He had a sinking feeling that the “act” he was getting together was actually a one-act play and the audience was leaving.
“What do you mean wedding?” he shouted.
The old guard rolled his eyes. “Weren’t you listening to my explanation? I just told you this was a sacred spring. You entered the spring. Unwed. Unbound?—”
“The water binds what it witnesses et cetera, et cetera. Yes, I heard you, Elder.” Maldenis scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’ve been sneaking in—er, I mean Iaccidentally stumbledinto this spring last year. As far as I know, I’m the only one who knows about it. And I have definitely never even heard of it being a sacred matrimonial spring. How can we be now all of a sudden married?”
He didn’t dare glance down at Liora, who stood next to him, completely still and quiet, like she’d been sent into catatonic shock. It was such a difference from moments ago when she was like putty in his hands, her soft body yielding as she?—
Stop it! That’s what got you into this mess in the first place. Gods, I’m never drinking again.
And if they really were married, he might mean it this time.
The moment Maldenis had laid eyes on her, she’d captivated him. Liora had been so intriguing, projecting a prickly nature, yet he could sense something else from her.
Her appearance projected independence and confidence, her hair a study in defiance as the top was long and thick with strands that flopped over her forehead, but the bottom sheared down to a rough shadow against her scalp. There was a prettiness and softness to her features that not even her jadedness nor her facial piercings could overpower.
And those eyes—soft, like brown velvet, and the invitation in them, unmistakable.
He had not been surprised at all when she showed up next to him at the bar or that she went along with his plan to sneak into the spring.
Which was how they’d ended up here.
The guard let out a gruff sigh. “You must come with me and meet the Supreme Amghar, Master Hiramus.”
“Who?” he asked.
“The leader of the Council of the Wise.” Exasperation marred the guard’s face. “He’s my boss, and he’s the only one who can rule on this matter.”
“Nuh-uh. This is simply ridiculous,” Maldenis huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “I will not be bullied?—”
“You were in the sacred spring?—”
“It is no reason to?—”
“The spring does not differentiate?—”
“Can we stop all the yammering and just go see this guy,” Liora piped in, seemingly snapping out of her coma. “Oh gods, I don’t feel so good.” She covered her face with her hand. “I think I’m gonna throw up and I have a headache the size of Texas.”
“Yeah, well that’s what happens when you drink Solkarian whiskeywine.”
Shooting him a dirty look, she blew out a breath. “I hate you.”
“Likewise,” he snapped back.
“Just take us to your boss,” she said to the guard.
“Follow me.”
Quickly, they redressed and then followed the Elder as he led them out of the spring area. At first, Maldenis thought they’d go through the chained gate, but to his surprise, the guard slithered around toward the opposite direction behind the pool. Reaching out, he pulled the curtain of ivy aside to reveal a hidden door. Maldenis and Liora followed him through a dark tunnel, toward the light at the end. As soon as they were outside, the familiar heat of the desert air brushed his skin and scales.
They were outside again, in the ruins surrounding the restaurant district. The guard led them down a path, toward a group of small buildings. They looked like any of the structures in the area, made of the same dark red stone brick. The guard led them into the center building, then up a set of stairs and down a long hallway that led to the door.
The guard stopped, knocked on the door three times and then opened it when a voice called inside, instructing them to enter.
“Master Hiramus, it is I, Altreus. I must speak with you about an urgent matter.”
In the middle of the room, a wizened old figure sat behind a large desk, white bushy brows drawn together as he pored over a large, weathered book. A long, serpentine tail covered in silver scales curled out from behind the desk.
