Eloise Taulner Novels & Stories

she mused, her eyes sparkling, her French accent overflowing, “you look like the morning sunshine.” “Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, but please, just call me Eloise, Mrs. Laurent,” I said with a smile, and we shook hands. “Mrs. Laurent is not just any tailor in our city,” Nina mentioned as she introduced us. “Her name and designs are known throughout Scotland, particularly among the elites.”

“I need a horse for my…for Stella.” Aaron frowned slightly, seeming to give the apple more attention than normal. Then he held it back, running his hand down the muzzle of the brown horse and holding out her lead rope to me. “Tiffany. That's what she's called.” — The adrenaline from the sprint hummed beneath my skin, beads of sweat gathered at the back of my neck. I ran my hand against Olarya’s dark fine fur, stopping to scratch the back of her ears softly. Her sides expanded and contracted with heavy, rhythmic breaths, the faint smell of sweat rising from her coat.

The wall made a small, relieved sound when the picture came down; walls do not enjoy being accessories to euphemism. Evelyn watched from the stair, hair braided firm, the red scarf from Maera knotted in a looser confidence than yesterday. “Her true name?” she asked. Isolde set the frame on the console beside a bowl of pebbles that had once kept tulips honest. “Ellyn Taverne,” she said. “Her river name was Nell. She taught half a ward to read and the other half how not to be polite about what they’d read.” The new brass plate waited on the console, letters cut plain: ELLYN TAVERNE (NELL), RETURNED BY THE RIVER, SURVIVED.

He hadn't needed to finish that thought. Yet here she stood, the first human scholar granted permission to study elven cultures in their native environments in over a century. The High Elves of Solasa had been surprisingly accommodating once they understood her academic credentials. Aldergon Graniel, the Head Librarian of the Sylvanae Archive, had been particularly helpful, if a bit condescending. She flushed slightly at the thought of him – his tall, elegant form moving between the towering bookshelves, his deep voice explaining elven history with the patience one might show a bright child.

“What kind of weird stuffs?” “Uhm, there were bowls filled with varieties of what seems to me as herbs. Some were differently colored stones.” “Maybe she’s a herbalist.” Aunt Caroline concluded and they were again silent for some time. Ellaine cast a look on Aunt Caroline’s face. She had a knot on her forehead which simply told that her attention was in some place altogether. She had these straight, tight lips which was so unusual of her. To say or not to say was all Ellaine could think about. She remembered Margarette’s instructions. She hesitated at first but then, what’s there to loose?

He surprises me by guiding us toward the waterfall with no hesitation. I allow my body to relax next to him, taking in our bond, breathing in his scent … sweet honey and freshly cut grass. It’s not as strong as he probably scents me, but considering I’m only human, it’s enough for me to recognise it’s him. I relax even more at the sound of running water, Oliver next to me, and being in my favourite place. I don’t wait for him as I place the towels and bag on the ground beside my feet and enter the water.

Oliver suddenly says, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Oh, don't start with that!” Saulo grumbles, turning slightly toward him. “Eloá is completely different from Elisa. She's focused, always buried in books. I doubt she's ever even thought about having a boyfriend.” “Are you sure?” Aurora teases, raising an eyebrow. “I think if she liked someone, she'd tell me,” Denise comments with the calm certainty of a mother who believes she knows everything. “But the idea of her falling for one of the twins isn't bad,” Oliver continues. “Just imagine it. Our sons becoming sons-in-law twice over.”

“Of course. What else? Do you think I forced him? I know my son, he makes his own decisions. I could never push him into something he didn’t want.” The woman nodded slowly, though her eyes still studied Eloise with curiosity. “I’ve heard of the Lopez family. But when did Cosmo and this young lady become close? How did their relationship start?” Eloise only smiled quietly, unfazed by the probing look. “They were schoolmates at the university,” Tania answered smoothly, prepared for the question. “And Eloise was one of the well-known ‘gifted students.’ She was accepted into Tagaytay University at a very young age.”

Ophelia sat on the other side of Thea. Thea rolled her eyes at her cheeky friend. "That's not what I meant, Lord Lucian was searching for you. Didn't you know?" Thea questioned Ophelia. Instantly Ophelia's cheeks became very red. Everything that happened that morning came back rushing Into her head. She was instantly turned on. Thea and Max noticed Ophelia's flustered look and exchanged knowing glances. "Someone looks uncomfortable," Max commented with a grin. Ophelia looked at him with wide eyes.

"Mr. Lowes, Eva is from the countryside. She's uneducated and was a housewife for three whole years. Her upbringing has made her unrefined. Please forgive her if she offends you." Owen's blood boiled at her words. How dare she ridicule Eva in his presence? He immediately shot Oliver a sharp look, his anger barely contained. Oliver caught the hint in a split second. He turned to Tally and asked, "Excuse me, ma'am. Who are you?" Tally's confidence wavered, and she felt a twinge of embarrassment. "I'm Tally Hartwood. We met when you arrived earlier." "Oh, really? I don't recall that. Anyway, you're disturbing us. Please leave now."