Chapter 22 #2
“Godsdamned idiot,” Raiden scolded. He shook his head and leaned in.
“Two weeks, Taryn. I’m giving you two weeks to get yourself out of whatever this is and turn the girl in to us.
The only reason Eryx hasn’t used the Oathmark is because he doesn’t think you’ve betrayed the Guild.
Yet. As soon as he finds out, he will obliterate you. ”
“How do you do it?” Taryn asked with his brows furrowed, “How do you blindly serve him? When we were boys I used to think what we were doing was a service to Mrkynia, to the realm. Mrkynia has fallen and will never rise again. Eryx is using us and has his own agenda, Raiden. I know it.”
“You truly were planning on leaving, weren’t you?” Raiden asked sharply. Taryn’s jaw tensed, but he knew better to keep his mouth shut. Friends or not, Raiden couldn’t know his plans going forward. He was too loyal to Eryx.
“I’m a Human man, “ Raiden said. “What choice do I have, other than staying with the people who made me? I don’t have Magick like you or her,” Raiden gestured a hand toward Airess.
Airess’ brow furrowed as she noticed Raiden from across the room, her song slowly fading off.
“Two weeks, Taryn, or I have no choice but to come after you.” Raiden stood abruptly. “And do yourself a favor, if you’re going to fuck her, at least don’t fall in love with her, man.”
“Watch your mouth. I told you I’m not fucking–”
“Two weeks,” Raiden said stiffly before striding away, clipping Airess’ shoulder without a second glance as he stormed out of the bar. She whipped around to say something to Raiden, but he was already gone.
Airess strode to Taryn, when an older Elven male grabbed her arm and stopped her mid-walk, “That was some fine singing, girl. Tell me, do you perform any private shows?”
A deep growl rumbled in Taryn’s throat as he approached, Taryn’s eyes widened in a rage when he smelt the arousal coming from the male.
The male smacked his lips, ogling Airess like she was an object he could use.
Taryn’s vision ran red, an excessive reaction, but he couldn’t control it.
He couldn’t control the anger that budded within.
“I–” Airess began, but Taryn had already grabbed the male’s arm and ripped it away, yanking him up in such a disfigured angle, his forearm snapped. The crunch of bone was so audible, the folk around them fell silent as the male screamed.
Taryn shoved the male to the floor as he replied, “I don’t believe she does.”
Silence fell over the room. The weight of his actions settled within him after the irrational, blind rage began to fade. He remembered himself, that they both needed to get out of here. Taryn put an arm over Airess’ shoulder and quickly guided her out of the bar. “We have to go.”
The pair walked out swiftly into the night, cool air hitting their faces, the cobblestone crunching beneath their boots.
When they were far enough from other patrons lingering the street, Airess sidestepped away from his arm, her cheeks red.
“You didn’t have to cause a scene and break his arm, he must have been drunk and wasn’t thinking–”
“I don’t give a fuck if he was drunk. He was touching you,” he said emotionlessly. Taryn knew his reaction was… excessive, but he couldn’t understand why he had felt such intense anger in that moment. It was uncontrollable. Taryn straightened his spine.
Get a grip.
“We need to leave. We’ve drawn too much attention to ourselves.”
Airess’ cheeks burned scarlet, a sight he had yet to see from her. “Who was that man you were talking to back there?” She asked accusingly as they rushed to their horses in the stallhouse.
“A friend.”
“A friend?” She stopped and blinked, her hands on her hips. “And what friend is this, someone from the Guild?”
“Yes, I promise I’ll explain, but we have to go. I don’t know how far out the others are,” Taryn said as he looked beyond her, scanning their surroundings, a hint of panic rising in his tone.
Airess narrowed her eyes, assessing him, doubt creeping over her features. Taryn saw the possibilities she must be thinking of within her mind, a flash of fear coming over her face.
Airess fell silent before lunging at him quickly, her hand reaching for the dagger Taryn wore for her at his belt.
She was too slow, Taryn grabbed her forearms and yanked her towards him, her body slamming into his, their faces so close their noses could touch. Her breath hitched as her chest pressed against his. Taryn smirked, towering over her. She didn’t trust him, and he didn’t blame her for it.
Airess' brows knitted together in frustration as she glanced to his hands gripping her arms and whispered, “Are you going to betray me, Taryn?”
So close. His gaze lingered down her gilded irises, her constellation of freckles and sultry lips.
So close to touching her, kissing her, running his fingers through her hair.
His eyes widened, the alcohol letting his stream of forbidden thoughts flow freely now.
Taryn no longer shook the thoughts that intruded into his head.
He gladly welcomed them now, no matter how wrong they were.
He wasn’t sure why he was answering this way, his silver eyes boring into hers, “No, Airess. Never.”
It was the first time he had used her first name, their relationship–friendship–entering a new depth.
Airess loosened a breath before glancing at his hands on her arms. He quickly dropped his grip and took a step back to put distance between them, not realizing his heavy breathing until they’ve separated.
It took all of Taryn’s strength to turn and walk towards the stallhouse. “Are you coming or not?” He said casually over his shoulder and felt agonizing relief when she fell in step beside him.