124 His Mother

It was almost strange to be back in Jarenkul. But good at the same time. Home was home after all.

Vixen happily followed Lowks and his sister as they made their way towards their house. Tira and Lowks were talking quietly, but she ignored what they were discussing and instead just admired the profile her pretty much fiancé cut as he walked confidently through the narrow streets.

Lowks was more confident in the wilderness but he knew this city pretty well. So, he seemed perfectly at ease.

Then Tira left, heading off in a different direction. Vixen blinked and looked up at Lowks, "Where is she going?"

"Not paying attention?" He sounded amused as he tousled her hair, "She's reporting back to Queen Serendiah. We get to avoid going into the castle."

"…You work for the queen though…" She rolled her eyes, "I thought you liked it?"

"I do. Just prefer being outdoors. Obviously. Besides, Tira much prefers going there anyway." He shrugged, "And… I want to walk you home…"

As he got the last word out, he slipped his hand into hers and gave her a shy boyish smile. She gripped his hand tightly and grinned at him. "Can I go to your place for a bit? I haven't seen your parents in a while."

As he began pulling her off, he spoke in a smiling tone of voice, "If you'd like. Do you want to tell them about our courtship now, or shall I do that later?" He glanced sideways at her as he teased her.

Vixen felt embarrassed. She had no idea how his parents would react. She was not too worried about her own mother, but she did not want his parents to think she was not good enough for him. She liked his parents a lot and wanted their approval. Worriedly, she looked down, but managed to say quietly, "If it comes naturally, then just tell them. I wouldn't hide it. But can we not draw attention to it?"

"What is with that look on your face?" Lowks lowered his head and frowned at her, "Are you worried about my parents? They love you, I doubt they would have anything against me marrying you. Besides, they would just be glad I actually got myself a girl, rather than stay a bachelor forever."

Hearing him address her worries, without her having to actually say anything, made her feel far more relaxed. But after that he fell incredibly silent. She could not resist from staring at his face, and relishing the fact that she had caught him. That he was willing to be with her.

Suddenly he stopped, and she nearly walked into him. "What is it?"

"Nothing, Vix." He turned back to her and then leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. "C'mon. Let's go."

She was not sure what he had been looking at. And he seemed unwilling to answer. She pouted a bit as she followed him, wishing he had answered her truthfully. Because he had definitely stopped for a reason. So why couldn't he be truthful with her? He was planning on marrying her, right? Why couldn't he open up to her…

Vixen was not too surprised by the fact that Aureliana had opened the door before they ever reached. She had probably been sitting at her window, watching the road.

Seeing Lowks face light up at the sight of his mother brought a smile to Vixen's face. Even if he released her hand in order to hug the elven woman who had birthed him. Vixen understood. Aureliana had been a good mother to her two kids and they both loved her deeply.

"You're back?" The elf smiled at her son affectionately and then looked at Vixen, "Hello, Vixen. Glad to see you make it back in one piece. Come on in."

Vixen was more than happy to go in. Lowks's parents house was rather neat as his mom was very particular, to the point even her husband had caved in to her demands to meet her standards. But it was also a rather cheerful looking place, with plenty of windows and more than one potted plant.

"Where's father?" Lowks asked his mom as she went to go get them something to eat.

'Visiting some friends of his. He'll be back later." Her voice was filled with fondness as she talked of her husband. It was normal though for her. For an elf to marry a human they had to really love them in order to risk the pain of living so long without their partner. "Vixen, dear, do you want honey in your tea? If I remember correctly you always liked it that way."

"Yes, please." It came so naturally to be polite when talking to her.

She found herself relaxing though as she talked with Aureliana. And she was reluctant to leave, but Lowks suggested she should be getting home so that her mother could rest easy. There was nothing she could really refute to that so she let him walk her home.