ArcKnight (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1)

Chapter Twelve

Ephrem

The walls of the MarkTier palace loomed ahead, towering like giants contemplating on whether to crush us underfoot or ignore us like insignificant specks of dust. I was hoping for the latter. If we were caught, the punishment would be severe for both of us. I'd be permanently banished the same as Lily or worse, and she might be imprisoned for espionage. Everything depended on me convincing the guards that she was my wife. I prayed neither of us cracked under pressure. Well, honestly, I hoped Lily wouldn't lose her edge. She was a firecracker, but push against her enough and she could shatter. She was more fragile than she thought.

"Identify." The lead guard at the gate motioned us forward. I could see his eyes flash with recognition as he looked at me, but the spark faded the moment he turned his attention toward Lily. "Master Ephrem, it's been a long time."

I glanced at Lily, finding her with a lifted eyebrow as she watched our interaction with amusement. That woman got under my skin without having to say a word. It was something I was going to have to adjust to since we were going to be spending so much time together. I still wasn't used to having anyone near me for extended periods of time, especially a beautiful, disarming woman. I tightened my grasp on her hand and she returned an affirming squeeze.

"Rolston, so good to see you! Yes, it has been a long time. How are things holding up in the palace lately?"

"All right. Same old shit, different year." Rolston's suspicious scrutiny was making Lily fidget. Hell, I could feel a sheen of sweat building on my skin as I tried ever so slyly to appear calm and collected. No matter how many times I came across the gates, I'd never had to lie to enter my own city.

"Sounds about right. Listen, I want to introduce you to my wife, Lila. We just eloped a few weeks back. Crazy, huh?" I slipped my arm around her waist, pulling her close to my body until her warmth encircled me. Her scent filled my lungs as we waited for Rolston's permission to cross the wall. It was so intoxicating, I felt my heart flip from her proximity. She did something to me. Something disorientating and hypnotic. If Rolston hadn't looked like he was going to burst out laughing, I might've turned to kiss Lily. Never had I been so relieved that we'd picked a name close enough to hers that I wouldn't stumble on it, much less forget it altogether when she was this close.

"You're kidding, right?" Rolston shook his head and snickered, amusement dancing in his eyes. "The perpetual bachelor has been conquered? I can hardly believe it, man! Congrats!"

He reached out to shake my hand, and I relaxed as he squeezed it, jovially pulling me away from Lily for a rough, brotherly embrace.

"Thanks. Wait a minute....What do you mean by 'perpetual bachelor'?" I frowned at Rolston's assessment of me. I'd obviously kept to myself for far too long if people thought I'd never get married. It was somewhat disturbing to be told such a thing. Had I been so careless with the opposite sex that I'd been labeled a loner? Apparently I had.

"Hey, I'm just pulling your leg. Nice to see you've settled down. Pleased to meet you, Lila. Let me tell you, there's going to be a lot of broken hearts from the ladies tonight. The most eligible MarkTier bachelor is off the market! Congrats! Don't let me hold you up. I'm sure your father will be dying to see you."

I could feel Lily's piercing stare in my periphery. I nodded, swallowing down the desert in my mouth at the mention of my father. "Right. He'll be thrilled to see us."

I hoped my voice hadn't come out as dry and spiteful as I felt. It wasn't my fault my father and I had always been at odds. My isolated position in the Outlands of Temple was all due to my violation of the rules my stringent father had laid down. It wasn't an official banishment, and I was still permitted to return to the palace, but it was made known that I was not wanted around. It was impossible to please the man.