As the city guards disappeared into the city, Anrynth ran to our side. "Forgive , my Lady. I take full responsibility for this. I should have known about the new laws."
"There’s nothing to apologize for," I said, finally loosening my grip on Luke. "No one could have known this would happen."
"But I–"
"It’s as the captain said. We left the manor before word could have reached us," Luke said. "Besides, it was you who brought them, was it not?"
Anrynth nodded. "Those guards must have passed by five tis in the last hour. But a few minutes ago, they actually approached and accused of loitering. As if parking a carriage in a designated waiting zone is a cri," he said with a sniff.
"And you told them that you were escorting us?" Luke asked.
"Of course. Even if it’s an overstep, their power is real, and I couldn’t risk inconveniencing you by being arrested myself. So when those soldiers marched by, I sent so of our house guards to request their aid. I’m grateful they lent a sympathetic ear."
"Hmm, I see. Then this really was planned," Luke mused, rubbing his horn. "That’s why it seed like they were waiting for us. After losing us in the market, they figured we’d have to return this way."
"Hey, where’s Fyren? Why didn’t he co?" I asked, looking around, my brow furrowed.
Luke turned, gesturing at the third-story roof of a shop looming several streets away. "He’s there, just watching. My guess is he wanted to see how we’d handle this."
I squinted, just making out a faint figure sitting atop the roof. As if sensing my gaze, he raised a hand and gave a single wave before dropping from the ceiling to the street below, falling out of sight.
Feeling eyes, I turned and found Captain Kaelon standing a polite distance away, arms folded, his weight resting on one leg impatiently. Feeling obligated, I left Luke’s side and went to him, giving him a timid curtsey.
"Thank you for saving us," I said.
He gazed at a mont before sighing, letting his arms drop to his sides. "I’m not sure if I was saving you or this," he said, gesturing around at the market. "I don’t know who that demonkin with you is, but I saw your fight against the Risen dragon at Sandra. If he has even a fraction of your power, then it was my duty to intervene before he chose to use it."
"This is Luke," I said, returning and grabbing his arm, bringing him back to the captain. "He’s my friend, and, well, an apostle of the demon horde. He’s thee...um, Captain?"
I trailed off, tail twitching uncertainly, as the soldier stiffened, his hand flying to his sword. His eyes were fastened on Luke, a tremor running through his body. Luke gazed at him cooly, unagitated by the reaction.
"You’re...no ordinary demonkin," the captain said. His hand trembled as he forcibly relaxed his grip, though it never strayed from his hilt. "Who are you? What are you?"
"Luke raised an eyebrow. "You can tell that much? I suppose elves aren’t all blind, pretentious bastards. As Xiviyah was so kindly explaining before you brushed her off, I am Luke."
"Luke? Of which house?"
A wry chuckle escaped Luke’s lips. "I have no na or title but that which I gave you. Believe it or not, the real world isn’t constrained by such petty constructs as you’ve imagined. But after how you acted with the captain, I suppose you already know that."
"Just a few months ago, I would have hated that a commoner like you dared to et my gaze, but now..." He shrugged, fingering the crimson thread around his sheath. "War has a way of opening a man’s eyes."
I looked between them, frowning at the tension still apparent between them. Unlike the guard captain, Kaelon was strong enough to sense the full extent of Luke’s power, who, unlike , made no real effort to hide it. But he should know we weren’t a threat, right? So why was he still on guard?
"Captain, could I ask you sothing?" I asked.
"I’ll answer anything to the extent of my knowledge, my Lady," he replied.
"Why did you save us? Isn’t it going to cause you so trouble?"
"Those guards wore gear with the Ellenwinter crest, aning it was likely donated specifically to their unit. If...Luke is right about this being a targeted incident; it was likely ordered by them, and certainly won’t end here." He shook his head, snorting derisively. "Corruption at its finest."
"My Lady," Anrynth said, drawing my attention. "Perhaps you could discuss this on the way to the carriage?"
I tilted my head. "I’m alright, really."
Luke looked at , and his brow creased. "I don’t know, you’re looking a little pale." His face darkened. Damn those guards, stressing you like this."
He turned, sending a vicious glare in the direction the guards had vanished to. A nervous chitter rose in my chest as I thought, for a second, he might actually be considering hunting them down, or at least releasing his aura. From the way the soldiers tensed, their thoughts weren’t far from my own.
I clutched Luke’s arm tightly against my chest. I felt the hardness of his tensed muscles as he glanced down at , and their firmness even when they eased again. My fingers traced the line of his forearm until I found his hand.
"Can we go?" I asked pleadingly.
His hand closed around mine, swallowing my fingers in battle-worn callouses and warmth. Butterflies danced in my stomach as our eyes t, the tip of my tail frozen mid-twitch. The world seed to fall away, the market, the elves, the tension, everything. His gaze was soft, yet held such depth. Irritation at the elves, resentnt for the gods, and...softness. Gentility for the girl I could see reflected in his pupils.
"Yes, let’s," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur that sent a thrill through . Still holding my hand, he turned and gestured at Anrynth. "Lead the way"
Anrynth nodded, his gaze shifting between us, before asking, "I presu this is acceptable, Captain? You don’t require us to complete any reports?"
"I’ll send soone to collect your statent, but I’ll see to it this incident is swept under the rug." he paused, gazing at Luke and thoughtfully. "Though, if possible, I’d prefer you head straight back to your estate before more trouble befalls you. I apologize if you had further plans."
"But we were supposed to have lunch," I whispered, pulling closer to Luke.
"Another day," Luke said simply, squeezing my fingers. "If that’s alright with you, that is."
"You an it?" I asked, looking up, my heart thumping. "We could do this again?"
He chuckled, the sound a low rumble that made feel all fuzzy inside. "If we don’t get arrested, I don’t see why not."
Before I could answer, the Captain let out a low cough. "Forgive my insistence, my Lady, but my n have waited many long months to return to their families, and I’d like to see them there sooner rather than later."
"Oh! Right! Sorry," I stamred, "You were just returning from the war?"
He nodded. "Right off the Yellow Sable. We were marching to the Brightsable estate, our ho garrison, for debriefing before release."
"Release? But the war isn’t over," I said.
The captain said, "Our orders were to hold the border, and we’ve done our duty. Our garrison took heavy losses during the initial invasion and suffered much as we marched on Sander’s Port. As such, we were among the first wave released back to the city. It’s not exactly a point of pride, being sent back first, but for now, I would see my n get a chance to rest."
"And should the Risen attack again? Will your leaders truly trust this kingdom to my demons?" I asked.
He shrugged. "I won’t pretend to understand the mind of those above , but I do know that should Commander Whitemarsh call on us again, we will answer."
A murmur of approval rose from his soldiers as they exchanged grim nods. I hesitated, looking around their harried faces, before lowering my head.
"I understand. And....thank you," I said softly. "I will be sure to speak highly of you to Lady Selena and Lord Aerion."
With that, Captain Kaelon ordered his n around us, escorting us to our carriage. I held Luke’s hand even as he helped into the carriage, clutching it shyly when he moved to let go and sit across from . He smiled faintly and settled beside , allowing to hold his hand in my lap.
I watched out the window as the carriage rolled through the city. Though we were now surrounded by the Brightsable soldiers, and the Ellenwinters guards were nowhere to be seen, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. But as the adrenaline of the encounter drained from my system, a slow, wearying tiredness crept in, and I yawned, my head drooping to rest against Luke’s shoulder.
A small, contented smile let the warmth budding in my heart out as I nestled against his side. R’lissea and Elise were right. I had been able to hold his hand.
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