May 6, 2010

In Which Ovrean Is Placed with a Thousand Emperors

November 23, 1166

Ovrean had come to the study expecting to see Lorn, but it was a pleasant surprise to find Celina instead, perched upon the sofa with her nose in a book. In her trance she was a pretty sight, not a chestnut curl out of place, her petite body relaxed as she found refuge in the tale, but she grew even more breathtaking as she looked up and smiled at him, her bronze eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun that streamed through the window. She had a smile that could soften the devil himself, Ovrean was sure of it.

Feeling a warm blush swell in his cheeks, he returned her grin with an awkward one of his own. "Good day, Celina."

"Good day, Ovrean," she replied, folding the corner of her page and snapping the book shut with one swift flick of the wrist. "You just missed Lorn; he's out for a ride with Had and Raia."

She ascended to her feet and gestured toward the couch. "Have a seat."

Ovrean obliged as Celina slid the book back into its place on the shelf. she was not the shortest woman he knew, but the top shelf was still a bit of a stretch for her; it was difficult to resist the instinct to wrap his arms around her torso and lift her to reach. Of course, the difference in their heights was such that it might have been difficult for him to do so without trespassing into an area he had no right to even think about touching--he would have to make more of an effort to keep his musings in check. "Lorn does deserve to have some fun with his friends. It goes without saying that he's been through quite a lot lately."

She swallowed, a somber look brushing over her sweet features. He hoped he hadn't said too much; however, instead of breaking down and tearing up, she threw back her head and nodded, returning to the couch at Ovrean's left hand. "That he has.

"And really... I think he needs to take every chance he can get to just be a boy again before it's too late. He had to grow up so suddenly that I doubt he can ever finish the process without slowing it somewhat, if that makes any sense at all."

Ovrean closed his eyes, filtering her words through his mind once more in order to form an appropriate response. "It does, and I think you have a valid point."

"I mean, Aldhein and I do what we can, but it's not the same," Celina sighed, her dainty hand flying to her brow and sweeping aside a stray curl. "I just worry about Lorn so much these days."

"He's strong," Ovrean tried to reassure her, "just like his mother."

Though a small smile breached her mouth, she shook her head; it was ironic that those who most deserved such compliments were often the first to refuse them. "He is strong, but is strength really enough?"

Ovrean shrugged. "It's the first step. Many virtues follow strength."

Celina pursed her lips, leaning slightly forward in her seat. The tilt of her head left the bare flesh of her cygnian neck exposed; it took a conscious effort to lift his gaze to her face. "I should hope you're right about that. What use is strength when one is not wise and just and kind as well? I can only hope my son had time enough to learn to be wise."

"He is just and kind," Ovrean observed.

"Yes, but does that necessarily make him wise? He's only a boy."

Only a boy. No son of Celina was only a boy; that would be saying that she herself was only a woman.

And she was so much more.

Ovrean hugged her tightly, then allowed her to lean on him, his arm draped over her shoulders. "He has plenty of time to learn. While it is true that there are great expectations of him, I believe that if there is any boy who can live up to them, it's your Lorn."

Celina grinned, more boldly this time; he even caught sight of a spark of pride in her gracious eyes. "Thank you, Ovrean. That means a lot, coming from you."

From him. Who was he? He was a mere knight, a count's second son; this was a girl who merited the praise of a thousand emperors. A host of angels could not have been a more wondrous presence. But alas, he could not say such things aloud without hurting her--it was not the time. "You likewise, Celina."

NEXT CHAPTER:

9 comments:

Van said...

Soooo... rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated?

Sorry about being lame--even had to do some creative sneaking to get this one up. In any case, I'm home in two days, so here's hoping things get back to normal(ish) then.

Thanks for bearing with me, all :)

Anonymous said...

Those two are ADORABLE together! The broken clock (Laralita) was right!

Seriously, the day Laralita said that should go on the Naroni calendar and be declared a national holiday, since I can't imagine she's right all that often.

Ahem. Anyway, wonderful update, and just so, so, sweet. Well worth the wait. :)

Have a good rest of your trip!

Penelope said...

Aww, I missed the Naroniez. <3

But really, would Celina be ready to move on from Dalston? And who's to say that she is attracted to Ovrean? Not that there's anything wrong with him from where I'm sitting. But for some reason, I imagine Celina really idealizing Dalston in death, even more than in life and clinging to that idealized image.

Phoenix said...

Awww! Those two are together are so cute! How much time has passed again? I always get confused! I'll have to look back but I gotta agree with Pen if it's only been a few months. Or maybe she's not even thinking of him that way. If that's the case I feel bad for Ovrean since he's such a sweet guy...and WOULDN'T cheat. Yeah, I'm still bitter.:P

Great to see you back Van!:P Although enjoy your vacation time!

Van said...

Aaaaah, sorry about the late reply, everybody!

Morgaine: I agree that they're cute in theory, but I think Celina might need a little more time on her own before browsing candidates for the position of Husband #2.

LULZ about Laralita being right so rarely :)

Thanks :)

Pen: Yeah, that's the thing. It's only been about a year since Dalston died, and she hasn't given any indication of being attracted to Ovrean anyway. I think we need a Celina POV before this can progress any further.

As for the idealization of Dalston, I think she will end up clinging to that--old habits die hard, after all. I do think she'll marry again at some point--she's only in her early thirties, and she's still fertile, and her kids are young enough that she might feel they need some sort of father-figure--but the whole idea of Dalston will probably be around in her head.

If she got with Ovrean, I doubt she'd have that same sort of half-constructed fairytale relationship going on with him. They could be comfortable together, maybe even quietly passionate if it turned out she did have feelings for him, but there wouldn't be that OMG YOU'RE AMAZING factor that always came into play with Dalston.

Thanks :)

Phoenix: Dalston's been dead for about a year, so while she still needs a little time before moving on with anyone else, it's not like she's still in that initial phase of grief when she half-expects him to walk through the door or anything. She's still mourning him, and I think a part of her always will be, but I can't see her never wanting to be with anyone ever again.

But yeah, she might not even be into him in that way. Like I said, we need her POV before anyone starts suggesting names for their kids or anything like that. After Dalston, she probably wouldn't settle for just anyone--she'd have to feel at least a little something for the guy.

Thanks :)

thewynd said...

After reading the comments here I have to agree. Celina was so enamored with Dalston and so in love that it would take time to reconcile that and move on even if it was with a father figure in mind. I still think she would be careful in her choice. And Dalston's death was abrupt so that adds to the grief.

I wonder if Ovrean came to the conclusion that he was attracted to Celina in spite of Laralita's prodding or because of it. Or were his feelings always there and she simply shed light on it?

And if it has been about a year then isn't imminent death by slaughter on the horizon?

Van said...

Yeah, Celina's not about to rush into anything, regardless of whether she likes him or not. It's way too soon.

I think he liked her beforehand--his rambling on and on about her was what sparked Laralita's thinking--but her prodding probably pushed him even further in that direction.

Heheh... imminent death is on the horizon near the end of next (Naroni) year :S

S.B. said...

I absolutely agree about Celina, Dalston and Ovrean. She needs time.

Laralita is so obnoxious, I'm surprised she didn't put Ovrean off. But even someone so frequently wrong can get it right once in a while, although probably for the wrong reasons.

This just twinkled for me! I really love it!

Van said...

She definitely needs some more time, but who knows? Maybe some day. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Laralita seems to have hit a rare jackpot for her. She probably won't be right again for a few years now :P

Thanks Beth :)