“I’m fine,” I lied.
I felt like such a fool, having such a physical reaction to the mere thought of facing that many people. It made it worse that both Levent and Rio had seen the anxiety on my face immediately. I did not want to be babied, especially not by these two.
The half-blood looked at me in a way that clearly showed he doubted my words. However, he was stopped from voicing this opinion. Feenaly dashed up to us.
“Ah! Miss Taimi! What are you doing out here? The feast is –“
“Miss Taimi will not be joining the feast, I’m afraid,” Rio interrupted, his voice authoritative and serious.
“Wait. I’m fine, really–“ I attempted, but was shushed by a quick wave from the half-blood.
“She is feeling ill at the moment and will not be able to join the guests for dinner. The two of us,” the redhead looked toward the kin, “will be accompanying her. Please forward our apology to our gracious host for being unable to join him for the feast.”
The thin maid was visibly overwhelmed by Rio’s verbal onslaught, and nodded slowly as she worked the words through her head. She shook herself into composure.
“Um. Yes, of course. I will bring food for you, honored guests. Where would you like…?”
To this, Rio did not have an express answer. He looked at me, then to the kin. Fortunately, the dark-haired one seemed to have been contemplating this issue already. He turned to Feenaly and adopted his own diplomatic tone.
“Somewhere with plants or flowers, if at all possible” he answered.
My face turned some shade of magenta, I was sure.
“Ah! The gardens? Shall I show you the way?” Feenaly glanced at me with concern.
“Yes, please,” I answered.
Feenaly rushed to my side and helped me to my feet, making me feel even more like a weakling. She led us away from the noise of the dining hall, and out a narrow doorway at the back of the tower.
The dark courtyard glowed blue from the crystals’ lights reflecting off the silvery trees. I tried to examine the strange plants as well as I could before Feenaly