Chapter 26 #3
“This isn’t, and never was, a date.” She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help the slight way her lips upturned.
“You can’t knock a man for trying.” He shrugged, and she shook her head, flicking her plait over her shoulder.
“I won’t be a minute,” she said, and that seemed to satisfy him. Lyon turned back to the bar, lifting the bottle for another long swig.
Ellaryn slipped outside and the night pressed in immediately—smoke, ash, and the low murmur of the city humming around her. She scanned the main strip, then the narrow alleys threading between the buildings, her gaze sharp, calculating.
Nothing moved.
No shadows clinging too closely. No magic pricking at her skin.
Relief almost made her sigh, but then she turned back toward the tavern and, to her dismay, caught movement to her left.
A figure peeled himself from the darkness of the alley beside the tavern wall, posture loose, far too relaxed for someone who should not be anywhere near here.
“Looking for me?” Xander said, lips curling into that infuriating smirk.
Her heart slammed once, hard.
“Are you insane?!” she hissed, shoving him back against the stone. “Drinking in the tavern?!”
“I was thirsty,” he said with a shrug, entirely unbothered.
Ellaryn’s fingers didn’t loosen from his cloak. Fury burned in her chest, hotter than the embers littering the city.
“Sorry,” Xander said with a smirk, “did I interrupt your little date?”
“It’s not a date,” she spat, voice low and dangerous.
“Tell that to the guy in there,” he countered, nodding toward the building.
Ellaryn’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?” Her fingers dug into his cloak, a little too hard.
“I told you… thirsty,” he said again, shrugging as if that excused everything.
“Cut the crap,” she snapped. “You said you’d be careful. This—” she gestured around the space, “—this is not careful!”
He lifted his hands slowly, cautiously peeling her fingers from his cloak.
“Okay, okay,” he said. “I was just checking in on you.”
“Checking in on me?” Ellaryn’s voice sharpened as she stepped back. “What am I—a child? I don’t need you to check in on me. I need you alive. How many times do I have to tell you—I can handle myself.”
“I know you can, but you just seemed upset when you left and I wanted to—”
“You were the one who told me to leave.” She snapped.
“I know, I just—”
“What?!” she cut him off. “What could you have possibly wanted to do that is worth jeopardising our entire mission?”
She shoved a hand against his chest.
“Because that’s exactly what you’ve done. You could have been seen. You still could be seen.”
Her voice was little more than a furious whisper as her eyes darted amidst the shadows, checking for anyone who might be listening.
“Apologise,” he blurted out, and Ellaryn found herself blinking in disbelief.
“What?”
“I wanted to apologise.” His expression softened, and he swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
She scoffed, shaking her head as she paced the narrow alley, dragging both hands through her hair.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She stopped and stared at him. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m not joking.” His brow furrowed. “Is it really so hard to believe that someone might actually want to apologise to you?”
“Don’t do that.” She pointed at him, stepping closer, her head shaking slowly. “Don’t do that feelings shit with me. I don’t know why you insist on looking at me like I’m some sort of prey. I’m the predator. Me.”
Guilt flickered across his face, quick but real.
“I’m relying on you,” she continued, teeth clenched, “Sailen’s relying on you. If you screw this up, I’ll show you exactly why they call me Ruin.” She bared her teeth, the sharp bite of liquor clinging to her breath.
“You could try,” Xander said quietly, magic crackling faintly at his fingertips, “but we both know who would win.”
Ellaryn stepped back, the fire draining as quickly as it had come, as if she’d suddenly remembered where she was—and what she risked.
He was stronger than her, and she knew it.
“Look,” she said, lowering her voice. “I’m risking everything for this. And you’re acting like none of it matters, like you couldn’t care less.”
Xander moved closer, his tone gaining an edge. “You think I haven’t risked anything?” he said. “I’ve risked everything to be here. I’ve lost everything.” His breath hitched. “This—this is all I have. So don’t tell me I don’t care.”
Their eyes locked. For the first time, the easy charm was gone—replaced by something raw, something honest.
“Everything okay out here?” Lyon’s voice cut through the alley. “Thought I heard shouting.”
Ellaryn glanced to her left, and to her relief, Xander was gone.
She forced a smile before turning towards Lyon. “Uh, yeah. Everything’s fine.”
“You sure?” His eyes swept the alley, lingering on the shadows as though expecting someone to step out of them.
“Yeah.” She waved a hand dismissively. “I just need another drink.”
She started past him, then paused at the last moment, glancing back over her shoulder.
“You coming?”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Ellaryn sighed in relief as the large man fell into step behind her, following her like an oversized puppy.