15. Loud, so everyone can hear
The way you said âI love you.â
Ramia had been acting odd as of late, she had to be.
Abelas was unsure where it had started, he suspected he wasthe culprit. Her gaze always fell on him in those moments where her mindwandered, eyes going downcast and a sigh under her breaths. Whatever it was hehad done it was something she must have been putting up with for sometimes,hoping things would change on their own.
Well, speculating wouldnât get him anywhere, better toinvestigate and find out what was keeping his heart so sulky. So he went to thebest person to ask, albeit also the worst, her sister.
Solasâ daughter was a frustrating person at the best oftimes, and had a penchant for her motherâs eagle-eyed stare that put you on thespot. It never bothered him most of the time, but most of the time Abelasdidnât need anything from the girl.
âDo you have a moment?â
Laisa had been spending the last hour doing nothing, whichin her world was something. Enough of a âsomethingâ that she didnât like beingdisturbed when she was doing nothing. She had begun to make an effort for thesentinel however, since Ramia and him had gotten close. A glimpse into theknowledge that Laisa was not as cold as she probably liked people thinking shewas. They only shared a mother, but the girls were extremely close regardlessand cared deeply for the happiness of the other.
âSure, what is it?â She says and sits up to allow him spaceon the seat she had been claiming.
Abelas takes a moment of pause before speaking, âHas Ramiaexpressed anyâŚdejection, regarding me as of late? I feel there is somethingwrong that she is not confiding in me.â
âSomeoneâs being a shitty boyfriend.â The girl snickers, andit breaks into a louder laugh when Abelas smacks her knee.
âDo not be difficult today.â
âAlright,â Laisa taps her fingers along her stomach as if toponder hard on the query. Abelas can see in her eyes however she already knows.Has known for some time.
âSheâs been mopey because she wants you to be more openabout your relationship.â
âHow much more open can we be, your mother knows, which is afeat in itself.â
âYeah butâŚâ Laisa sighs, sitting up onto her knees, âyou twoarenât a secret anymore, but youâre still acting like you are. Itâs making herfeel like youâre embarrassed about the relationshipâŚI think thatâs what shesaid.â
âYouâve spoken about this?â
âOh yeah we talk about you all the time.â
âPfff! None of your businessâŚâ
âIt is about me, that makes it my business.â
âItâs girl talk Abelas, unique circumstances. Anyway weâregetting off topic be quiet.â Laisa stands, resting a hand on the elfâs shoulderand levelling him with a reprimanding look. âI think itâs about time you delvedinto some PDA.â
âPublic Displays of AffectionâŚâ
Abelasâ face quickly went from confusion, to clarity andthen settled on displeasure. Glaring at the young girl as she laughed again.
âAnd I think that concludes everything weâll need for thenegotiations on the western front of Brecillian.â Ramia says, eyes glued to hernotes as she relies on Abelas to keep her on a clear path of the hall.
Saoren gives Ramia smile as he regards her, âI must sayLavellan, excavations into the Brecillian Forest have gone much smoother withyour intervention. Your enthusiasm for the task is appreciated.â
The other council members nod in agreement, murmurs pullingher from her thoughts as she beams at the compliment.
âItâs a nice change from trying to prevent the end of theworld.â
âOf that we can agree!â Saoren laughs.
Ramia gives the councilmen a small bow and turns herattention to Abelas.
âI wanted to go see some of the artefacts the team found butIâm needed back home, can you make a note for me on what they found when youget there please?â Ramia asks Abelas.
âI will,â Abelas tells her. There is a pause as they prepareto say goodbye, usually followed by him giving her hand a soft squeeze, or herhand pressed against his chest. He sees that forlorn look in her eyes again,and the way her lips press as she bites her tongue. With his previousdiscussion with Laisa, his heartâs displeasure and stubbornness to remainsilent seems more obvious. In the way she stares with a slight glint of hopeand ultimately being disappointed.
It is not something he is accustomed to, but Abelas ignoresthe eyes of the councilmen a few steps away. His hands cup Ramiaâs cheeks,lifting her to the tips of her toes as he places a deep but chaste kiss astheir lips meet. Her surprise muffled, and when he pulls away her eyes are wideand her cheeks are deeply blushed.
âSend your mother my regards?â Abelas asks her as his lipscurl, he wants to chuckle when Ramia is at a loss for words. All she does isnod vigorously and swiftly makes her escape.
Abelas watches her leave, trying to ignore the eyes he feelsat his back. He loves the bloody girl, and if being a bit more vocal about itwill make her happy, he is willing to oblige.