The dinner with Aliks had left Nik stunned. He knew none of them were as young as they once were and he had fond memories of his first introductions to the City of Elua and to society, but the plain fact was that they were all slowly getting older. Nik had inherited the County what, three years past now? The family was in a fine state, but things were changing. He had thrown his weight behind the Courtesan and her relationship with the Crown Prince… well, he was King now and still no closer to being wed. That was why Nik had started frequenting the Hall of Games again. The gossip was far better there and there were far more people there willing to lose money for no good reason.
He found himself at a table of younger Namarrese lordlings who were already well into their cups when he sat down. No challenge in taking their coin, but he wasn’t really there for that. He needed news. He wanted his finger back on the pulse of the Court. There were no rumors yet about the Longest Night; his friendship with Aliks ensured that he’d had an invitation to the fete at Cereus House. Perhaps he’d lose that good fortune once she retired? If she retired. Though, he couldn’t conceive of a Dowayne remaining in office when one was considering a permanent relationship with another, be they adept or no. He was close enough with Petrea and had come to know Aimee. Well, whatever would be would be.
Distracted, he found himself losing a few hands at plaques. He frowned, realizing there’d been another person who joined the table after him. Focusing, he realized there was a grinning face across the table from him. As he moved back to the present, the name of the person came back to him as well.
“Michel nò Bryony… I thought you’d moved back to Eisande!”
“I had, my Lord, but with the Longest Night coming up, my Dowayne asked if I’d make a special trip back. Even though I’ve completed my marque, Rachelle wanted her best people available for the gambling.”
Niklos nodded in response, a wry grin on his face. “Well, that explains why I’m down twenty sovereigns right now. I think I’ll cut my losses. Can I interest you in a drink?”
He stood, Michel rising as well, and they headed toward the bar. Niklos noted a number of eyes following him, curious, until Michel leaned in to comment to him. “There’s a book open on you, my Lord. More than one, actually. One is regarding whether you’ll serve as Sun Prince again, with this likely being the current Cereus Dowayne’s final year heading her House. The other, however, is if you’ll ever marry. I think there are a number of ladies looking to be winners in that bet.”