The God's Game

tea

“No, no. it’s fine.” River pulled a chair out for the older man and invited him to be seated.

Aithan hesitated for a moment but, in the end, settled on the wooden chair. He nodded at a vacant seat in front of him and reached for the tea pot. “Please join me for some tea, your highness,” he invited, handing a dainty glass cup to River.

River had no appetite, but he could say no to him. He accepted the spotless cup with both hands and held it while Aithan filled it halfway with the light blue, sweet-smelling liquid. The warmth seeped onto his chilly fingertips.

“My Lord can address me as he wishes." River scraped the surface of the tea with the nail of his pinkie, removing floating bits of tea leaves. "I'm not much of a prince, anyway."

Aithan regarded him with his usual all-knowing serenity. His amber iris seemed even more alluring, with the blues of the tea reflecting off them when he sipped on the cup. "Riv"

That was fast.

"Is the tea good?" He queried, pushing a small platter of hard-boiled candy toward him.

"It is," River agreed. The tea was not bitter or harsh. It was mostly sweet with a tangy aftertaste. The aroma was floral and pleasant, having a calming effect.

"It is made of a blue flower that is native to the North." Aithan poured himself another half a cup. "It's only in season for a single month a year."

River's eyes went wide, and he promptly pulled back his hand that was extended for a second helping of the tea. They might as well be chugging liquid gold. Tea made of flowers was generally more expensive. Judging by the aroma, rare violet color, and rich taste, this single sip alone must be worth more than River's whole existence.

"His majesty has taken quite a liking to this particular type of tea," Aithan said, filling River's cup to the brim despite his protests.

Are you trying to indebt me to Raven Alistair !? Please give me a cup of your ordinary,cheap tea!

"He didn't strike me as a tea-enjoyer," River commented.

"He is not." Aithan Alistair jumped a brow, a glint of mischief dancing in his molten gold eyes. "He believes only pretentious people like tea and complains it tastes odd. In fact, I've never seen him drinking tea before."

River regarded the blue elixir with awe. What is this miraculous flower that made Raven Alistair cheat on his darling wine?

"He must really love its taste, then," River said, giving him a small smile. He was not enjoying talking about the walking tempest of a man this soon after their bicker, but if he was offered good tea over it, he had no complaints.

"I believe his majesty just likes the flower this tea comes from." Aithan gracefully unwrapped a candy with his slender fingers and pushed it in his mouth.

River tilted his head, all his previous anger towards the man forgotten. Profound confusion took its place.

Alistair ? Liking flowers? What is this? Omens of the apocalypse?

"Or rather," Aithan neatly folded the wrapper until it was no bigger than a pea. "The flowers remind him of someone important to him."

River fidgeted with the glass cup, deep in thought. He never expected Raven Alistair to be the type to hold such deep sentiments. He was so crude in his conduct that River always thought of him as someone shallow and easy with his affairs.

"He cares deeply about people around him and feels responsible for their well-being."

River glanced at Aithan, eyes wide.

"He is not very nice about it," Aithan said as he poured River the last bit of tea, "but he was worried sick about you."

River drew lines along the rim of the cup, not knowing how to face the older man. Suddenly, it felt like it was all his fault that Alistair was mad at him.

With shame, he admitted to himself that it was, in fact, all his fault.

"I'll talk to him." River sighed heavily. "I was not very nice,either."

Aithan bobbed his head once solemnly. "You do that."

He collected the cups from the tray and left the porridge on the table top."We have docked."

"Where is it?"

"Frostgate": Aithan picked up the wooden tray and turned to leave, but froze on his tracks. His brows knitted in concern, and he gently rubbed River on his back.

"Are you alright? Feeling faint?" He questioned me.

The river had indeed gone as pallid as a newly whitewashed wall. His eyes nervously darted outside the hatch window of the cabin, and his bottom lip quivered.

"I'll lay down a bit," he managed to smile ardorously, and Aithan tipped his head in approval.

"Eat first," he advised, and he left, swiftly closing the door behind him.

Frostgate. River thought, his heart squeezing in fear.

For a minute, he was certain the storm last night was God's doing.

 
Author has something to say.

Author was very sick past week. It is only now she is recovering a little.

The chapter is very bad in my humble opinion and it is kind of a filler chapter to help me get out of my rut.

Please ignore bad writting .

The tattoo