Love is a Noose {NightlordKrusnik x Carantathraiel}

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris stopped when he heard a scuffle behind him. He retraced his steps, wondering what could have made the noise and looked around the corner of the hallway. His blood nearly boiled, Kasca had pinned Aera against the wall. Taris slid into a nearby shadow and emerged on the other side of the hall just in time to see Aera put him into the floor. The assassin smiled to himself. The girl’s still got some moves, he thought. She picked up her dropped glove and continued on her way.

Kasca stood a little shakily and glared after the Moon Elf. He took a couple steps after her, reaching for something at his belt. Time to teach the bitch elf a lesson.

“What have we here?”

Kasca and Aera turned at the voice, to see Taris leaning against a wall, lazily rolling a small dagger over his knuckles. The Shadow Elf smiled a slow smile and looked up at Kasca. “I wonder how the Prince would feel, if he knew his best friend was forcing himself on his wife? Seems to me the good Prince Kentaro has had a bit of a temper lately, especially when he’s had a few drinks. Doesn’t seem like a good idea to me, you know?” He walked up to Kasca, “Let me give you a hand here…” The elf grabbed the man’s left arm and wrenched the arm back into its socket. “There you are, milord.”

Kasca grabbed his tunic and yanked him close, popping a few toggles on it. But the man seemed to think better of his actions, and released Taris, before storming away. Aera barely glanced at the man as he passed, keeping her eyes on Taris. The Shadow Elf waited until Kasca’s footsteps had disappeared before stepping up beside her. His red eyes stared off but he kept his smile, “Very nice takedown, Your Highness.” The smile died, “I don’t know why you stay here. This place is horrible for our kind.”

Aera’s lips thinned, “I have a duty to my husband. He’s just been…” She stopped, and the look on her face should have been warning enough. But Taris continued on.

“Why are you trying to save something that died long ago?”

Aera let out a small hiss and pushed at him, her purple eyes hot with rage. Her bare hand touched his exposed chest, and the assassin’s world exploded in pain. He stumbled back and collapsed against the wall, blinking through the pain. Slowly a burn in the shape of her hand came into focus on his chest.

[Carantathraiel]

Aera eyes widened in shock as she realized what she'd done, holding her hand out before her. Her skin tingled and itched. She pulled her hand to her stomach and looked at Taris in horror. "Taris, I-" Her lips moved but no words came out. Her violet eyes landed on the burn that boiled on his black skin just below his collarbone, small trails of steam coming from it. It looked so painful. The agony etched across the Shadow Elf's face told her it was.

In hurried movement, she pulled her glove back on and crouched, moving close to him. Taris put up an arm as if trying to protect himself, but it was more of an instinct reaction than true defense. His face showed pain, but not that he wanted to get away. Aera's eyes were watering in her sorrow. "Taris, please forgive me. I forgot I wasn't wearing.... I'm so sorry." With one hand on his knee she leaned over him, peering at the wound. To be honest, she was shocked she hadn't hurt him worse.
"Walk with me." She helped him stand, knowing that his blood felt like it was boiling and his muscles would feel heavy.

Back in her chambers, she sat him on the stool from earlier that still sat in the center of the room. Bringing over some linen and another small jar so who knows what, she knelt before him. The little jar was so small it fit in the palm of her hand, and when she lifted the lid Taris threw his head back, the smell of whatever was inside pungent.

Aera gave him a small smile. "Another gift from Envy. He knew I would make a mistake eventually."
She put a little on his skin beside the burn and told him to brace himself. Taris gripped the edge of the stool and hissed, but otherwise held still as she rubbed the paste across. It was a fleshy pink color and thick as butter, and, Taris inhaled deeply, smelled like a combination of burning flesh and rotten fruit.
"What's in this?" He asked.
Aera looked up at him as she put the jar down and picked up the linen. "I can't answer that. Envy told me not to ask when he gave it to me, and I've never questioned him."
She pulled off her gloves and sighed. This was not a good day for her clothing. Carefully, she lifted the linen and pressed it against the paste, feeling his warm skin with her finger tips. Her heart quickened. His warm breath tickled her cheek and she looked up to see his red eyes watching her, the purple flecks mesmerizing.

With control she tilted her head up and met his lips with her own. His lips were strong and warm, his skin smelled faintly of mint. Under her hands she could feel his pulse quicken.

After a long moment, she pulled away, her eyes dark with clouded thoughts. "Thank you. For helping with Kasca. I appreciate it." The one side of her mouth went up in a teasing grin. "But I really didn't need it."

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris watched her face as Aera smeared the pungent stuff on the burn and pressed the linen to it. She was so close, he could smell her skin and was intoxicated immediately. Her eyes met his and he could practically feel his iris’ dilate as he fell into those purple pools. Aera tilted her head back and pressed her lips against his. Her lips were so soft… his blood rushed in his ears with his quickening pulse. Too soon, it seemed, she pulled back. Taris could barely contain the hunger in his eyes as he controlled himself.

She thanked him for his help with Kasca, adding with a wicked grin that she didn’t need it. Taris chuckled, “I’m sure you didn’t. I just couldn’t resist helping him with that shoulder.” They both laughed, but Taris died off quicker. He hesitated, and stroked a loose strand of hair out of her face, “I guess I should savor that kiss, shouldn’t I?” He sighed, “I am sorry, Aera, for what I said. It was not my place to say.” Taris smiled ruefully and stood, walking to the window and staring out. “I hate coming to this city,” he muttered.

He turned back around and looked back at her, admiring everything about her. His heart thudded and Taris had the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her again. A frown flitted briefly across his face. “Banquet will be starting soon, we should get down there. Kasca or not, people will start talking if a Princess and one of the Tournament champions are both missing for the awards ceremony. Especially if both are filthy elves,” he finished with scorn. From the look that settled her face, the prospect was equally distasteful to her.

He offered his arm, and she took it with a small smile. He had a sudden thought as the made their way down to the grounds. “You’ve mentioned this Envy twice now. Is he a friend of yours?” he asked her.

[Carantathraiel]

Her mind went back and forth at his apology. No, it wasn't his place. He had no idea who she was or how she had wound up where she was. But, at the same time, he was right. She was losing Kentaro. One could argue that she'd lost him already, but she was too stubborn to let go, the fraying fabric of her marriage tearing in her fingers.

This city was hard for them. Elves. Through no fault of their own, though. They were innocent victims. Her cousins, the Kartaians, were the ones at fault. Since the humans had built the city and started to grow in power, the Kartaians would travel from wherever their lair was and ransack the city, killing, raping and kidnapping. By association, all elves were hated.

Keeping her thoughts to herself, she took his arm and followed him down the hall, pausing for a moment to grab a fourth pair of dinner gloves off her dresser, holding them as they walked.

“You’ve mentioned this Envy twice now. Is he a friend of yours?” Taris asked curiously.

Aera smiled. "A beloved friend. Almost eight years ago I woke up in this underground chamber. I was beaten to high hell. My skin was red from running in the sun, I was half blind with fever. He stepped out of the shadows. This, monster elf, who I had been raised all my life to fear. But he was nothing like the rest of them. He smiled, sat beside me, gave me medicine and fixed me again." Aera began to pull her gloves on. These ones were a sky blue color and stood out against her yellow dress. "He wanders the streets and finds orphans and abandoned children and gives them a home and teaches them the skills they need to survive. Mostly, he teaches them to steal back from the richer citizens who have enough to spare. The tunnels are called the Thieves Den." She turned and grinned at Taris. "But you know that, don't you, Mycah?"

[NightlordKrusnik]

“But you know that, don’t you, Mycah?”

Taris stopped in his tracks and looked at her. “So you do remember me from back then. I had wondered, to be honest.” He chuckled and began walking once more, “And you’ve kept it secret from everybody? How interesting you are.” His face became serious after a moment, likely the most serious she had seen him, “Don’t call me Mycah, though, not anymore. That person is dead, and needs to stay that way, for both our sakes. You know how the underworld works.

“I may be the only Shadow Elf of my clan left in this region, my brothers and sisters you might have seen back then are all dead. If certain people knew that I was Mycah, there would be trouble. And if my master found out that you remember me, he’d demand your life.” Aera, who had been nodding in understanding, paused at this, and Taris continued, “Exactly. Like I said, both our sakes.”

Aera looked forward again, “So, why are you here now, Taris? You have a job, don’t you?”

Taris nodded keeping his eyes ahead and carefully neutral, “I do, several in fact. It’s a big job, and I may need access to the castle for it. Hence, why I sought you out.” A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth, “Well, I can’t say it’s the ONLY reason I sought you…” She pushed at him a little and they both had a small laugh.

They crossed out of the castle into the fading light of the evening when a thought crossed his mind, “If you do need someone to talk to, for any reason, I’m available to you, Aera. I have a couple months before the job needs to be finished, I can take my time. People like me have contacts, not friends, it is nice to have someone to just talk to.”

Aera looked at him for a moment, “Thank you, Taris, I’ll keep that in mind.”

They arrived at the tourney grounds, and Taris excused himself from the Princess, heading towards the area where a stand was being erected in the field. The ceremony was short, and the cheer from the elves in their section was so loud it drowned out the jeers from the rest of the crowd, making Taris smile. The banquet passed without incident, a stark contrast to the rest of the day. Being a champion afforded Taris the honor of a seat at the High Table, where he mostly talked with Aera and dodged thinly-veiled jabs from Risa.

That night, in his room at the inn, he made his report to his master. “Everything is proceeding well,” he spoke to the man in the mirror. At least, as far as you need to know.

His master merely stared at him, “There is a small change in plan, Taris. I’ve received information about one of your targets, Duke Bronson. He is leaving his estate in three days, you must kill him before then. Do not fail Taris.” And with that he was gone, leaving the elf alone. Arrogant old man…

[Carantathraiel]

Aera held her hands to her chest, her face pulled in one of disgust, her stomach in knots. "That's awful."

"Hm." Kentaro said, sitting next to where she stood, bent over his feet as he fastened them into his boots. They were in his chamber, he'd sent word and had her brought in when the sun was barely over the horizon. Kentaro sat on the bench at the foot of his bed. Earlier that morning, Kentaro's cousin on his mother's side, Bronson, the Duke of Westburrow, was found slaughtered in his carriage. His body was so bloody that the guards who located the carriage were only able to identify him from the ring he wore on his finger. The ring, which meant it wasn't a robbery.

"Our Father..." Aera breathed out, feeling like she might be sick. Taris must have had something to do with it. But why? Why Bronson? Such a harmless man, there was no way he'd made enemies out of the kind of people to call a hit on him.

"Hey," Her husband stood and she looked at him. He misread her horror at Taris' hand in the business and mistook it for shock for the dead. He put his hands at her elbows and pulled her close, pressing his forehead against hers to look into her eyes. "Don't worry. It was just a horrible misfortune on his part. Wrong place, wrong time."

Wrong enemies. Aera thought.

The wine had left his system sometime in the night, the news of his cousin clearing his head for the morning. She stared into his silvery grey eyes, so serious and steady. She'd fallen in love with those eyes. Looking at her now was the man she'd married, the man she'd left behind her world for. Noticing the look in her eyes, Kentaro kissed her hard and passionately, wrapping his arms around her. "I have to go." He whispered against her soft lips. Objection was written on her face when he stepped back. She's still mine. He thought. The prince gave her a smile. "I will come to you tonight, when I've come back from visiting my aunt."

Alone, Aera touched her lips with two fingers, knowing he wouldn't come to her chambers tonight. She'd heard him say that too many times to bother getting her hopes up now. A small part of her, even, hoped he wouldn't visit. I couldn't handle it.

Leaving her husband's chambers she went downstairs to request something to break her fast and help with her stomach. She still felt like she'd be sick. A bread bowl soaked in potato broth was put in front of her and she ate slowly as her mind went over Bronson and Taris.
Why would Taris go after Bronson? The elf rolled her eyes. Because he was told to. But why?
And who would be next? Aera pushed her bowl away. Taris had admitted he'd be here for a few months, to take care of a few jobs. Who was next? Holding herself steady with her arms flat on the table, the room spun. Who would be next?
Suddenly unable to fight the desire to hide, she stood and went out the dining hall door, wanting to get to the privacy of her own chambers. Who else would people want dead, beside the elven whore everyone despised? Had Taris really come to kill her? Oh, Gods, she felt weak. I kissed him! I'm probably a game... he seduces the women he's set out to kill...

Her knees gave out and she fell against the wall in a faint.

The sound of voices woke her up. In and out, she dreamed she could see Alais standing before her, her dark face smiling, framed with her untamable dark hair. Behind Alais stood Ruli, his soft wheat hair hanging over his shoulders, his tan skin covered in the blood from his broken nose. I did that to you, her mind said. Alais crouched before her and said her name, her dark blue eyes full of concern. How are you here? Aera thought, her eyes went to Ruli. You left me. So angry... And you. She glanced at Alais. You died.
"She's pregnant."
Yes. Aera thought, still staring at her friend. You died giving birth. The baby took your life.

Behind her, Ruli opened his mouth, but it was Kentaro's voice that came out. "Aera, my sweetling." Confused, Aera blinked, opening her eyes to find Ruli and Alais gone and Kentaro standing over her. He smiled when she opened her eyes. "Thank the Gods." He bent and kissed her cheek, sitting beside her on the bed.
"What?" She asked, still confused. They were in her chambers, surrounding her where she lay in her bed, a wet clothe draped over her forehead. Kentaro sat beside her, a physician and the palace alchemist near her head, and Risa near her feet. They were all happy, which made Aera uneasy. "What's wrong?"
"They say you're with child!" Kentaro smiled at her. "No, Love, stay in bed, don't get up. The baby made you pass out and you bumped your head." Aera lay back down, resting her head on the pillow.
Fool. She thought to herself, staring at her husband. I couldn't be carrying a baby, you haven't slept with me in months. Please don't make me admit that in front of everyone.
Kentaro stood, lifting her hand to his lips. "Sleep, my darling. Rest, and regain your strength. Come, lets all let her rest in peace."

With them gone, Aera rolled over and faced the wall, hugging her pillow to her body, tears in her eyes. It would be all over the city in a few hours, that she was carrying the Prince's child. When they found out she really wasn't, they'd hate her even more. The physician had to know the truth. He was doing this to her, destroying her. The elf curled into a ball and cried on her pillow, the lump on her head pounding in pain with each fast heartbeat.

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris stared back into the mirror, his face an ebon mask, as his master’s face faded from view. It couldn’t be. Aera was pregnant? They’d spent a little bit of time together each day so far, and she hadn’t said anything about being pregnant. The news had flashed through the city within hours, and had reached the outlying estates. Now the client had just changed the contract. If Aera was pregnant with Kentaro’s child, she was no longer a secondary target. Taris let his mask fall, and a scowl set into place. He needed to see her.

A quick trip through the shadows and he was inside the castle, just down the hall from her door. He was glad nobody was around, as he was sure something close to murder showed on his face. The elf stopped at her door, schooling his face back into its mask. He was here for answers, and storming into her room in fury would not get them. Instead he knocked and waited a few moments before opening the door and letting himself in, despite her not answering. She was sitting on her bed, facing the window, and away from the door. “Taris,” she said without turning, “nobody else can walk so silently around here.”

He walked around the bed and stared out the window for a moment, composing his thoughts. “Did you kill the Duke?” she asked him. Taris turned and looked at her face. Aera stared stonily back at him, her face calm except for the tears that managed to leak out from behind her eyes. He nodded slowly. “Why?” she asked.

“It’s my job, one that I do very well,” he answered simply. Aera shook her head, spotting a glint of metal between his fingers, “And are you here to kill me now?” She tilted her head back in defiance, and another tear spilled down her face. Taris watched her for a moment before he answered, “The client wants me to. If you are pregnant…” He stopped. Why was he so angry? “I’m… going to go…” he said lamely, and walked to the door. “Going to kill someone else?” she asked.

The Shadow Elf paused just a moment in the doorway, "Yes."

He shut the door behind him, and ducked into the nearest shadow, searching for Paytin. She was close, sitting in the next room waiting for Aera to call, if she needed assistance. In only a moment the assassin stepped out of shadow, surprising the girl, and slammed his dagger against the wall next to her face. His mask crumbled and his fury showed naked on his face. “What in the hells is going on?” he asked through clenched teeth.

Paytin tried to bring up her hands and push him back, but he just grabbed her wrists and pinned them against the wall. She cried out a little in pain, but his grip stayed firm. “I’m… nnng… I’m not sure. She collapsed this morning, you’re hurting me.” Taris finally let go, though he was still uncomfortably close. “I don’t think she is pregnant, she hasn’t had Kentaro in her bed in months, let alone anybody else. I don’t know why the royal physician would lie about it. Please, Taris, I’ve kept my ears open for anything. Your best bet would be to ask the physician, but he’s been called away by one of Her Majesty’s cousins.”

Taris stepped back, pulling his dagger from the wall. “Yes, ask him. Thank you Paytin.” Just like that he was gone once more, Shadow Walking into the physician’s dark office. The assassin settled into a high-backed chair behind the man’s work desk, and waited for the man to return.

[Carantathraiel]

When Taris left, Aera pulled her knees up and rested her head against them, fighting tears. Taris had admitted that he'd kill her. Or at least that he was told to. She was sure he'd do it.

"I wont be a game." Aera said with a determined voice. Scribbling a quick note about visiting a trusted doctor, she got up and went to the far corner of her room, where a large tapestry of a forest scene hung on the wall. She pushed it aside and unlatched a hidden lock, disappearing behind the false wall.

There was more than one reason why Aera had specifically requested her bedroom. Not only did the window overlook the city but there was a secret passage that led to one of the houses Envy owned. It would connect to another passage and lead her to the tunnels in which she'd lived.
A while later, she stood in the shadows, her purple eyes on one of the small orphan boys. It had been so long, but she remembered him. His name was Roeb. He had a twin brother, Maks, who was sitting some feet away playing with a wooden sword. They were about six.
"Aera!" The elf turned at the sound of Envy's shocked voice. He stood there, dressed in soft green robes, his hair braided and stubby, showing his maimed ear. His face was sad. "I was just coming to fetch you. Oh, our Father, come here." Biting back tears, she went into his embrace, laying her head against his neck. "I know what you need."
He took her hand and pulled her into the large dome chamber they used as a practice room. He picked up a bow and pressed it into her grasp. "Work."

"Envy, I-"
He held up a blue-grey finger. "Work."

Aera sighed and gathered a quiver and took her position, aiming the to straw dummy on the far end of the chamber. She held, her arms tense, waiting. "Relax." Envy commanded. With another sigh, her arms listened. "What did Roeb eat?"
Aera pictured the child in her mind. "Goat cheese. It was in his teeth."
"Shoot." Aera shot and reset. "Which one is left handed?"
"Maks."
"Shoot. How am I?"
Aera thought. "Your arm bothers you. You're moving awkwardly, so you're sore. The crease above your eyebrow is back, so you're distressed. Your eyes are wide, so you're trying to be more aware, something is frightening you."
"Shoot." Envy commanded, after a moment. "And?"
Aera aimed for the dummy once more. "You want to once again remind me how I should have stayed here."
"Aera.."
The pale elf released the arrow and glared at him. "Don't deny it, Envy." With a desperate gesture, she threw her bow down. "And you're right! I should have stayed! I had to fall for that bastard and his silver words, and now they all want me dead!" Tears ran down her face again, and she felt everyone staring at her, caution on their faces. "I am just a stupid girl who got thrown into the wrong city." They stared at one another, both their faces stern.
"How many children are here." He asked, his voice steady. Aera opened her mouth and argued that she was done playing and he repeated the question, louder.
Angry, Aera picked up her bow and aimed again. "Eleven." She growled as she shot.

"How many were here when you left."
Wiping a tear away, she aimed. "Eight."

Envy grabbed her hand and turned her toward him, his face soft. "Life goes on. It keeps moving. If you don't want your life to be where it is, move it." He cupped her face. "You owe these people nothing. You've never done anything to wrong them. The only person you owe anything to is me." He cracked a smile, his white teeth sharp.

Despite her fear, she smiled at him. "What do I owe you?" She asked, knowing he's reply with something cheeky. But he shocked her, turning her to face the dummy.
"You haven't practice in almost a year. You owe me at least fifty marks, dead center, with excellent form."

She laughed and lifted her bow again.

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris smiled when the door clicked open an hour after he’d sat to wait, admitting a small man of middle age. He seemed to stumble around for a moment, disoriented by the dark of the room. The physician made his way to a nearby table, and reached for a lamp held there. Taris stood silently and swiftly, moving towards the man. The physician turned around, and only managed a gasp before Taris clamped a hand over his mouth, blew out the lamp and dragged the man into the shadows with him.

Sometime later Taris stepped out of Shadow into the thieves’ tunnels, dragging the physician by the back of his jacket. The man had no obvious wounds, but the skin around his eyes was sunken and grey, and his hands were trembling uncontrollably. The Shadow Elf’s face was grim and he made his way down the tunnel towards the sound of a bow being shot and a woman’s steady but labored breathing. A couple of children turned in surprise at the sound of a man being dragged into their midst, including the young girl who’d brought Taris water at the tourney.

Ahead, in a domed chamber, Aera stood with a bow nocked and drawn. At the sight of Taris, the slight smile on her lips vanished and she loosed the arrow at him. Expecting as much, the assassin waved a hand in front of him and a patch of solid, cloudy darkness appeared before him, devouring the arrow. The tall elf, Envy moved between the two of them, a stern look on his face. “I don’t think you are welcome here, Shadow Elf, please leave,” he told Taris, but Aera put a hand on his shoulder. She stepped around and looked daggers at the assassin.

Taris held up a hand. “I’m not here to talk, he is,” he said, throwing the barely conscious man to the ground in between them. “This is the esteemed Royal Physician, and I have just finished having a discussion with him, the details of which I think you’ll want to hear.” Twin claw-shaped daggers flicked into his hands from seemingly nowhere. “Go on,” he said in a voice like death, “tell her.”

The small man whimpered and looked up at the daggers, to the red eyes nearly glowing in rage, and finally to Aera. “It… i-i-it’s all a lie. You are not with child, you haven’t quickened. T-t-t-the Queen, and Princess Risa, they ordered me to say that you were pregnant when you fell ill, to disgrace you when it came out you weren’t. Please, Your Highness, they forced me to say…” The man cut off as Taris hauled him to his feet, and began to sob.

Taris turned away, carefully avoiding meeting Aera’s eyes. “Now you’ll go admit this to Kentaro as well, and you may yet come away with your life,” he said with sweet venom. Taris almost turned to look back at Aera, but couldn’t bring himself to face what may be in her eyes. Instead he sliced a patch of shadow open and vanished with his captive, the darkness closing behind him.

In moments the physician was thrust out into the halls of the castle. He made his way to the Prince’s room, jumping at every shadow, knowing what lurked within. The man knocked on the door to the Prince’s room, and gaining permission, entered. Kentaro looked very happy and clasped the physician’s arm. “Ah doctor, welcome, it’s such a fine day. Can you believe it? Finally I’ll have an heir!”

The small man wrung his hands nervously, “Actually, Your Highness, I needed to tell you something. The Princess is not having a child. Your mother had me say that, for her own reasons, I’m sure. But I’m sorry, she is not pregnant. Forgive me Prince.” He backed out and closed the door, hearing something crash against it moments later. At least the elf had said he’d let him live. The royal physician returned to his office, still glancing fearfully at every shadow he passed. He opened the door and again felt a powerful hand clamp over his mouth, and could only stare at the rope hanging from the chandelier in the center of the room. Despite his struggles, the elf far outmatched his strength, and had the noose around his neck in seconds. “You told me you’d let me LIVE!” he cried.

The assassin tugged the other end of the rope tight, constricting his throat. “I said I may let you live,” his voice chilled the man’s blood in his veins, “But I find I’m not a forgiving elf.” Taris hauled the rope down, lifting the other man into the air. He watched coldly, with a small satisfied smile, as the man thrashed in the air, hastening his own death. Slowly his legs stopped kicking, and Taris tied the rope to a desk, knocking a stool over beneath the man. He waited for a while in Shadow, until he heard the maid scream. Smiling to himself he made his way back home.

[Carantathraiel]

Aera stood still as stone as she watched Taris and the physician vanish into shadow. She'd heard of such powers, but had never seen it. Knowing Taris could do it brought a chill that ran through her spine.

Envy stepped in front of her and turned to face her, his face pale, or what could be called pale to him. "You're not pregnant?"
Aera gave him a half-hearted sneer. "I thought Envy always knows?"
Envy frowned. "I wasn't sure what to believe on that one. And who the hell was that?"
The pale elf's face was stone. "Taris. And yes, I know who he is." She added quickly to Envy's exasperated look. "At least I know what he is. What I don't understand is why he went out of his way to help me."

"Why is that hard to believe? Elves stick together here."
Aera didn't flinch. "Because he's here to kill me."
"Our Mother and Father, Aera!" He growled at her in elvish. "And you brought that bastard here?"
"I didn't know he'd follow me." She admitted. "Or that he could do.... that."

His angry red eyes leered at her. "Should I be worried that you don't seem at all worried about being assassinated?" She didn't answer, only stared at the dummy across the room full of arrows. "Aera?"

"I am." She whispered, switching languages again. "But something tells me he doesn't want to do it." The Kartaian narrowed his eyes, glaring down at her. "The fact that he could have slit my throat, or worse, anytime these past few days but didn't, says something. And he went through all that trouble to dig out the Queen's lies. For what reason?" Aera turned her head and looked at him. "He was so angry this morning when the news got out. What reason does he have?"

With a deep sigh, Envy turned and walked away, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Aera remained where she was, straight as an arrow, watching him. "I want you guarded."
"I have guards."
"Crooked ones." Envy sat on one of the stone steps, his unnatural height making him bend awkwardly to do so. "I could send word to Rulitus."
"No." Aera burst out immediately, thinking of those piercing blue eyes. "I can't. Neither one of us would like that."
He watched her. "Okay. But I'm still slipping some informants in."

"Envy, no." She switched tongues again. There are no lies in elvish. "I trust him. At least my gut does, and I trust that." She approached her friend. "I promise you, the moment I feel any threat, I will send word, if I can't make it myself." She grinned. "And hey, if I wake up dead, you know who did it."

He hissed. "That's not funny, Aera!"

"Oh, Envy, sheath that cock of yours already." He glared and she glared back. "When have you ever known me to be weak and helpless? I can defend myself. And damn well, if I might add."

The Kartaian stared up at her for a moment before jumped up and wrapping her arms around her, lifting her light frame from the ground. She shrieked, startled, but a smile was on her face. "You have never been weak." He told her, squeezing her tight. "You were half alive when Ruli caught you, and you beat the pride out of the boy in seven seconds." He put her down and stared into her eyes. "But as strong as you are, you didn't look at Ruli the way you look at the assassin."

Aera felt her ears grow warm as she blushed. "I should return to the palace." She stepped away from his arms and headed for the tunnel. "Envy always knows." She lilted before she stepped into the shadow of the tunnel.