One Eternal Ember

Chapter 6

I grin to myself and finish my drink with one glorious swig, then set my glass down.

"Somehow I can't bring myself to believe you're better than any of the men in here." I say flatly. Delano grimaces and shifts in his seat, leveling a stare at me.

"Perhaps your mind will change if you attend the Founders Ball."

The founders ball was a once a year occasion, where the Capital invited solely Royals, and mongrels who do the Kings business for some cheap change. The founders ball is in two days and if I know one thing, it's that I love to crash a party.

"Perhaps. Though, you say you are not amongst the stinky men, but what makes you think you smell any better?" I shrug roaming my eyes along the ceiling. Delano then leans in close enough to share a breath, and whispers in my ear.

"Because you and I both know I'm far better than a human man." He then leans back out and evens his tone, "I'm not human so of course I'm not among them." I smile to myself, then fully shift in my seat, looking him in the eyes, a little shocked to find him already looking at me. My shock is returned in his gaze as I see his eyes travel slightly along my features and back to my eyes.

"You're mighty confident, Captain Delano." I return quietly, glancing at the Crest on his collar, the symbol of the Captain of the Royal Guard. "Maybe my type is human men." His eyes darken, then return to my hair, and back to my eyes.

"If that's so, you're selling yourself short." He then clears his throat, and rises from his seat. His demeanor cold and nonchalant. His companion rises as well, and they both turn to Lilith.

"Time is up. We need to be leaving now, Lilith." The female states blandly, flicking her braid over her shoulder. I smile at Jax, then stand slowly pushing my stool in. I look to Lilith to see her stand as well.

"Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure." Lilith places her glass on the counter, and smiles to Jax. He returns her smile with a polite nod of his head, and turns away. "We will be seeing each other again, of course. Be kind to my friend Jax here, or I'll be returning and it won't be pretty." Lilith levels a stare at Roman and Zuko. Roman smiles at her, while Zuko just grimaces.

"You will I'm sure." Zuko replies quietly.

A shuffle behind me alerts me to Delano pushing his seat back underneath the bar. Of course I don't turn around because what would be the point of that? A prickle along my shoulder blades alerts me to his gaze, before he strides past me with three steps, to the door. He swings the door open, and waits patiently. The Blonde then spins on her heel and struts towards the door, with surprisingly long strides considering her short legs. I glance to Lilith, and she returns my gaze with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. She steps ahead of me, walking out the Tavern door, with one last glance to Jax. I follow suit behind her and step out to the cobblestone streets. With the bright gleam of the Evening sun shining on my face, I close my eyes for a moment. The short Blonde Fae glances towards us as Delano steps out of The Tavern. She nods to Delano, and begins her ascent up the road, towards the wall.

"Let's go." Was all she said. Lilith followed her with no questions asked, with me in tail behind her, and Delano at the end. I try not to glance to the small shops, with ripe fruits, or to the homeless down dark alleys salivating at the fruit. A bitter tang of anger hits me that I was stripped of everything when I left my home. I could help these people. If only I had just...

"What could you possibly be thinking about, to make you bristle so much." Delano growls behind me.

"Wouldn't you like to know." I quietly return.

"I would, actually."

I glance up to the ten story wall, and glare. "I have nothing to share. I'm not bristling, the sun is just in my eyes." The short blonde Fae snorts at my comment, and exchanges glances with the guards at the posts at the front of the wall. They nod to her, and turn to each other. Synchronization begins, as they twist and kick, each matching the other. Runes glow along their armor, as their eyes begin to glow emerald green. The wall begins to shift, and split in half, revealing a passageway into the Capital. They then stop when the passageway is the size of two carriages, returning to their original positions. The Fae female continues to walk, her chin held high and shoulders back. We all file in behind her, the guards not even acknowledging Lilith and I, which is a small blessing.

"Welcome to The Capital of Thessia; Queen's Eternal, and Kingslayer." Is all the Blonde Fae female says before the wall behind us slams shut, trapping us within the traitorous Capital.