November 10th, Year 100, 9th Era
Toftlund City, Salt Province
Avina steps out of Thrain’s study.
A haunted expression lingers on her features. Even as he considers her wide-eyed expression, he realizes this may be the first time she took a life.
Sigvid pulls her into his chest and kisses her forehead. “Are you well, Avina? Is this your first kill?”
She lays her hands against his chest but does not reciprocate the embrace.
“Yes.”
Her hand reaches up from her side to clutch at the Sacred Stone beneath her gown.“Is it normal not to feel guilty?”
“For me, it always depends on the who. Someone like Ives,” he shakes his head, “I would not give him a second thought.” Sigvid tangles his fingers through her curls, tugging her soft hair under his nose to inhale the floral bouquet.
She sinks into his chest, accepting his embrace, and a faint reaction shudders over the warrior prince.
My Avina is as sweet as she is deadly. In my arms, no soul will touch or harm what is mine.
She remains pensive and thoughtful as he guides her from Thrain’s home to the carriage. She clears her throat to speak only when the wheels clatter across the cobblestone.
“Sigvid, have you ever been engaged? At any point in your life?”
Where did that come from?
“No. Never.”For a slew of reasons. “Why ask this?”
“Are you sure your father never created an arrangement with someone else on your behalf while you were young?” She leans forward in her seat, hands on her knees.
Why are you looking at me like that? Do you know something I do not?
“My father? Not to my knowledge. Please ask what you want to ask.”
She withdraws, her hands fold in her lap, and her gaze focuses out the window. A quiet sadness settles over her soft features. “I found a ring in Thrain’s office.”
Thrain spends more time exchanging bedfellows to settle with anyone.
Moonlight shines through the window, illuminating her strange expression. Her nose scrunches and her gaze is unfocused, lost in thought.
“There was no indication if he planned to promise it to someone. However,” Avina withdraws a crumpled piece of parchment and hands it to him. “This accompanied the ugly ring.”
“‘We have him. It’s your decision?’”
What does that have to do with the ring? None of this makes sense.
“Where exactly did you find these?”
“Inside a drawer of his desk.” Although she shrugs, he senses her guilt.
“Was there anything else worth taking?” Sigvid watches her look away as she shrugs.
She is lying.
After watching her kill a man and then rifle through his brother’s home, he decides to give her a pass on some light dishonesty.
“Do not feel bad about taking this. I know that shithead hides so many things that he deserves to have something stolen.”
