had neglected to tell him that the masks were meant to be alluring, his might have been some sort of animal skull painted black and embellished with silver.
He extended his arm opening his thick black cloak as if in invitation.
"You're offering to hide me?" She couldn't hide her amusement.
He drew his arm back slightly. "If you wish." His dark eyes studied her. "You look cold."
"I am." Isonei tentatively stepped forward and slipped under his arm, letting him drape his cloak around her. It was much warmer beneath his cloak, and he smelled like leather and spices. Isonei wrapped an arm around his waist and let him lead her through the flowers.
It felt strange to be walking in silence next to someone. Feyrith was fond of the sound of his own voice, and every time she had attended the masquerades for the Festival of Maeralya the men she'd chosen were eager to impress her with wit or boasts. This man was content just to walk. It was surprisingly pleasant.
He paused in front of a large flowering shrub with sweet smelling, brushlike flowers. Isonei reached out her hand to touch one. "This is beautiful, I don't think I've seen one like this before."
"It was a gift from King Orgath of Torga to King Tamnaeuth some years ago. I hadn't expected it to grow so well here." He sounded pleased, and with her arm around him she could feel his deep voice as he spoke.
"Do you have many beautiful flowers in Torga?" Her inquiry went unanswered and she looked up at him curiously. He was looking down at her as if unsure of his answer. "You're not fond of flowers." She gave him a rueful smile.
"I am." He tilted his head and spoke with surprising candor. "I was told the women of Ara require flattery and that I should always say they are more beautiful than flowers when the topic arises."
Laughing, Isonei shook her head, "Not all of us require flattery and it only works if you can flatter convincingly." She saw him smile beneath his mask.
"Anyone who doesn't believe you to be more lovely than the flowers that surround you is either blind or an idiot." Feyrith spoke from behind them almost pleasantly and she tensed, drawing against the Torgan's side.
