InkSkin

The King's Companion

Alsuha took advantage of LuSol's absence to do her routine patrol of the Prince's Tower. Haku padded silently beside her, seething with disapproval. She did her best to ignore him. Her side ached and her hand was still bandaged but she was healing. The poison had slowed her Ink's ability to heal her rapidly, but now that her body was rid of it, her Ink was working double time to heal her wounds. Alsuha could actually feel her skin stitching itself back together if she concentrated hard enough.

She felt uneasy about LuSol traveling down to the Slavers market, but LuSol had commanded her to stay and relax. She had bared her teeth and growled at him, but he had not backed down and had left her without a backwards glance. The only consolation she had wasn't a good one; Erif had assured her that a squad of the palace guards would accompany him, but they weren't even Ink'd. They weren't her.

Her shoulders eased a little as she felt the whispered touch of LuSol's words in her mind. Her fingers trailed along Haku's hair as they melted into the shadows as one.

'Stop worrying. It's like nettles in my head. And why aren't you in bed?' Alsuha ignored his question and continued to prowl around the tower. She felt his sigh and couldn't help the smile that lifted the corners of her lips.

'I told her to stay in bed, but you know how stubborn she can be.'

"Traitor," Alsuha snapped at Haku as he padded alongside her.

Alsuha and Haku both stopped at the exact same time, both alert. Alsuha could feel the tension that filled Haku's body. She curled her fingers into the hair at his neck.

'What is it?'

'Nothing.' Alsuha made an effort to relax so that LuSol would not be suspicious.

"Hello, Fira." The shadows a little ahead of them parted and the King's Companion stood before them.

"Your instincts are good for one so young and ignorant."

Alsuha tried to ignore the anger that filled her. She closed herself off a little from LuSol to keep him from feeling everything she felt and worrying about her.

"Was there something you wanted? I was not aware that you were allowed to leave your master's side."

Alsuha watched the other woman leisurely stride towards them. She was tall, her body lithe and chorded with long, lean muscle. Her hips swung with all the arrogance reflected in her eyes. As Alsuha watched, Fira flipped her unbound hair over her shoulder, the move slow and almost sensuous.

Alsuha stood tense as Fira stopped before her. She tightened her hold on Haku's hair as she felt him shift his weight. She watched those teal and pink eyes glance down at Haku and saw them warm. She felt her heart constrict as something achingly painful flashed in the other woman's eyes.

"He is beautiful, your Kyuumu."

"Thank you." Alsuha watched warily as she knelt before Haku. Alsuha was startled as Fira lowered her eyes and bowed her head to Haku.

'Now here is someone who knows how to treat me properly.' Alsuha couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her.

"What did he say?" Alsuha was unprepared for the thickness of Fira's voice. She noticed how her body trembled.

"Haku is a little full of himself," Alsuha said with a warm smile at her friend.

"How dare you!" Alsuha's smile froze as Fira's head snapped up. The fury in her eyes made Alsuha take a step back, which made Haku growl deep in the back of his throat. Fira quickly bowed her head once more.