Raven's Soul. Volume 2 - стр. 11
I waited patiently to be noticed. Alviss and Evans couldn't be oblivious to my presence! Luckily, Evans seemed to read my thoughts and, rising to his feet, turned to me. He looked happier than I'd ever seen him. And, I must admit, there was something special in his beautiful wide smile, something childish, kind, and completely sincere. That's very rare nowadays. I smiled back at him.
– Alviss, I completely forgot to introduce you to my companion.... – The healer held out his palm in my direction and had time to say only this before he was suddenly interrupted by his friend, the old mage.
– Life! A life companion, I hope! – Alviss winked at Evans with his yellow eye.
Those words made my cheeks blush like poppies. I wanted to explain to the old man that he was wrong, but Evans had time to do it before I opened my mouth in indignation.
– Oh, no! Not at all! – Evans said hurriedly, as if noticing my confusion. – Just my battle buddy.
– I don't believe it! – The old man said the last syllable, then crossed his arms over his chest and stomped his little foot in his low leather boot.
I was both amused and annoyed at the same time; I was tempted to throw my hood over my head and leave the old matchmaker's company when Evans grabbed my arm and pulled me into the next room, past the pouting Alviss.
– Hey, hey!" I heard behind me, and in a few seconds the gray-haired man was following us. – Wait, my place isn't cleaned!
– Oh, come on! – The healer said cheerfully over his shoulder and stopped suddenly. – Better pour some tea, we're going to be a while.
– Oh, boy, you haven't changed at all! I remember the last time you said that, I had to take you on as an apprentice! – the old man reminded him, snapping his fingers.
In the small room there was a small, neat, carved table, under which four small, even miniature chairs were hidden. Against the wall stood a small glass cabinet, from which flew out painted mugs and saucers: they all landed on the table with the utmost care. When everything was in place, a teapot and a tray of cake appeared out of nowhere and took up all the remaining space on the table.
I watched it all with admiration, for I had been served tea by my maid before, and the use of light magic in such a domestic scene was something I had never seen before.
– People are always surprised. – Clinging to the table, the old man struggled to climb into one of the chairs and began to study me intently.
"But I'm not human," I thought sadly, taking a seat at the table.
Evans followed suit.
If I had been one of the court ladies of the royal palace of Kaldwind, my life would have turned out differently. I would probably do my best to be seen by the king, marry him, bear him an heir, and live my life well. But I'm the heiress of Flammehav, a demoness, a red-eyed girl, the king's war trophy.... How did I forget my status? Why did I so quickly forget the humiliation I'd suffered, the way Derek had treated me, and give in to temptation so easily? Why was I now trying to save the husband I had recently hated with all my heart? If he died, I could be free of my marriage to him and return to my native Flammehav. Love? Could it have come so suddenly?
– The thing is, this girl isn't ordinary," Evans said quietly, coughing into his fist.