As always huge thanks to Todger65!
*****
Isonei dressed in a brown and cream Lerian gown that matched Arissa's to go to breakfast. Walking hand in hand, she couldn't help but feel a little regretful that her time in her Daga's house was coming to a close. After the festivities they would be leaving for Torga, Burgath and Draeseth had been adamant. Something about autumn rains making the roads difficult to traverse in the carriage. It didn't make a great deal of sense to her, the autumn rains were always welcomed in Leria, but the Dagas seemed to understand their concerns.
Arissa, however, seemed to be floating. It was impossible to feel very unhappy next to the giddy Lerian woman. She'd been going over the drawings and instructions and giggling since she woke. When they arrived at the large dining room, Isonei's brothers were waiting with the Torgan Princes.
"Isonei, you look... lovely." Ialath rose from the edge of the chair he'd been perched on and came to kiss her cheek and embrace her. "Lady Arissa, you're always alluring but the flush of joy on your cheeks makes you radiantly beautiful."
"And you are always silver-tongued, Ialath. Have you been getting along with our other guests?"
Arissa smiled warmly and took Isonei's hand again.
"I've been making the attempt." His lips twisted as he answered, "It would be easier if we had more time to see our sister. Though, I am very pleased to hear Prince Draeseth's displeasure with her has abated."
"He's actually quite charming once he warms, and his love for Isonei is a delight to see. I think you have very little to worry about. I'll be truly surprised if the match fails."
"I never expected my sister to... take a match. Not an exclusive one, I mean."
"Not with a Torgan," Draeseth spoke sharply as he approached. His tone softened as he took Isonei's hand and kissed her fingers, "I had hoped you would be wearing one of the Torgan style gowns for breakfast."
"I'll wear one when we travel, I know you prefer them to the Aran gowns." She smiled at his questioning look. "My Lerian gowns, like this one, will remain here."
He made a pleased sound in his throat. "You look exquisite in anything, but Torgan gowns and braids suit you best." Draeseth stepped closer lowering his head as if he were going to kiss her.
Pressing her face to his she released Arissa's hand and stroked his jaw, teasing gently, "I'm very fond of the braids, but the dresses still strangle."
"Do you not enjoy the feeling of something snugly around your throat?" He murmured almost inaudibly and she felt her skin begin to heat.
"If I have to behave so do you, Isonei."
Arissa touched her back lightly.
Stepping back from Draeseth, she saw the self-satisfied smile on his face and the heat in his eyes. "Will Burgath mind riding with the driver for a short while?"
"I will ask him to ride with the driver and Krouth for a long while."
"When did you stop blushing when you say such things?" Isonei teased him, placing a hand on his chest with an impish grin.
He began to blush glancing at Arissa, "Forgive me. I am eager to have my wife where she belongs." His dark eyes glittered as he lifted her hand to kiss again.
"If you keep using your private jest in front of me, I will ask again what it means."
Arissa teased pulling Isonei toward the Daga's table.
Draeseth's blush deepened and he inclined his head with a playful smile on his lips. As he returned to his seat next to Burgath she heard the other Prince teasing him, "Areshen, brother. I may have to ride with the servants to escape from you and your adoring wife."
"It would allow me to kiss her in peace, without your complaints." Draeseth gave Burgath an amused look.
"And speed our travels, I have no doubt." Burgath gave him an arch smile.
"He was travelling with you?"
Arissa pinched her arm and gave her a scandalously amused look.
"You didn't tell me that!"
Isonei began to laugh, "It's not as if he were in the carriage!"
"You are indecent!"
Arissa's face was flushed and she was trying not to laugh.
"I told them much the same, Lady Arissa," Prince Burgath offered wryly. "She brings out a side of my brother no one ever dreamed existed. There was no one in Torga less likely to flirt, flatter, and charm than the Beast of Kroscur, much less show a lack of propriety and composure."
"The daughters of Liadith are known for that, among other things. In times long past, they were prized as peacemakers. The Dagas they were offered to went to great lengths to please them."
Daga Gildith spoke coolly.
"Had I a son, I would insist she be offered. He at least would know how to maintain propriety at the table."
Both Princes rose to bow in apology as Isonei's brothers offered the Daga a gratified look.
Teasing only slightly, Isonei turned a warm smile on the older Daga, "If you had a son, Daga Gildith, he would already be matched. The men of Gildith are as handsome as they are sharp and I doubt any daughter could bear to refuse them."
His cool green eyes warmed with amusement though his face remained stern,
"Don't turn your charm on me, daughter of Liadith."
"Who else should I turn it on? If I turn it on my Draeseth there will be more inappropriateness at the table." She let her smile turn to an impish grin.
"How Lord Eliorith ever managed to chide you baffles me. Even when you require it you can be too bewitching to speak sharply to."
"He watched me learn to be charming; I think it gave him immunity." She watched the hint of a smile curve his lips despite himself.
Daga Gildith bent to kiss her on the forehead before touching Arissa's cheek and kissing hers as well.
"Is it not enough you're the elder Daga's favorite, you're trying to be my father's as well?"
Arissa mock pouted at her.
Isonei feigned haughtiness,
"If you were more nice, you could be favorite."
A sound between a laugh and cough made them both turn to look at Daga Gildith.
"It has been some time since I listened to the bickering of small children."
Widening her eyes, Isonei put on an exaggeratedly offended expression.
"She started it! And she pinches!"
Arissa began to laugh and Daga Gildith turned his head away from the lower table, covering his mouth with a curled hand as he tried to maintain his composure.
"It seems you're all in a pleasant mood this morning."
Daga Liadith entered the dining room with a smile and a curious look at Arissa.
"The daughter of Liadith has been keeping us entertained in her Daga's absence."
Daga Gildith's tone was warm.
"She does an amusing impression of an impudent child."
Daga Liadith's brows raised as he deliberately sucked his lips against his teeth.
"Have you been doing an impression all these years?"
"The same as you, my Daga."
She gave him a bright smile moving out of the Daga's seat as Arissa took her place by her father.
"It is a pity that my grandsons are too young."
Daga Gildith spoke dryly as Daga Liadith sat next to him.
"Now that she's learning to be clever in the Lerian tongue I agree with you. She can throw words instead of small items."
He gave her a teasing look with sparkling green eyes and she laughed shaking her head.
