Tears spilled out of Halri’s eyes seeing that and Cassandra instantly reached out to reassuringly pat her hand.
A stunned Lotus watched Razial being so affectionate with the child.
"You want to see something cool?" Razial asked.
The boy quickly nodded his head, watching the commander with his big, bright eyes.
"Watch closely." Razial moved his food plate away, making space in front of him.
Not only the child but every person sitting at the table watched the commander with keen interest, halting their eating. He moved his middle finger, and an icy wind began to form. He slowly whirled it, giving it shape and solidifying it from foggy white to crystalline blue.
"Wow!" Luca exclaimed, placing his small hands on his face as the commander continued to shape the wind until it turned into a horse with a rider on top. It proudly stood on the wooden table.
An ice-sculpted horse with his rider.
"Princess Lotus!" Razial requested and she understood what he needed. Quickly, she conjured a few soft branches, which Razial used to tie around the horse’s neck and back so Luca could hold it without hurting his hands.
"Here!" Razial picked it up and extended it towards the young boy.
"I love, pretty." He accepted the horse and threw his arms around Razial again, placing a tiny loving kiss on Razial’s cheek, tinging it red from the blush.
Luca jumped down from his lap, excited to show it to everyone.
"Remember to hold it from the top, and just like everything else, this will melt when it is warm," Razial instructed, hoping the boy would learn that nothing in this world was permanent.
He nodded his head in understanding and rushed to his mother to show her the horse.
Halri was holding back her tears when he dangled the tiny horse in front of her.
"Aww! It’s so pretty Luca, just like you."
Luca jumped on his feet in excitement.
"Can I show my friends?" He asked and Halri rubbed her son’s back.
"Of course, you can."
He ran out of the house with the horse. His friend lives next door.
Everyone turned to Razial with reverent-filled gazes.
Halri turned herself towards the Commander with blue eyes.
"Thank you! For making him happy. I appreciate your gesture."
"It was my pleasure." Razial offered a kind smile.
Lotus was unable to tear her eyes away from Razial, she tried but failed.
"You are pro with the kids," Siroos stated, tearing the bread, still busy eating.
"I like them; they are cute and innocent, unlike us adults."
Faris winked. "Talk about yourself, Commander Razial. I am still cute and innocent."
The room roared with laughter at his words, even Halri forgot her sorrow. Her house had brightened up again.
Lotus placed her hand on Razial’s filling him with her warmth.
"That was a good thing to do. I am proud of you." Her words turned his whole body into a furnace; his ears turned burning coal red as he stupidly nodded, unable to speak.
Lotus was praising him.
"A storm is due; my sister is praising you, Razial," Cassandra snorted, and more laughter followed.
"Most likely but I will take it." Razial’s chest puffed with pride.
"I just speak the truth." Lotus flicked her hair back and kept her nose raised high in the air.
The dinner ended on a high note, and Halri arranged for them to sleep along with other women of the town.
She had taken on the duties of being the mayor of the village after her husband’s demise, so she was in charge.
"Gani will take you to her house. She has a spare room where you can sleep," Halri addressed the youngest couple.
Since they were mates, everyone assumed they would sleep together. Flush on their faces was worth seeing as they stared awkwardly at their companions but no one intervened. Cassandra even winked knowingly at her brother-in-law.
Slowly they got up and followed Gani to her house. A middle-aged woman with a motherly smile.
Once they were gone, Lotus simply said before Halri assumed she was Razial’s mate.
"I will take up a room with my sister."
Siroos leaned back in his chair, hearing her words, and drummed his fingers on the rough wooden table, while his other arm wound at the back of the chair.
"What if I say I want to share a room with my mate?"
"Sleep alone for one night. Nothing will happen, brother-in-law," Lotus instantly retorted.
Siroos shook his head letting his curls fall over his mesmerising eyes.
"I can’t sleep without her. I am not letting you borrow her, she is mine."
Halri watched them go to and fro in confusion while Razial and Cassandra wore smiles of amusement. Not jumping in.
"We know, you don’t let any opportunity go by when you don’t show that." Lotus clicked her tongue.
"That’s what lovers do. Right? Razial. Back me up here." Siroos cast a glance towards the black-haired man who sat with his arms crossed elegantly over his chest.
"Yes! When you love someone, you ought to show it and claim them."
"Wise words, I wonder if you truly believe in them." Cassandra raised a brow towards Razial, hinting at him to make his move.
He adjusted himself so he faced Lotus, trying to grab the opportunity.
"Ahm! I know it’s cold but maybe take a walk with me tonight."
Lotus watched him with her eyes narrowed, she knew he was up to something as Siroos and Cassandra kept hinting at it.
"It’s cold outside; maybe you can talk in the room there with the cosy fire. Cassandra and I are heading over to the old man’s house. He invited us for some chat." Siroos indicated to Cassandra and she took the hint and promptly got up.
Leaning towards her sister, she kissed her cheek and whispered, "Be good."
Lotus crossed her arms in annoyance and dramatically pouted.
"You are leaving me alone here with Razial? Don’t you fear for me?"
"I fear for Razial," Cassandra nonchalantly said, she then turned to Razial. "Good luck, she is all yours to talk with."
Lotus opened her mouth in shock while the men snorted at Cassandra’s answer. Halri had to tightly pursue her lips as well or she would burst out laughing.
"Take care, good night and thank you again for the scrumptious dinner." Cassandra held Halri’s hands and wished her a good night before leaving with Siroos.
Lotus watched her sister in exasperation.
"The room is arranged, if both of you will need anything. Please, let me know. There are extra mattresses in the room too," Halri respectfully told them, pointing to the room.
"Thank you for your hospitality." Razial nodded at her as she took her leave to bring Luca home and put him to sleep. She closed the door behind her.
Razial turned towards Lotus and expectantly pointed to the room with his eyes.
"Can we talk?"