Page 84 of The Awakening of Essensia

A Liar

The guard on duty shot Vaelira a suspicious look when she slipped through the gate after dinner. She smiled, pulling her hood tight against the chill. She wasn’t technically breaking curfew, not yet anyway.

The moon hung like a scythe over the high walls, stark against an indigo sky, the last of the sun’s rays clinging to the ramparts in thin crimson lines. The few people in the streets kept their heads down. Rumours of more attacks had spread, and people were on edge.

Vaelira quickened her pace.

She wasn’t sure what to expect from Elijah tonight. The last time they’d been at The Seven Squids they’d kissed. She’d kissed a boy before, but it had been years ago, her training always taking priority over any advances that came her way. She had never kissed a man though, and with Elijah it had been better than she’d imagined. Yet somehow, it had fallen short. She had wanted it, wanted him, but she also wished it hadn’t happened. Especially after that afternoon.

He had come looking for her and been outraged when he didn’t find her obediently waiting like a dog for its master. The switch up between that outrage and the flirtatious tone he’d taken when he’d needed something from her… like he was playing another kind of game. Using his charm to get what he wanted.

And you fell for it.

The doors of the tavern creaked as she pushed them open. Warm, thick air curled around her, heavy with ale and pipe smoke. A few men shouted over cards, and she recognised some of them from previous trips to the tavern. The smells, the faces, the firelight, it all tried to lull her into feeling safe, like creatures weren’t lurking in the shadows outside.

Elijah was in his usual spot, tucked in the far corner beside the fire. His back was to the wall, his face shadowed by his drawn hood. He tilted his head and shifted slightly when he saw her, but he remained seated. She crossed the room, adjusting the sword at her hip, and took the seat opposite him.

The fire burned low in the grate. Elijah picked up a log and dropped it onto the embers. Flames licked up its side as the dry wood smoked, caught, and flared to life.

Vaelira glanced down at her bandaged hand, remembering the fire she’d summoned the night before, how it had danced along her skin as if in celebration.

When she looked up, Elijah was watching her. He didn’t say anything about the bandage, his face still half in shadow, the other half glowing gold with firelight.

“I’m not wearing a dress again,” she said flatly.

“No dress,” he said, smirking.

He pulled something from his pocket. It flashed gold, and her breath caught.

“I haven’t earned the Crest,” she said. Her voice came quieter than she’d meant it to. The pin was no ornament, and the way recruits talked, it was clear how revered it was. Guards like Erryn had bled for it. You didn’t hand it out so easily.

“Not officially,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers, “but if you ask me, you’re doing more for this city than half the Guard combined. It’s yours.” He paused. “At least when you’re with me.” He winked, but she didn’t smile.

His face shifted, the smirk giving way to something harder. “We do what we must to achieve our goals. Don’t forget, we are doing this for the people, not our own pride.” He slid the pin across the table. “This is just another way to get you into the Noble Quarter. Bribes work, but people talk. You look good in a dress, but you can’t carry a sword. This gets you through the gates.”

She saw the logic in it, but when she pinned it to her cloak, it felt like pinning on a lie. Like stepping into a skin that didn’t belong to her.

“Speaking of people talking,” she said, folding her hands in her lap. “Has the Queen come to a decision yet?”

Elijah leaned back. “She hasn’t mentioned it, but she sees enemies everywhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already moved onto another unfortunate soul.”

Vaelira’s chest didn’t loosen at the words. “If she hasn’t?”

“I’ll handle it,” he said easily. “I’ve got eyes in the barracks. They’ve told me you’re improving. You’ll be fine.”

She frowned. “You’re having me watched?”

Elijah leaned forward, the grin returning. “Not like that,” he said, teeth flashing in the shadows. “Just so I know what she knows. That way, if you need help, I can step in.”

“I don’t need a handler.” Her voice was sharper than she’d meant, but she didn’t take it back.

Elijah held up both hands, feigning innocence. “I never said you did.”

He reached beneath his cloak again, this time taking out something small wrapped in thick cloth. He set it on the table between them. “This is for you.”

“What is it?” she said.

Elijah rolled his eyes. “Open it and you’ll find out.”