Air: Elementalist Book 1 by Rebecca Wolf (christmas read aloud .TXT) 📗

I was happy that she could finally let herself relax. The rest of the drive was filled with Penny being like her old self. Upbeat and carefree. Her attitude even raised my sour mood to the point that by the time we got there, I felt ready to face the other attendees.

The engagement party was held inside a glass botanical garden, with gigantic sculptures of metallic flowers interspersed throughout. I heaved a sigh of relief. At least there was plenty to hide behind at this venue. Penny and I walked into the main gathering area, and I looked around, trying to decide where to position us so we would feel the least awkward and out of place. I wished there was a bar instead of waitstaff walking around with flute glasses. At least then we would have the comfort of a bar counter in front of us. Even if we were on the wrong side of it. Penny looked at me and smiled. “You’re doing great, kiddo. Only three more hours to go before this torture is over.” She grabbed two glasses off a tray and handed one to me.

“Here, holding this will give you something to do with your hands.“

“Thanks,” I said with relief. It was good to have a friend who had my back. Just then I noticed Brian walking towards us through the entrance.

“Brian!” I exclaimed in happy surprise, “I didn’t know you were coming!”

“Not come to my goddaughter’s engagement party?? I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Brian said with a warm smile.  “I’m just glad Aiden thought to send me an invite,” he said pointedly, giving me a look of disapproval. “That invitation was from both of us,” I blurted out, trying to cover up my guilt. The truth is, I wasn’t going to invite Brian. I wasn’t actually planning on inviting anyone at all, except for Penny because she already knew everything.

I felt as though the fewer people who knew about this from my side, the better off I would be. What would they think when they heard that I had gone and married into the very people I purported to hate? And not only that, but that I was actually one of them! I couldn’t imagine the betrayal my friends and community would feel. No, it was definitely better if they didn’t know. “Brian?” I said tentatively, “please don’t tell anyone.” His features softened after a moment. “Little One, I would never.” I felt my eyes brim with tears, and I looked up, blinking them rapidly away before they could fall. Brian hadn’t called me Little One since my mom had passed ten years ago.

“There you are sweetheart!”

Aiden had spotted us and began walking towards us with a smiling older woman in tow. “I was wondering where you had been hiding!”

“Darling,” I gritted out.

“Meet my mother, Lucille Ember."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ember.” I said, holding out my hand to shake. Lucille pulled me into a warm hug instead, “oh you can call me Lucy dear. Everyone close to me does!” his mother gave me an amiable smile. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet the elusive air elemental that has my son so smitten,” she continued, “your all he has been able to think about for months.”

More like plot about, I thought darkly to myself.

“I was so worried he wouldn’t find someone before he snuffed out. I thought for sure he had made you up to get me to stop hounding him.” she reached up on tiptoes and gave Aiden a kiss on the cheek before continuing, “won’t you introduce me to your lovely companions?”

“Brian Smith, Zephyr’s godfather,” Brian said, holding out his hand with a look of slight worship on his face.

Well, that didn’t take long, I thought ruefully.

“Hello Brian Smith,” said Lucy, humor lighting her eyes. She smiled, “it is a pleasure.”

“Oh, the pleasure is mine, I assure you.” He said, taking her hand and kissing it. She laughed and blushed. The look on Aiden’s face was priceless. I wished I had a camera.

“How do you do ma’am?” said Penny nodding her head. “I’m Penny, Zephyr’s best friend.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Lucy nodding back. “Well, Brian, Penny, shall we take a stroll around the garden and give these two lovebirds a chance to talk?” asked Lucy rhetorically. “The sculptures were done by an amazing artist, I must show you more of his work.”

As she led them away, my confidence lagged. I really didn’t want to be left alone with Aiden. I was hoping I could somehow avoid this moment for at least half the engagement party, preferably the whole thing if possible.

“Zephyr,” Aiden said with hooded eyes, “you look stunning.” I turned away from him without answering, pretending to survey the guests instead.

“Try to look like you enjoy my company, sweetheart,” Aiden said in a bored tone, “otherwise, I believe you will be in breach of the contract we just signed.”

I sighed. “Oh really,” I said, turning to face him, “which part of the contract states that we have to look in love?”

“The part that says we must participate fully in the ceremonial roles that lead to our alliance,” he stated. “Participating fully includes the obligatory smitten faces and lovey dovey chitchat. Looking at your face some people might accidentally assume this is a wake.”

“I do not look that depressed.” I said defensively. He pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket, flicked to the camera and held it up to me. A scowling face peered back. I cleared my throat uncomfortably and tried to form my features into a more pleasant expression. “Better?” I asked. He sighed, “for now.” He looked over my head at something, and his features smoothed into a doting expression as he leaned down towards me. He whispered urgently in my ear, “I’m about to put my arm around you, don’t resist. Family members incoming.”

“What?” I started, as he