Free Red Rope of Fate by K.M. Shea

cannot fight back. However, I can see your form has been slipping,” he said, reaching out with his free hand to correct Tari’s posture. “As long as I stay we will practice. For many hours.”
    Seer Ringali turned back to study Arion once more. The captain was chewing on the hard candy, wrinkles spreading on his forehead. (He was probably trying to sort the com plex emotions Tari was oozing.) “Yes, he’ll do,” Seer Ringali said before heading to the stairs. “I was afraid you would be tied to some insipid fool, as Our Crown Princess Yvrea was. You have gotten a much better deal,” the teacher said over his shoulder, pausing at the bottom step. “I am glad to see you again,” he finally said.
    Tari beamed and ran the short distance before throwing herself at Seer Ringali in an exuberant hug.
    Seer Ringali tucked the fan up his sleeve before patting Tari on the back and returning the embrace.
    “I am glad you came, Seer Ringali,” Tari said, stepping back after a few moments.
    “Yes. I imagine so,” Seer Ringali said, straightening his robes before turning to climb the stairs. “I would like to inspect my rooms. In the meantime you can prepare yourself for practice. A long one. Oh, and Tarinthali—if you use me as a saddle pack for your clothes ever again I shall string them from the roof like flags for the entire journey,” the teacher said when he reached the top stair where Evlawyn was waiting.
    The handmaiden escorted the intimidating elf away, gesturing for the footman (who carried several bags) to follow.
    Tari slumped her shoulders and turned back to Arion—who was still chewing the Berry Drop.
    “That was odd,” Arion crunched.
    “He likes you, stars behold me, he likes you,” Tari sighed in relief.
    “He likes those who keep him from attacking young elves?” Arion asked.
    “I’m trained to respond, he was doing it to test me. But it did please him that you reacted on my behalf, yes,” Tari tilted her head and fixed her gaze on Arion. “When and how did you learn to pronounce Seer Ringali’s name?”
    Arion finished the drop. “Yesterday. I asked one of the elf translators that constantly plagues us with requests for interviews for help.”
    “He was willing to teach you?”
    “I can’t say I gave him the option.”
    Tari laughed and stretched her arms above her head. “That went well. The worst of it is over now—for you anyway. He’s going to be a regular nightmare in practice, but I have been slacking,” Tari acknowledged.
    “This short meeting was what had you worked up?” Arion asked.
    Tari wrinkled her nose at the man. “You have no idea how lucky we are that you impressed him so deeply. One of my fellow dancers married an elf Seer Ringali didn’t like. Seer Ringali only refers to the dancer’s husband as “the beast,” gave her a leather collar and leash for her birth celebration, banned her husband from all Evening Star practice and performance grounds, and had him thrown out of his housing accommodations when he proposed.”
    “And you admire him?”
    “He has a good heart. His wedding gift to the dancer was a new house, and she wasn’t even his protégé. He will be very pleasant to you since he likes you.”
    “I’m not sure if he thinks of me as a man. He seemed to be treating me like a dog. What was he saying?”
    “Ahaha, I must go prepare for practice now.”
    “Tari!”

    Almost a week later Tari gingerly followed Seer Ringali down the hallway. The older elf looked refreshed and energized in spite of the late evening hour and hours of intense practice. Tari was fairly certain she was a sweaty mess, and she felt as if she had run with horses for a full day. Seer Ringali’s stamina was legendary.
    Seer Ringali abruptly stopped and turned around to face Tari. “Eat a light dinner,” he advised, jabbing a finger in her direction. “Nothing too rich, or you will make yourself sick.”
    Tari nodded and stretched her spine. Practice had kept them so late