22. Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Lillith
T he sun dips low over the horizon as Prince Asher and I wander the market square. Asher insists we take rooms at the inn for a few days while we hunt for the information we need.
"We've had little enough time away," he says, "and you deserve a proper rest after your victory in the arena today."
I flush at his praise. "It was nothing."
Asher shakes his head. "Don't discount your skills, Lilly. That was a hard fought match, and you showed great courage and cunning. I was quite impressed! I didn’t know you knew how to fight.”
I look at him in surprise. His compliments are as unlooked for as they are kind.
A yawn creeps up on me. Arms full of packages of food and books, I refuse to even attempt to cover it .
"Lilly," he says, a teasing glint in his blue eyes, "you can't possibly be tired already."
"Of course not," I huff, adjusting my grip on the packages. "It's just that these parcels seem to have gained weight since we started."
"Ah, my apologies," he says with mock seriousness. "I forgot to warn you about the magical properties of shopping bags."
I can't help but chuckle at his jest, shaking my head in amusement.
We stop at a stall selling an assortment of roasted nuts and fruits, the fragrant aroma wafting through the air.
"Would you like some?" Asher asks, gesturing toward the treats.
"Thank you," I reply, shifting the packages to one hand.
I gratefully accept a handful of the sweet-smelling snacks, and we continue browsing the stalls, munching on our treats while exploring.
As we meander through the crowded square, I can feel the tension that has been building all day. Despite the light-hearted banter between us, there is an undercurrent of danger lurking beneath the surface. If he is discovered, it would cause serious trouble.
"Have you ever tried candied figs, Lilly?" Asher asks suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Can't say that I have," I reply, curious about the sudden change in topic.
"Then you must try one," he insists, purchasing a small bag and offering it to me.
"Thank you," I say.
I take a bite of the sticky-sweet treat. It’s delicious, but I can't help but feel uneasy. Is this just another one of Asher's playful distractions, or is there something he isn't telling me?
"Ah, Asher, my boy!" a voice booms through the market square.
I glance up and see Bronn, one of Prince Asher's closest friends, making his way toward us. His arms are open wide for an embrace, and Asher sets down his bag to return the gesture.
As the two men continue their conversation, I notice someone watching us. A quick scan of the bustling market reveals Xixor Shade, lurking in the shadows of a nearby stall. My heart races and I subtly elbow Asher and nod in Xixor's direction.
"Anyway, Bronn," Asher continues, raising his voice slightly. "Would you care to join us for a drink? We were just about to stop at the tavern."
"Sounds delightful," Bronn replies.
We make our way to the tavern. I keep an eye on Xixor. He continues to watch us, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. I try to focus on Asher's light-hearted banter with Bronn.
The tavern is a cozy little place, filled with laughter and the scent of roasted meats. The warm glow of the fireplace illuminates the faces of patrons while they clink their mugs together in celebration. My fingers twitch nervously against the parcels I carry as I try to focus on anything but the danger that potentially lurks outside.
"Ah, this place brings back memories, doesn't it?" Asher asks, clearly attempting to lighten the mood as he pulls out a chair for Bronn. "The last time we were here, we were barely fifteen."
Bronn grins widely. "Remember that time you started a bar fight just because someone insulted your hair?"
"In my defense, they called it 'the color of a sickly pigeon'," Asher retorts, feigning offense.
I let out a small chuckle despite the tension coiling in my stomach. After taking a deep breath, I excuse myself to fetch some drinks for the three of us, all the while keeping my eyes peeled for any signs of danger.
"Be on alert," Asher whispers into my ear as I pass him. His warmth sends shivers down my spine, but I quickly nod and focus on my task.
As I approach the bar, I feel eyes on me.
"Three ales, please," I say to the barkeep, plastering a smile on my face even though my heart races like a runaway carriage.
"Coming right up, miss," he replies cheerily, filling the mugs with frothy ale .
"Thank you," I murmur, taking the drinks and carefully weaving my way back to our table, trying not to spill a single drop.
I slide into the open seat next to Asher and bring the ale to my lips, hoping the bitter drink will calm my nerves. The boisterous laughter of the tavern patrons rings out around us.
"Remember that time we borrowed the blacksmith's horses and rode them through town?" Bronn asks with a mischievous grin.
Asher chuckles. "I thought the blacksmith was going to tan our hides! His face went as red as a ripe tomato when he caught us."
I sip my ale silently, keeping my eyes trained on the tavern door. The shadows seem to shift and morph as patrons enter and exit. I search for any sign of Xixor, but see nothing amiss yet.
"More memories from your unruly youth?" I ask lightly, hoping to mask the tension thrumming through me.
"You know us too well, Lilly," Asher replies with a wink.
I manage a thin smile in return. The ale warms me, but does little to abate the unease coiling in my stomach. Xixor could be lurking just outside, waiting to catch Asher unawares. We cannot stay long.
Asher seems to sense my discomfort. "Ready, Lilly?" Asher asks, offering me his arm .
"Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, taking his arm with a small smile.
Together, we step out into the bustling market square, the cool air a welcome relief from the stuffy tavern.
"He's coming," I whisper, spotting his imposing figure just a few stalls away and closing in on us.
"Quick. Act natural," Asher says, barely containing the panic in his voice.
"Natural? How?"
"Like this!"
Without another word, Asher pulls me into his arms and presses his lips against mine. My eyes widen in surprise, but I realize his plan and close them and lean into the passionate kiss.
Is this natural enough for you? A hint of amusement breaks through my nerves.
I feel Xixor's presence nearing, his heavy footsteps on the cobblestone ground. As he passes by, I steal a glance and see him determinedly staring straight ahead, visibly uncomfortable with our unexpected intimacy on display.
"Lovebirds," he mutters under his breath, shaking his head before he continues walking away from us.
We hold onto each other until he is out of sight. Breaking apart, both of us are visibly flustered and relieved that our impromptu performance worked .
"Phew, that was close!" I manage a giggle, trying to shake off the awkwardness of our staged kiss. "I didn't think you'd go for that."
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Asher replies, his cheeks still flushed.
We navigate the crowded streets, and I can’t help giggling to myself or eyeing the prince.
"Seriously, Lilly, you're enjoying my embarrassment far too much," Asher grumbles, shooting me a sidelong glance.
"Forgive me," I tease, unable to resist poking fun at him, "but your flustered expression is rather endearing."
"Endearing, huh?" Asher raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Well, just remember who came up with the plan in the first place."
"Of course. Your brilliant mind never ceases to impress me," I reply sarcastically, earning a snort of laughter from Asher. Because this was all his idea, obviously.
As we hurry through the bustling market, our hearts still race from the adrenaline and the lingering embarrassment of our stolen moment. We can't deny that something has shifted between us—a new understanding and, perhaps, the spark of something more. For now, we simply focus on the task at hand, leaving the memory of our embrace behind us in the colorful chaos of the market square.