“We move out tomorrow morning. Try to get some rest.” Tynan got up and walked up the stairs without looking back.
I lowered my head, staring at my plate. The pieces of chunky meat stew did not look too appetizing any longer. Then I remembered the long days with an empty stomach, and anticipating many more days like the ones that just passed, I forced myself to finish my meal.
When I came up to the room I shared with Tynan, I quickly spotted him on the bed, fully dressed in his flying suit. His head snapped toward me, but when his gaze met mine, his expression softened.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said.
“I don’t have a choice,” he responded after a long pause.
“There’s always a choice,”
“Not here.” Tynan turned away.
“I don’t want you to risk your lives because of me.” I stepped into the room.
“Try to get some sleep.” He got up and moved to the window, shifting the curtain to the side and looking out.
“What about you?” I asked.
“I’m not tired.”
I sat on the bed and pulled my wide pants off, before covering myself with the blanket.
“I should probably share the room with Frid next time,” I said feeling awkward, undressing in front of him.
Tynan did not respond, he stayed glued to his spot. I sighed and fluffed up my pillow, trying to shut down my brain that was processing too many thoughts all at once. Right when I thought that I would never be able to fall asleep, my eyes closed involuntarily.
As I dreamed, there was a shadow of a feeling that tried to break through the fog and awaken my nearly numb senses, alerting me to the presence of something. I jolted awake, seeing that the room was almost completely dark, with the exception of one lit candle. I checked the other side of the bed and saw no one there. Confused, I looked around and saw Tynan standing by the door, his back against the wall, his hand clenching a knife. A moment later, the door was kicked open and a figure appeared in the doorway. The man focused all of his attention on me. The metal of his shortblade reflected the light of the candle, but before he could take a step closer, Tynan plunged his knife into his neck, and with one well practiced motion, reclaimed his knife and returned to his spot. I looked into the hall and saw two more men crowding the entrance. I scrambled out of bed and picked up my flying suit, pressing it to my chest. Meanwhile, Tynan was fighting two men with swords. His movements were calculated and lethal, he swung his knife with his right hand and at the same time, released another one with his left. I had never seen anyone use throwing knives like that. While fighting, Tynan used his entire body. His powerful knee found the abdomen of one of the attackers, while he slashed the hand of another man. It ended quickly with two bodies sliding down to the ground. Tynan checked the hall and moved to where I was standing, still clutching my flying suit as if I could shield myself with it.
“Are you alright?” he asked, searching my face.
I nodded, still in shock. In a moment, he moved even closer. His hand lifted my chin so he could look into my eyes. His thumb brushed my lower lip with soft, gentle pressure. The warmth of his skin melted me from within. My face grew hot and my eyes nearly closed on their own.
“Ty?” Solomon entered the room and Tynan stepped away, but still protected me from view.
My heart was racing, and not because of the attackers. I took the opportunity to pull on my flying suit. I was almost done fastening the buttons when Frid burst into the room followed closely by Victor.
“They found us!” he shouted.
Frid bared her teeth, moving one of the bodies with the tip of her shoe.
“Shadows.” She spit on the ground.
“We have to go.” Tynan returned his throwing knife back to his belt.
To my surprise, his hand found mine and our fingers intertwined when he pulled me after him.
We ran down the stairs and through the hall when a group of men in dark blue flying suits stumbled upon us. Tynan kicked one of them in the groin and pulled me behind him, while working the blade of his knife. I covered my face when pieces of glass and droplets of blood pelted my skin, and the next moment, I could not see what was happening around me. Frid pulled me forward and Tynan released my hand, before disappearing behind another attacker.
“Hide!” Frid yelled.
I dropped to the ground, covering my head. The moments stretched into the long terrifying agony of sounds and splashes of thick crimson blood on the walls. Somewhere between the bodies of the fallen and wounded, I completely lost myself to fear. My body moved on its own when I crawled under the table and covered my ears.
“This isn't happening. It’s not real, it’s not real,” I repeated, over and over.
Long after all sounds ceased, I realized that someone was talking to me, touching my shoulder.
“Princess?” Tynan cupped my face, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks.
