Alavin and the others grimaced at the bold suggestion.
Celesse smiled and nodded graciously. "Miss Eyla, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." Eyla circled Celesse, growing more pleased with each glance. Rarely did she encounter such flawless beauty. No, Mariela was one, but too cold, too aloof for comfort.
"Welcome to Cobalt Strike," Celesse replied politely.
Eyla playfully tapped Celesse's delicate hand with her fingertip. "Do you prefer men or women?"
Celesse gracefully withdrew her hand. "Miss Eyla jests."
"Eyla, stop it. Let me introduce..." Alavin began, but Eyla suddenly leaned close to Celesse and, to everyone's astonishment, planted a kiss on Celesse's tender cheek.
Silence enveloped the warehouse courtyard. All were stunned by the bold move.
Celesse stood slightly dazed until Eyla's lips parted, her tongue nearly grazing Celesse's cheek, snapping Celesse back to reality. She swiftly retreated next to Alavin. Her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, and she scolded Eyla. "Miss Eyla, such jests are unseemly!"
Eyla chuckled merrily, lightly hopping to Alavin's side, and winked at Celesse. "I'm claiming both of you!"
The onlookers couldn't help but facepalm. What a strange turn of events. Yet, looking at the whimsical Eyla, they couldn't muster any anger.
Godfred scratched his head, having thought that the two ladies would be at each other's throats upon meeting. But instead, they were hitting it off!
"Celesse! You're back!" Carlys ran from the base of the hill, playfully latching onto Celesse's arm. "I just heard our mentor returned, so I knew you would be here."
"I've just returned," Celesse said, regaining her composure.
Carlys suddenly sensed an odd tension and became wary of Eyla; she couldn't be challenging her sister, could she?
Alavin tried to ease the awkwardness. "Eyla, if you want to challenge someone, just do it. Why talk of cutting off fingers? That's a provocation, and it's too much."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Legendary Mage