Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 43 +

I knew he could smell my fear, I knew he could probably see that I was barefoot with a bag around my arm- I looked like I was running. Just being in the castle at night alone was enough for him to report to Ceth. And then he'd know what I was doing.

Ceth wouldn't just hurt me, he'd hurt my family. All because I wanted a few answers. Something so silly would lose me my family forever.

"I- I was..."

"Ajax isn't it?" I heard another voice behind me.

Part of me cursed myself for not having heard him come up behind me, and another was so god damn grateful he was there.

"Lady Brenna and I were just taking a stroll about the castle." Thayer appeared from the dark beside me, hands behind his back, looking just as calm and serene as always.

Ajax narrowed his eyes at the pair of us, again looking toward my bag and bare feet. "We went to the kitchen," I added. "I was hungry, and Ambassador Astley was kind enough to join me. I didn't want to wake any of the servants."

Ajax's hand, I noted, still held the hilt of a sword sheathed at his side, the gesture just as threatening as he likely meant it. His hand became a fist around it, and I knew my fate was sealed as he nodded toward me. "We should be getting you to bed, My Lady."

Ceth would hear about this. Ceth would find out.

Thayer was far taller than Ajax, taller than anyone I'd ever met really. Though he was lanky, what little there was of him was all muscle. Lean and honed to likely hold his own in a fight, should it ever come to it. And as Ajax took a step toward me, I didn't miss the careful tilt of Thayer's shoulder toward me, as if he were shielding me in a way. "It would be a pleasure if you'd let me walk you to the rest of the way," he said, more toward me than Ajax. But, I already sensed that Ajax wasn't going to let me go.

Ajax sniffed, as if assessing the threat Thayer might pose if he pulled his sword on him right here and now. "I will escort you both back to your quarters then."

"Is there a problem here, sir?" Thayer raised a brow, and Ajax stiffened just as he reached for my arm. "I didn't realize we were not allowed from our rooms. If this is the case, then I was unaware. Unless, I am to understand that we are prisoners here?" Ajax had the sense enough to look at Thayer and swallow. "I'm sure Lord Shawcross will have no problem clarifying why it is that a diplomatic envoy- and his own lady- were being escorted back to their rooms."

The man was smart. Smart as hell to pull a card like that. I knew enough about the ambassador's rank to know they held a great deal of esteem in court. If Ajax were to offend an envoy, it would be to offend his realm as well.

Ajax's hand dropped to his side, but he gave me a look that told me Ceth was going to deal with me later. He stepped forward, right into Thayer's space as he looked up, chest puffed out, pride showing. "No. Sir..." he gave a furtive smile. "No problem." He shouldered Thayer aside, but Thayer's smile was bright as he watched Ajax walk away before finally turning toward me.

"Thank-"

"We are not alone, my Lady," he bowed, just as another fleet of guards and a few servants wandered by. When his eyes met mine again, I couldn't find a way to say how grateful I was. I only gave him a tight smile and bowed my head in return.

Thank you. Thank you for saving me from what surely would have been a beating.

"Breakfast will be served soon. I hope our adventure for snacks hasn't left you too full."

"No. In fact, I thought I might go and change before... before breakfast." I smiled again, and his dull eyes seemed to spy my hesitation. He was just as receptive as Gabriel- if not a little less so in the sense that I didn't feel so disarmed by his gaze.