“Yes. With Razik. Not me.”
She took a step towards him, her eyes narrowing. “To be sure I am understanding correctly: you are upset I am not seen enough with you when you don’t even spend your nights here? Or any of your days? I cannot do much convincing when my husband is a phantom, Cethin.”
His gaze flicked to Razik, who was leaning along the doorjamb with his arms crossed and a small smirk on his lips. The male only arched a brow at Cethin’s attention. He hated that they were having this discussion in front of him.
“Your presence is not needed,” he snapped at the male.
“I’m her guard, not yours,” Razik replied apathetically.
“There is nothing to guard her from right now.”
“There is if you’re going to Aimonway.”
“For the love of—” He stopped, grinding his teeth before returning his focus to Kailia. “That’s a fair statement, and something I would like to discuss more with you. Perhaps somewhere in the city? If you’re willing?”
“My willingness has not been taken into account in any of this. I don’t know why you’d start now,” she replied simply as she turned on her heel and went back inside.
Cethin held in a sigh, dragging a hand down his face before swiping up the teacup and following her. He changed into slightly more casual attire, and moments later they Traveled to the city center. If Razik was going to be with them, there was no need for additional guards, and Cethin knew there was no way Razik was staying behind. He should be grateful the male was taking his role so seriously, but considering who it was, it only irritated him more.
It took less than a minute before the whispers and stares began as people noticed them standing in the middle of the city. Letting his magic go first, his hand followed, dropping to the small of Kailia’s back. She was naturally still, but she tensed for the briefest of moments before stepping closer to him.
“Start small,” he murmured. “And breathe, tiny fiend.”
She nodded, taking in a shaky inhale.
“Let’s go somewhere and get a drink,” Razik said, his voice low. “Everyone can relax some, but the two of you can still be seen together.”
Cethin nodded. “Astra?”
Razik’s answering look was incredulous. “No. We’re not taking her to Astra right now.”
“It’s not like we can just go sit down in a tavern,” he bit back.
Razik stared at him, but it was Kailia who said, “A tavern would be nice.”
Cethin pulled at the back of his neck. The king and queen in a godsdamn tavern. Fucking Fates.
Pushing out a long breath, he said, “I suppose we could go to The Dark Star. Are you okay with walking? It’s not terribly far.”
She nodded, and the three of them set off, stepping into the tavern some twenty minutes later. It wasn’t as dark and unkempt as some places, but it was still a tavern. Dimly lit, at least the floor wasn’t sticky with spilled ale and other liquids as they were immediately led to a private space upstairs.
The room overlooked the main floor below, and their stools had backs at their high-top table, unlike those below.
“This is a fancy tavern,” Kailia said, leaning over him to peer down below.
Until her shoulder pressed into his arm, and she went still. Locks of her black hair brushed along the back of his hand.
Gently winding those strands around his finger, he said, “It is one of the…more proper establishments of its kind.”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand how sitting up here is going to convince anyone of anything. They can’t even see us.”
“She has a point,” Razik muttered. “It also takes twice as long to get our ale.”
“At least they have more than ale,” she said, sitting back in her chair and resting her chin in her hand. “Do you suppose they have card games here?”
“No, Lia,” Razik said, immediately accompanied by a pointed look.
Not understanding the exchange, Cethin asked, “Do you play cards, Kailia?”
