☆☆☆☆☆☆☆♡☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Ray did not move.
The noise of the tavern dulled, as though the world had learned to live without her attention.
Voices blurred into another, distant and unimportant.
Lucian's arms were wrapped around another woman.
Not in a way that could be misunderstood, nor accidental. He had caught her before she hit the ground. One arm firm around her waist, while the other steadied her shoulders.
In a protective manner.
Golden hair spilled over his sleeves, pale strands catching the tavern's dim light. Her hood had fallen completely, revealing a skin too porcelain for a place like this. Eyes, a light and unnatural green as they stared up at him in shock.
So that is her.
Ray's chest tightened. But she couldn't even tell why. It wasn't pain.
Not really.
More like something had shifted out of place. Something so fragile, she didn't know existed until it cracked.
Lucian froze.
His fingers tightened for a brief second. Before he loosened his hold, as his gaze drifted past the crowd, the chaos, and locked onto Celestine.
The tavern roared back to life. Shouts erupted, fist slammed against the tables. As someone else cursed the guards, the palace and the king himself.
Ray barely heard any of it.
But Lucian had seen her, as well as the event about to unfold within a second.
Shock flickered across his face as he
stretched his arm towards her direction. Why was he coming here? Why is he staring at me like that?
The realization struck too late, as someone shoved her from behind. Ray stumbled forward, her feet catching an uneven floorboard before falling to the ground, hard.
The impact knocked the air from her lungs.
As gasps ripped through the crowd nearby.
"My lady!" Gaia's voice cut through the noise as she and Teo rushed forward.
Ray pushed herself up with her trembling hands. Her hood had fully fallen now. Her face exposed beneath the dimly lit tavern.
All eyes fell on her, as instantly she realized. The scrutiny in their gazes, that read—you don't belong here.
"My lady, I think we should leave." Gaia said, struggling to put Ray's hood back on. "Now." and quickly helping alongside Teo, in lifting her up from the floor.
The bald man with the scar stepped forward. His huge frame towering over them. His eyes narrowed, sharp and suspicious. "Who are you?" He demanded. "You don't look like one of us."
Teo moved forward, positioning himself ahead of them. A calm grin across his face.
"Distant relatives. From out of town," he said smoothly. "But we were just leaving."
Then gave Ray a gentle push toward the exit. "The streets aren't safe at night."
"Not so fast."
A scrawny man stepped into their path. His gaze lingered on Ray before it drifted toward Gaia. She quickly tugged Ray's hood Lower.
"Please," Gaia said, tightening her grip on Ray's hand. "Let us pass."
The man's eyes widened in realization. "….I know you."
Ray swallowed. As Gaia stiffened beside her. His fingers jabbed into her shoulders. "You work for a noble don't you?"
Murmur rippled through the crowd. a novel's servant," someone scoffed. "Here?" Another person snapped.
The bald man drew closer. His expression, dark. "They must be spies."
"Spies," someone repeated, as the crowd spiralled into endless whispers.
"I say we teach them a lesson," the scrawny man concluded. Before any one could move, Ray grabbed onto his wrist, still holding onto Gaia's shoulder.
"We are not spies," she said quickly. Her voice, cold but sharp. "We only came here to help"
"Listen to them," Teo added, "they are telling the truth."
The bald man took measured steps closer, then shoved Teo hard with a slap. Sending him crashing to the floor.
"Siding with them, I see," he sneered. "How much did they pay you to betray us?"
The tavern suddenly erupted. Loud cheers, someone laughed, someone spat.
Ray's heart slammed against her ribs. What is going to happen now?
A hand grabbed onto her sleeve, while another reached for Gaia.
Then…
"Let go."
The word cut through the chaos like a blade. The crowd instantly went silent, parting as someone stepped forward.
The bald man turned to see who had spoken. Ray and Gaia's gaze widened in shock.
At the entrance of the tavern stood a tall figure. Lucian's gaze drifted past the room, lingering briefly on Celestine, then dropped to the hand tightly gripping on her sleeves.
His expression darkened.
Ray's chest tightened. She had written that look before, but never like this. Never with this much intensity, sharp enough to make the air around tense.
It was a warning. One which made the knot in her stomach tighten.
Anger? Yes, but was it the situation? At the audacity? Or at her being here at all?
The bald man froze, his eyes narrowed. "And who might you be?" He asked, his grip on Ray's sleeve unwavering.
Lucian clenched his fist at his side. "I think you didn't hear me clearly," he said, his tone cold and deadly. "So just for your own sake, I will repeat myself." He took a slow step forward. The space between them charged.
"Let. Go."
The crowd held their breaths.
The bald man flinched. Even he could feel it. The overwhelming presence he possessed. The intensity that pressed against his chest like a physical force.
Fear flickered across his eyes briefly. Then tried to mask it with defiance. Then his gaze landed on the small crest on the side of Lucian's sword. A dragon, glinting faintly in the dim light.
"You…you are the Northern Duke?" He whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
Shock rippled through the crowd. "The duke is here? One murmured. "He knows about our plan… what do we do?"
The bald man's jaw tightened. For a second, he considered ganging up on Lucian. But he knew, even with everyone, that was a death sentence.
His fist unclenched slowly, as he bit his lips in frustration. Fear bleeding out his mask of bravado.
He slowly glanced towards the lady beside him, then back to Lucian. "Then… perhaps… you should tell us why she matters to you," he said, his voice low trying to regain some level of control.
Realization spread among the onlookers. No one dared to step forward. The duke didn't need a sword to make them fear him. His presence spoke for himself.
Lucian's lips curved into a faint smile. "You really think this little display will intimidate me?" He said quietly. His eyes scanning the faces across, sharp and unyielding. "Let's watch and see."
Aziah drew closer as he glanced around, whispering to Lucian. " I don't think this is the best approach." but his words fell into deft ears.
Ray's heart quickened, she knew if Lucian was to attack, these people could get hurt.
All she wanted to do was help, but it seemed matters had gone past her capability.
For a brief moment, Aziah gaze remained on Lucian, then a faint smile appeared on his lip.
"Very well," he said, with a quick nod.
They both shifted, preparing to act, the air vibrating with the promise of motion.
Then a firm, clear voice cut through the tension.
"Enough! Everyone, please stop!"
Ray's head snapped toward the sound.
It was Aleena. She stepped forward, her presence commanding, as the crowd instinctively parted before her.
She raised her hand. Her gaze swept across the room. "Please, people, do not be afraid," she said, her voice calm and steady. "They are not spies."
Lucian tilted his head sideways.
"They came here to investigate the disappearances."
Ray's gaze remained on her, she looked soft, fragile. Delicate. Putting herself in positions to help those in need.
But how did she know about the reason I was here?