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."

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