Empire of Deceit

Chapter 4: An Arrest in the Bazaar

"Yuri is never going to let me do a job again."

I shoved my face into my pillow. "You need to stop waking me up."

Ares slammed my bedroom door behind him. I shot up and glared at him.

"You're just upset that you look like a failure to your hubby."

"You're damn right I'm upset!" Ares crossed his arms. "Aveya, what the hell happened to you last night? You were the best all those years—"

"That was in the past Ares." I felt tears well up in my eyes. "Why is it so difficult for you to accept that?"

Ares sat down on the edge of my bed. I pulled my knees to my chest, so he could rest more comfortably.

"Aveya..." I turned away from his gaze, closing my eyes as tears started to run down my cheeks.

He reached out, placing a firm hand on the top of my foot, the synthetic grey fur of my blanket separating our skin from touching.

"You know I won't let anyone hurt you? Never again. I—" I peeked over at him to see him struggling to find the right words. Dark green eyes turned silver as he stared at me. "I failed you last time... and that was the biggest mistake of my life."

I sniffled. Ares didn't hesitate in enveloping me in a hug. I waited a moment. The warmth was nice... So, I embraced him back, wrapping my arms around him as I was reminded that, no matter what, I would always have Ares by my side.

"And as much as I love cuddling you, we really should probably get Indigo an actual present."

I made a sound of agreement as he pulled away. "Yeah, um," I chuckled as I wiped away the wetness on my cheeks, "I'm pretty sure if she hears about it, we'll both be ten feet under."

He smiled at me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just leave so I can get dressed."

When we got to the Bazaar, the area was already teeming with tourists. How did I know they were tourists? Well, for one, most of them were human. Second, the usual buzzing of multiple voices did not carry the usual lilt of the Astryan or Isle tongues, but rather the rougher and simpler forms in the Common words. And third, who in their right minds would wear an 'I <3 ASTRYA' shirt?

"This should be fun," Ares muttered as we walked up the steps.

I subconsciously tugged on the long sleeves of my shirt. "Why are they here?"

"The Praelium starts in less than a month. If Jacur is gonna be involved, then of course the other kingdoms will too. You know how humans are, they like being early to see a show."

I shook my head as we walked into Miriam's shop. "This is just ridiculous." How in the worlds were these people going to fill up an antique shop?

"Honestly," Ares shrugged, "we could just get her a gift card to that coffee shop."

I tossed around the idea a bit in my mind. "We're the only ones who usually remember her birthday anyways. If we make her a nice big breakfast tomorrow, we'll be the favorites again."

As we continued to speak, I noticed how some of the tourists started to stare at us. Now, yes, we were enchanting creatures, but their expressions were my only warning for what happened next.

"Amir Kishpu," Ares stiffened considerably. My heart stopped.

We turned to see the Captain of the Watchmen standing at the door. I looked at the taser he held in one of his hands.

No, I thought. No one could remember last night. I'm sure of it.

Ares pulled away from me. "Is there a problem, Watchman?"

"You are under arrest for aiding a known felon."

Two more Watchmen appeared and put handcuffs on Ares' wrists.

I stood there, not knowing what to do. Summoning what energy I had at that moment, I turned to the Captain.

"Who has he been accused of aiding?"

The Captain's eyes drooped.

"Yuri Velanov."