Chapter 6

                                    

                                          
After their frank discussion Laevon wasted no time in attempting to “help” Laeleth cope. He decided to invite Demetrius over the next day for dinner.
                          
Demetrius Weston was even more handsome than Laeleth had remembered. Tall, well built, and incredibly fair, he carried himself with nobility and yet an air of gentleness and poise.
He had the same green and brown leather gear as Laevon and the scent of the forest lingered heavily about him as he entered their humble home. His golden hair was layered around his shoulders and framed his well cut features.  A faint shadow of a beard had formed on his normally clean jaw-line.
His grey eyes, like a rain washed sky, looked warmly at Laeleth and his smile was like the clouds parting for the sun. How his perfect teeth gleamed!
In his hand he held a bouquet of wild flowers which he extended to her. Laeleth took them with a polite nod and smile. She did not think much of it as it was customary for a guest to bring some token of kindness when visiting.
                          
“Miss Laeleth,” Demetrius greeted her kindly. His voice was rich and soft like velvet. “It is so good to see you well. I have been quite worried for you.” He boldly took her hand and pressed it to his full, supple lips.
She blushed slightly at this gesture and wondered at how no other woman had yet won his heart. He was certainly the most desirable man in the entire village. For someone so beautiful though, he was rather humble and conducted himself as a perfect gentleman.
                          
“Thank you for your concern, Demetrius,” she replied politely with a smile. She had not expected him to be quite so attractive or to be so unnerved by his attention.
And yet, she still felt no particular interest in him. If Laevon was intending that she give him some consideration as a suitor she could not be more indifferent towards him.
                          
Dinner was a fine roasted pheasant and some of Laeleth’s garden vegetables. Laeleth was an excellent cook as she had often needed to prepare meals for the terrible Mrs. Marick.
The dinner was well received all around with Demetrius giving her the highest praise.
“Laevon,” he spoke cheerily, “you are the luckiest man in the entire village to have a sister like Laeleth. I have never had a finer meal or finer company.”
Laevon grinned as he was rather happy the evening was going so well. He agreed, “Laeleth is quite extraordinary in many ways.”
                          
Laeleth was not sure how to feel about his compliment, but simply smiled and thanked Demetrius for his kind words.
All through dinner Demetrius continued to smile at her and remind her how relieved he was at her return. She felt somewhat uncomfortable by all the attention he was showing her. She certainly had no reason to dislike him, but she simply could not be inclined to feel at ease around him.
He seemed overly cheerful and positive and was in complete contrast to her dark and serious brother. Laeleth wondered at how they got along so well.
                          
Demetrius drove the conversation with all sorts of uninteresting stories and asked many idle questions. It had soon bored Laeleth as she was unaccustomed to being a hostess or feigning any interest in the simple lives of the common village people.
                          
As she cleared away the remainder of the meal Laevon and Demetrius made their way to the sitting area.
Dusk had settled over the humble home and Laevon tended to the fire. The autumn nights were getting brisk and chill being so near to the mountains and the crackling fire was a merry relief.
                          
Laeleth soon joined them, taking her place on a soft cushion beside the stone hearth. She was rather silent as she listened to her brother and Demetrius discuss their patrols and routines.
Her mind began to wander as they droned on about different rangers she did not know and the uneventful happenings of the town.
                          
Laeleth found herself daydreaming as she stared at the fire.
She remembered how Gabriel’s eyes had glimmered in the firelight as though they were also burning flames; his fierce but gentle hands as he held her in his arms.
The rapturous thrill she had felt when he had refused to take her life, how she longed to feel his kiss again despite its icy chill. Was it possible she was feeling anything more than sympathy for him now?