Chapter 43: Trouble For Another Day (Ch.43)

Zevon was frozen stiff as Chantria leaned against him for support.

'What was this?' Zevon wondered.

Chantria never acknowledged him or any of them in public, not unless she was required to. But not only had she called to him in such a manner, Chantria had equally initiated contact?

Right in the eyes of all the young nobles of any consequence in the entire capital city? In the eyes of Master Tylen of the Lavender Teahouse?

'Did she not know what message that would send?' Zevon wondered, 

A thousand thoughts ran through his mind in that short moment and Zevon could hardly make sense of any of them.

Zevon could not understand what exactly had just happened and it took him quite a moment to react, 

Just when Chantria concluded Zevon would remain standing as still as a street lamp, she felt Zevon's right arm find its place at the small of her back,

First tentatively, but his hold became confident at Chantria's quiet hum of approval.