Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 25 ~ Part 2||

Yaoyorozu took a deep breath. Then she threw her spear from the roof. It clattered as it hit the ground. She took a half-step back and, hesitating only for a moment, vaulted off the roof.

It happened quickly; Shouto stepped forward, arms raised. Yaoyorozu's body dropped through the air like a downed bird. Then the world seemed to stop, and Shouto found Yaoyorozu in his grasp. One of his arms wrapped under her legs as the other circled around Yaoyorozu's back.

Shouto let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as Yaoyorozu's body melted into his arms. She leaned her head against his chest, her arms twining around his neck. A flicker of warmth spread through Shouto's body before being doused by the nymph's cry.

"Get back, or I'll melt you!"

Shouto spun, fingers tightening around Yaoyorozu. Around the perimeter, soldiers pushed through the chaos to encircle the battle.

The fighting abruptly ceased; both slavers, Bigshot, and Mick lowered their weapons and stumbled backwards as the group of soldiers advanced, spears raised.

Shouto's stomach twisted. It was what he'd feared — the city guard had arrived.

A tall man with a droopy dog-like face stepped forward from the soldiers. "Lay down your weapons! You are in violation of city laws and will be held responsible before a jury." His voice snapped with authority.

Yaoyorozu's arms tensed around Shouto's neck. He felt her heartbeat reverberate through his chest, matching his own. Shouto took a step back, his gaze sweeping over the men surrounding them. They needed to find a way out of the situation and fast.

"Todoroki," Yaoyorozu whispered; her voice wavered with uncertainty.

His fingers twitched. It was obvious just from holding her that Yaoyorozu was exhausted. She might even pass out again if Shouto put her down to fight.

Close by, Bigshot and Mick were panting heavily. They wouldn't be able to fight the city guard either. The only one who seemed in relatively decent shape to continue was the nymph, but Shouto didn't know if he could rely on her.

He ground his teeth in frustration. He needed to keep calm. It would be difficult to fight their way out of this. He'd have to find another way to get free.

He had to. He'd never let them take Yaoyorozu from him. Shouto clenched his jaw and tried to think.

If he were alone, Shouto wouldn't have cared about facing punishment. Most crimes ended in monetary payment or, worst case, expulsion. However, it was the former punishment Shouto was most worried about.

If he was heavily fined for the damages and released slaves, Dicaea could take Yaoyorozu as compensation. They would beat her, maybe even call for her death. And Shouto would never allow any of that to happen.

His stomach burned, as if his flames had been lit inside his gut. The only option was to make a run for it.

As Shouto was thinking, the nymph growled and stepped forward. "How dare you! I demand me and my saviors' release!"

The head guard looked down at the nymph, and his expression flickered with hesitance before smoothing out. He lowered his head slightly as if in respect. "Nymph, you may pass. I do not have the power or wish to hold you, but unfortunately, too much destruction has been caused to let the others leave." He looked to his men, and his voice turned hard. "Send them to the desmoterion."

The nymph's pink face darkened, flashing crimson.

"Wait! Ashido!" Yaoyorozu called.

It was too late.