One Eternal Ember

Chapter 5

It wasn't the baring of his teeth that made me nervous, it was the outright act of pure dominance, and hostility. The female then looks my way and smiles. "We have a couple questions for your company, Jax, was it?" Jax looks to me slowly and tries to smile politely, but it ended up being more of a grimace.

"It is. I believe my company has nothing to hide, and besides, I am loyal to my country." The female glances at her companion, and he immediately stops baring his teeth. She then glances to me and makes her way over. I try not to fidget, because doing so would only expose my nerves. "Rise." she states flatly. I begin to shift, but stop as I hear Lilith's stool squeak as she stands. "Lilith Lordanou. Daughter of Alessandra and Jasper Lordanou. The King requests your presence effective immediately. You will be escorted to the Capital by my companion and I. Anything you need clarification on?"

"It's just Lilith, and no. I'll go to the Capital peacefully on one condition." I glance over at Lilith as she crosses her arms over her chest, and shift her weight, jutting out a hip.

"You are in no place to be making conditions." A deep male voice rumbles. Lilith doesn't back down, she simply continues to eye them and wait. The female glances towards me, then back to her companion, and finally to Lilith. "Make your condition Lilith." The female states flatly, tapping her fingers on her thigh, impatient and clearly tired of Lilith's games.

"My friend will come with me, and I will finish my drink."

"That was two conditions." The male replies slowly, eyeing me.

"Was it? My apologies Delano. I wasn't aware I was under such criticism."

"Enough games. Your friend will attend, but they will be under strict watch. Furthermore, you will not waste our entire evening gambling and drinking. Finish your drink and we will be on our way."

Lilith grins my way and sits back down, as Jax relaxes slightly. He didn't move an inch the entire time they spoke. I bet he hates the Royal Guard as much as I do. Maybe a little less. The fae both move to my right. The male chooses a seat in the very stool closest to me, and makes no move to be quiet. His stool scrapes the ground in a loud screech, as he finally sits himself down. The smell of cinnamon and apple spice, fills my nose, and it isn't entirely unpleasant. I turn my focus to my drink, which is almost gone and smile to myself. Swigging the last of my tonic I feel a pair of eyes on me intently.

"Who are you?" a deep rumble asks from next to me.

"Who are YOU?" Zuko asks from my left, clearly coming to the realization that he is still in this bar, and Roman leans forward on his stool to level a look at the fae male next to me.

"I wasn't speaking to you Dragon hunter." The fae male responds dryly. Dragon Hunter? I glance to Zuko who looks back at me with curiosity. I shake my head and set my glass down on the counter.

"Kasdeya." I respond not bothering to turn to face him. "Who's asking?"

"Delano. Captain of the Royal Guard, and overseer to the protection of the Royal family here in Thessia."

Lilith pulls a stool next to Roman and leans in whispering gods know what in his ear. He smiles and looks at her whispering back, and she levels a stare at Delano. I look to her and make eye contact and she smiles a smile that says 'I'll tell you later'

I glance at Delano from the side subtlety. He glances to his companion and speaks quietly, his head dipping and a lock of his raven colored hair settles over his forehead. I take note of the small scar on his chin, and avert my gaze quickly.

"Why are you visiting the Capital Kasdeya?" his deep voice rumbles across my skin, sending chills down my spine. I shake my head slightly clearing the sensation.

"I've found that leaving my home was a good choice, and I would like to spend my time here."

"Here? In a Tavern?" His nose crinkles, "with smelly men?" He then eyes me, and I refuse to turn to look back at him. His emerald green eyes stare into me and I can't help but want to but stare back, I settle for eyeing him with my peripheral vision. A smile forms on his face and a dimple appears on his left cheek.

"Yes. A Tavern. With stinky men." I shrug my shoulders and continue to glance close enough to him, but not at him. "You dare say you aren't one of them?"

"One of the stinky men?" I nod, and he grins revealing a fang. "I'm positive I am not amongst the smelly human men."

I roll my eyes and avert my gaze to the wall ahead of me. "How can you be so certain?"

"I don't have to prove anything to you. Human woman." He growls his chin dipping, and tone deepening. I smile to myself quietly, knowing I'm playing with some serious fire. But who's to say I don't like it like that.