27 Cinnamon and Cloves

The chorus of cheers rang up from the crowd of players standing in the middle of the flower fields. Weapons were raised and heads turned toward the sky, roaring their victory. I smiled and sank to my knees in relief, I turned to gaze at the hundred players who had joined us. Various guild banners hung above their heads as they all joined together in joy. I saw Aine standing before me, smiling and putting away her sword. I jumped up and ran to give her a hug.

"I'm so glad you're safe." I said, squeezing her. She huffed and returned the hug, rubbing my back.

"I can't believe you jumped down here after me!" She cried out. Her shoulders shook and I didn't blame her, she had come close to death. I laughed and rubbed the back of my neck.

"Well, I didn't really think. I just jumped." A throat cleared nearby. I looked up and saw Vane staring at me from the side, the sun was in his eyes and his silver hair glinted in the light. His deep gray eyes were dark and stormy. A small smile played at the corner of his lips. I smiled and walked up to him. I stopped a few feet away from him. I blushed looked up at him through my lashes.

"Thank you for coming for me." I said. Vane's expression did not change, his jaw ticked. Dark emotions pierced his gaze. He was suddenly moving toward me. He stopped inches away from me, he placed one hand on my cheek and brushed a lock of my hair to the side. Suddenly his arms reached out and gripped my waist, he pulled me flush against him and his lips descended upon mine.

I was too shocked to respond at first, I froze. His mouth was soft, and he tasted of cinnamon. Then I sighed into the kiss and leaned into him. A chorus of cheers rang out around us. My face heated and I pulled back. I looked around us, to see the grinning face of Lan standing nearby, and the cheers of the Scythes surrounding us. A brilliant smile lit Vane's face, my cheeks were bright red. I tried to step back away from him, but his grip was firm on my waist. His lips descended close to my ear.

"I had to get to you." His voice tickled my ear. I placed my hands on his chest and pushed myself back to look up at his face. His eyes resumed their haunted, emotional look. I nodded slightly to him. Giving him a small smile. I didn't know what to think right now, or how to feel. I didn't know if I'd forgiven him for anything. Yet, when I saw his face running down the hill toward me, I felt like I knew I'd survive.

The crowd closed in around us, pulling us apart and various soldiers wanted to shake our hands and shout their victory. A smile graced my face, I laughed with the soldiers in joy. I placed my sword on my back, the fighting officially over. The various guild leaders began to congregate in the center of the field. Axel, in his glimmering, thick armour raised his axe in a salute to us. I nodded to Vane and we began making our way over to him.

"The prodigies grace us with their presence!" His voice boomed. The leaders turned to face us. Many reached forward to shake our hands. There were seven guild leaders present. Their cursor had a flag of their guild and a star next to their name, indicating them as the leader.

"Axel! Just in time I see." I smirked and jabbed at him. He laughed good naturedly.

"Just in time to save your ass. And what a fine one it is." I laughed, not showing my bristle and he reached out a hand to shake mine. I took it. I ignored the glint in his eye that roved over my body. His palm squeezed mine firmly and slid along my palm. I smiled and pulled my hand away as gently as I could manage.

"It looks like the event has been cleared." Vane inserted himself into the conversation, before I could raise my fists.

"I'm sure we've all gained at least a few levels from this. Let's celebrate and recoup!" Axel announced, a cheer went up among the Scythes. I sighed. He was right, it's not as if we could do more training with out exhausted forces today.

We all gathered at the largest tavern in Mikado. It was a spacious building, with large windows for passersby on the street to look in. Various oak tables lined the inner room, there was a large bar, and glowing crystal orbs lined the walls for ambient lighting. The inside of the tavern was packed, various guild members occupied all of the chairs and tables surrounding the roaring fireplace. Many were standing around, as all of the chairs were occupied, nursing their drinks.

I occupied a table with over fifteen people and was sandwiched between Vane and Lan. Axel sat across from us, surrounded by the members of his inner circle. The ale was flowing freely, faces were flushed with the rush of alcohol. Sipping at the stein in my hand, I surveyed the room. The various guild members were scattered throughout the room, enjoying the revelry.

"Let's raise our glasses to Fayre and Vane, our newest members who slaughtered the Orc Chieftain!" Axel raised his stein and shouted in a booming voice.

"Cheers, Lass!" Lan shouted along with everyone in my ear, I smiled and raised my glass. Lan clapped me on the shoulder. A chorus went up around the room. Vane also raised his glass and waved. I smirked.

"You're just loving the attention." Leaning forward, I whispered in his ear. The smile that played at his lips grew wider. He winked at me. He leaned close to my ear, and I felt his warm palm rest on my lower back. I stiffened and straightened, he chuckled and tapped his glass against my own.

"Relax, enjoy." His voice was a low whisper in my ear. I shivered. My cheeks heated, and I thought back to our earlier kiss. The feeling of his warm lips on mine, the taste of cinnamon, the smell of cloves. The air grew warmer around me.

"Vane…" Trailing off, I merely clinked my glass against his and took a long swig. He laughed and rubbed small circles on my back with his palm. I gripped the handle of my glass until my knuckles were white.

"It's nice seeing them all so happy." Vane murmured. I nodded my agreement. Staring across the room at Aine, who was sipping on a drink and chatting to a couple of guild members. Their cursors were green – not criminals. Her face was flushed with drink, and she was leaning on the table slouching down. I giggled and nodded to her, Vane looked over and smiled.

"I'd say it's time to get the little one home." Vane said. Taking the opportunity to place distance between us, and placing my drink down on the table, I nodded and swung my leg over the bench to stand up. I walked over to Aine and the woman she was talking with.

"I think it's time for us to head out for the night, love." I placed my hand on her arm. She looked at me, her eyes looking slightly glassy. She nodded and hopped off the bar stool, she stumbled on her feet and I placed my hands out to steady her.

"Easy there." Vane chuckled. I snorted and hid my smirk behind my hand, leading Aine toward the door of the tavern. Pushing the door open, we poured out onto the street. The moon hung high in the air, illuminating the night sky. The night air was crisp, but tolerable.

"I don't know what you guys are on about, I'm fine!" Aine called out, raising her hand in the air, and nearly toppling over. Vane steadied her with his hand. I shook my head and laughed.

"Just fine, indeed!" I snorted. Aine scowled at me and stuck out her tongue. I giggled. I basked in the feeling, a successful day, laughter, cheer. How long had it been since I'd truly felt happy? Emily's face flashed in my minds eye; my expression grew somber again.

I felt warmth in my palm and looked down to see Vane entwining his fingers with mine. I looked up at his face, he smiled and squeezed my hand.

"Let's go home." He said softly. I nodded. With Aine in tow, we tottered off down the street.