Page 4 of To Fight and To Fold

“In a way,” Thea continued, keeping a polite distance from the dragon and his caretaker. Starspark's eyes followed her movements. “That story made me so curious about the goings-on of the castle, I requested a transfer.”

Aaryn smirked. “Oh, you heard about a damsel in distress and had to make sure you were around to save the next one?” She was playing it casual, but inside, Aaryn’s heart was pounding. She’d been Tethered for over three years now, and Thea had only been transferred a handful of months ago! If what she was saying was true, it had to be fate that had intertwined their paths.

Or maybe you’re just a bit of a romantic.

“Who’s to say it’s not you I need to save,” Thea taunted, crossing her arms.

The braids from her temples swayed against her lavender skin and kept her long, dark hair free from her face, and amongst the dark depths were short heather horns pointed cutely toward the sky.

She’d hate being called cute, which made Aaryn lean into the thought all the more.

“I don’t know. Maybe you can put that dagger to use to protect me one day,” Aaryn pondered, nodding toward Thea’s belt. It laid a few feet away and contained said dagger, as well as a baton and a sword, as was custom for the castle’s Second Guard. All temporarily shed while Thea spent her afternoon break visiting Aaryn. “My savior,” she drawled, teasing.

Much to her delight, the color of Thea’s cheeks deepened, and the guard cleared her throat and glanced away.

Her dragon snuffled again, this time curling his neck around Aaryn, separating her from Thea.

Thea sighed. “He’s going to like me one of these days.”

Aaryn chuckled and patted him on the neck before slipping free, scrubbing the brush in his favorite spot to appease him. If it also got her closer to Thea, well, two birds with one stone.

“I don’t know why he hasn’t taken to you.” Like I have, is what she didn’t say.

“Maybe he’s jealous,” Thea mused.

Aaryn lowered her brush. “Jealous of what? Two friends?” She nudged at the boundary between them, testing the waters with a gently-dipped toe.

Thea met her gaze, and Aaryn paused, as did the world around them, seemingly. Would Thea join her in the waters, or were they to dance around the subject forever as if at a Solstice Ball?

Thea’s lips parted, and Aaryn studied their shape, the bow of her top lip and the full bottom one. The pair of them were usually thinned in a line, but Aaryn had gotten them to curl up on the rare occasion with nothing but her own wit.

Only a few feet separated them, easily traversed, and Aaryn swore she could feel Thea’s intent to step forward.

Thea’s eyes had darkened, and it made her breath hitch.

“Thea—“

Suddenly, the bells of the clock tower rang out, shattering the moment.

“Great scales,” Thea swore, and rushed over to her things. “I’ve got to report back. Apologies—I lost track of time.”

They both always did, and neither of them spoke about why.

“I enjoyed your company, as always,” Aaryn told her. “Tomorrow, same time?”

Thea buckled her belt on, sword hanging by her side, dagger close at hand.

“Actually,” Thea said, lingering, as her hand went to a pocket. “Are you… free tonight?”

Aaryn’s heart leapt. “Yes.”

Thea sucked in a breath, lips parting softly. Aaryn tried not to stare.

“Well, that’s great. I’m also free. If you’d like to… here,” she said, and thrust a letter between them. “If it doesn’t greatly inconvenience you, meet me here? Around sundown.”

Aaryn accepted the letter, resisting the urge to tear it open immediately. “I’ll be there. Should I bring anything?”

“Just yourself will be more than enough,” Thea said, cheeks still that deeper mauve, still averting her gaze.