I tried to do it once. My knights had to carry me back to my bed, while also reminding me the room was already paid for, so it was a futile effort.
They were adorable even then.
Now that memory was at the forefront of my mind, we were on the way to this same town … or was it the next? I had wanted to visit a friend. It was also the last time I went out of our estate. Until now.
When we arrived at the town’s inn, Robin opened the door to my carriage and helped me out of the vehicle. I was about to thank him when someone interrupted me.
“Bea?” A man’s voice put my knights on alert, turning to the source before they visibly relaxed, but kept their hands on their weapons regardless. My eyes followed their gaze, and I guessed right — this was the right town in my memory.
My childhood friend, Elias, stood in the distance.
Chapter Three
I didn’t recognize his voice, but I knew that face well. Puberty had done him good; Elias used to be a scrawny kid, gentle-looking, with his red hair long and flowy behind him. He used to be mistaken for a girl because of it, and his mother perpetuated it.
Now, though, he stood tall, muscles filled in; his once soft face was now hard planes, but the gentleness in his golden eyes was still there. His red hair was cut short, framing his face.
“Eli,” I greeted back, waving at him. Mia glanced at me with concern, as she had every right to, since she knew my last meeting with Elias coincided with the last time I wanted to travel outside of our barony.
She didn’t know why, though. I had never told anyone.
And I held back, letting this play out before I made any move.
“I knew it,” he breathed, stepping closer to our group. “I recognized the insignia on the carriage immediately. And the magic school’s first term of the year is starting soon. You’re on the way to Aerahelm, aren’t you?”
“Lord Elias,” Reuben bowed along with Robin and Mia. “Good evening. Miss Bea is about to retire for the night.”
I glanced at Reuben, narrowing my eyes. Although the clear dismissal and dominance he showed was appealing, I could speak for myself. Not that I knew exactly what to say, but still.
“My apologies,” Elias replied, but kept his eyes on me. “I can return by morning. I want to discuss something with you, Bea.”
“Better show up at dawn, my lord,” Robin cheekily answered him, before Reuben moved closer to me, as if to shield me from Eli.
While this was entertaining, I had had enough of the posturing. I appreciated the bravado of my two knights, though. They were talking to the second son of Viscount Drakon, the noble who oversaw this town and the next. He ranked higher than me, and they were very close to outright disrespecting the guy.
I placed a hand on each of my twin knights, grabbing their arms, and they both froze at my suddenness. Eli’s eyes zeroed in on my hands before I squeezed them a little and let go, stepping forward in front of my group. “We’ll have the conversation now, Eli. Is it alright if we do it inside the inn? I’m a little exhausted from the trip.”
Both Robin and Reuben turned their heads at me at the same time. “Miss Bea.”
“It’s fine. I want to hear what Eli has to say,” I smiled.
Whatever happened in the past, it wasn’t Eli’s fault, anyway. It was mine.
We made ourselves comfortable at one of the inn’s tables, complete with ale. I always wanted to know what it tasted like, so I ignored the warnings by my knights and Mia and ordered one for myself. I hadn’t tried it yet, but the mug sat snugly between my hands.
“Eat some meat before drinking it, please,” Mia advised, already giving up on stopping me from drinking at all. I smiled ather in appreciation before turning my attention to Elias, who sat across from me.
“What did you want to talk about?” I asked. My knights, who stood behind me, tensed in alertness.
Eli took a sip of his ale before responding. “I’m requesting to join your entourage to Aerahelm.”
The clicking of my bodyguards’ weapons sounding next to my ears was a clear sign of their tension. I ignored it. “Oh, we’re both first years.”
He nodded as Reuben scoffed. “Viscount Drakon didn’t have any spare men to send you himself, my lord?”
I turned my head and glared at Reuben, who frowned back at me before looking away.
Thankfully, Elias didn’t take any offense and even took it as a joke as he chuckled. “My father has plenty to spare; that much is true. He just didn’t think it’s worth spending.” His eyes bore through me, as if he was trying to communicatesomethingand begging me for understanding.
