8. Adrian
Adrian
The stone I had in my pocket weighed heavily as Sage and I made our way to the dark hall. With the party in full swing and no signs of stopping soon, the magestone lights were set to very dim, to save power I assumed.
It was much quieter, able to hear the princess’ shoes clicking on the stone of the hall. I had no clue where I was leading us. It needed to be somewhere quiet and remote, but it would be too much of a red flag to just bring her to my room.
I wasn’t sure where Bramwell had gone. Tonight’s festivities were for everyone, even if staff was expected to wait on the edges of the room in case their employer needed something.
In our case, it worked out well. He was essentially a ghost to these people, meaning he could slip around undetected.
Though I wasn’t sure if he was following, or was keeping wait in the room to make sure no one noticed our absence.
For someone so large, he could be very sneaky.
It was a slight risk, but I walked her down to the garden we were in this morning.
The manor was a rectangle, and the ballroom was on the far east wing.
The garden was on the west, on the opposite side of the property from the party, so even though we were outside, we were away from prying eyes.
It seemed like the west wing was meant mostly for staff, but all of them would be too busy with the party to be over here.
“Eager to show me your work?” she asked, once she realized where we were going.
No, I was actually quite eager to obtain the necklace and get the fuck out of here.
“I thought you’d like to see our hard work,” I said instead.
“I hardly got through anything before I was dragged away,” she said.
“That’s not true, I was only left to bury the last few rows, which I did do perfectly.”
She smiled. “I knew this was a bragging trip.”
This was a lighter smirk than she had in the ballroom. There, her smile was tight, almost looking rehearsed. When she was actually happy, her expression was relaxed, the smile softer, rounder in the corners.
Not that I was paying that close attention.
We went over to the plot with the replanted flutoras and she looked around. The way she squatted down was careful, obviously aware she was in a nice gown. Her hands floated over the leaves, touching them gently before standing back up, brushing her hands together.
“These look good,” she said. “As long as they get watered, they’ll probably thrive over here.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“How has your evening been?” she asked, guiding us towards a stone bench under the large tree we planted the flowers in. We sat together, me more carefully perched on the edge while she got comfortable, fanning her skirts a bit until the soft fabric touched against me.
“Invigorating,” I said with more of a sarcastic edge than I probably should have.
“Not one for parties then?”
“It isn’t my normal scene, no,” I confirmed.
“I can’t say I agree,” she said. “I love a good party.”
“What about them do you find so engaging?”
“Mostly the dancing. I love to dance.” She paused. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you out on the dance floor at all.”
“And you won’t,” I said, flicking my tail out in front of us. “I suck at footwork.”
She laughed, just like she did last night, except this time, at me. Which warmed me in a way I should have found uncomfortable.
“I’m sure you’re an excellent dancer, footwork or not.”
“That’s very left up to debate.” Sure, I could gallivant around a pub and call it dancing, but I knew nothing about the organized steps they were all doing to songs that they obviously had practiced too many times.
We wandered to a bench a bit further down.
It was under the cover of the trees, which would be perfect.
I couldn’t see him, but Bramwell couldn’t be far now that we’d been gone for a while.
And as soon as I recovered it, I would slip off and we would disappear as if we were never here at all.
Success was so close I could taste it on the tip of my tongue.
“I was surprised you asked me out here,” she said, fiddling with one of the cloth flowers on her dress.
“Why’s that?”
She shrugged. “I expected us to go right back to your room.”
“Why were you expecting that?”
Sage glanced at me, as if I was deft. “Did you not plan on having sex with me?”
I sputtered, coughing in surprise.
“Out here is fine,” she said in my absence of speech. “Exhibitionism isn’t really my thing, but it doesn’t bother me.”
“N-no, I didn’t,” I clarified as soon as I stopped coughing.
Her lips turned to a confused pout. “I thought you found me attractive?”
I caught my breath, trying to sound at least a little normal. “I think you’re very lovely.”
She raised her brows, like I was the one missing the point.
“I just… prefer to take things slow.”
“Ah, you’re one of those,” she said, leaning back on her arms, and looking up. “You don’t have to pretend to be chivalrous for my sake.”
“What do you mean?”
She huffed, annoyed she had to keep spelling it out for me. “I mean, you don’t have to fake being interested in me further than the bedroom to get me there.”
Was this something that happened to her often enough she could read it as a ploy? The thought irritated me deeply.
“Well, I’m not faking anything. I was just hoping for your company.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard that one before.”
“I’m not just saying it.”
“That one too,” she pointed out.
“You are extremely stubborn.”
She huffed a laugh. “That one too, I’m afraid, but normally not from someone trying to get under my skirts.”
“Do you truly find it that hard to believe I would pursue you for the company as opposed to sex?”
“Yes,” she said easily. “As you pointed out, I’m very stubborn. Not the most enjoyable company.”
“I have to disagree,” I said, settling back further on my tail. “If you were all smiles and agreement all the time, how boring would that be?”
She seemed to consider what I said. “I suppose.”
“Haven’t heard that one before?”
A sharp laugh cut through the quiet night, one that wasn’t reserved or carefully crafted for proper company, but one reserved for actual joy. I liked it much better than the latter.
“I have not,” she finally said.
“Good, I like surprising you.”
For a few moments we basked in the sounds of outside. Lightning bugs danced around the courtyard, glowing briefly before flickering out again.
Sage dropped her head to my shoulder, making me freeze in place. I hadn’t expected even the simple contact to feel so… heavy.
“So you really weren’t… expecting anything?”
“I was expecting a better compliment on my planting skills, but that was all.”
She hummed, as if she still didn’t fully believe me. I understood why; a lot of people around her had alternative motives to speak to her.
“I do find you very beautiful though,” I found myself saying. She reminded me of some of the golden flowers growing at the front of the property. I had no clue what they were, but they were gold on the edges, like her hair, and had a bright blue center, just like her eyes.
She flushed the slightest bit. “Then kiss me,” she said, looking up at me.
The logical part of my brain should have said no, but that part of me was currently malfunctioning.
I leaned down and planted a long, drawn out kiss to her lips. They were so soft and pliant in a way I hadn’t expected. It was as if she melted beneath me. I’d kissed quite a few people, but it had never felt as… exhilarating as this.
And it seemed I wasn’t alone in the feeling. She was quick to open for me, letting me explore her even further.
The necklace, a voice in the back of my head said.
Right, the reason I was there.
This would be the perfect opportunity.
Carefully, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the stone. I pulled her up on top of me, her thighs resting on either side of my tail, pressing hard against me.
Her hands fell to my waist, squeezing slightly. I let mine wrap around her neck, and spent a few more moments basking in the kiss, before slipping my finger under the chain and pulling, just enough she didn’t notice.
Once I had it away from her skin, I pressed the stone to it.
I felt it vibrate, then get warm. It made sense, if it was working, but then it got hot. Really hot.
Though I tried to hold it, doing my best to get it to work. She didn’t seem to have noticed yet, and this would be my only chance.
Quickly, the stone overheated and shattered, cutting my hand. I dropped it, cursing.
She pulled away and blinked. I pulled my hand towards me, trying to hide it, but she was suspicious. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” I said.
Sage stood, looking at the stone on the ground. “Were you trying to kill me?” she asked. Loudly.
My eyes widened. “No, absolutely not.”
“Then what the fuck is that?” she asked, pointing to the shattered stone on the ground.
“I-I can explain.”
“I don’t think you can. Guards!” she started yelling.
No, no, no.
I grabbed her, putting my hand over her mouth. She started kicking and thrashing, trying to scream louder. There was no way no one heard us by now. I had to do something, but what?
What would Tungesten do right now?
Running would be the best, but this was my only chance. I had to take it.
Someone came around the corner. I thought I was a goner, until I realized it was Bramwell.
“Thank fuck,” I said.
Her eyes widened at his large frame.
“What the hell happened?”
“I can’t explain, we need to do something.”
Without a word, Bramwell reached into his satchel, pulling out a bit of thimbleweed and blowing it right into her face.
Sage fought for a few more seconds before she got drowsy, falling asleep in my arms.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“Made her calm down,” he said, wiping his hands together. “You know it’s mild.”
He was right, thimbleweed was a very mild sedative, usually used to help people with insomnia. When inhaled like that however, it could make someone pass out.
“Now what?”
“Try to cut it off,” he suggested.
“It’s fucking magic, it won’t just cut off.”
“Then maybe—” Before he could get the next words out, we heard the rustling of guards coming our way.
“Moons,” I cursed.
I looked down at her sleeping form. I could just slither and leave her here. But then I’d never know what happened to my old captain.
“We have to go,” I told him.
Bramwell nodded. “Should we prop her against the tree?” he asked.
I shook my head and coiled my tail around Sage. “We’re taking her with us.”