Night Out

At night as I lay in bed, my mind couldn't seem to rest. For how long had Tynan been working for Cozbi? He didn't look much older than me. Could I trust him? I understood having spies, or I thought I did, but why did she have a detailed map of the palace too? Why choose me?

In the midst of these thoughts, morning came with a rasp on my door. Maids flooded in and the day repeated per usual.

* * * * *

Many days followed with Tynan's lessons and me mostly being in my room otherwise. I hadn't seen Cozbi or any royal since that day and Tynan told me they had gone to Cozbi's kingdom to offer condolences for her sister's death. When I went out of my room that day, the last thing I expected was to see Marcus, with his arrogant and perfect face.

"Having the time of your life serving a royal, right traitor?"

To my and surely his surprise, I completely ignored him and went my way. I knew there was a chance he'd follow so I made my way to the other side instead of the study. When I was sure he left, I made my way to the secret hall. Tynan as usual sat there when I arrived. Even in the most hidden places of the palace, the gathering thunder could be heard. "The weather gods are angry today, aren't they?" I said, sitting down.

* * * * *

At night with the rain still pouring, I heard a faint gasp from somewhere. I jumped out of bed, the hair on my neck rising. The tiles under my sofa gave a loud thud. I winced, terrified. "Hey, it's me." Tynan whispered hoarsely.

I slowly moved the sofa to the side as Tynan appeared. His hair was messy and he was panting. I narrowed my eyes, unsure of what to make of his presence in my room.

"There's a secret passage to my room?" I didn't know how I felt about him knowing it.

"To them all. Many have been blocked though. This is part of the few remaining."

"Creepy," I muttered. "Don't tell me there's another lesson-"

He interrupted me, "Shhh. There's guards back at your door."

I clicked my tongue disapprovingly.

He shrugged and handed me a cloak. "We're going for a little adventure."

It took little convincing to get my bored ass to agree. With a pounding heart we slid under the shadows and out of the palace. It was only when we were out on the streets when the fear began to spread through me. Could I even trust Tynan? What if someone finds out? A shiver went through me.

Tynan put his arm around me, "Are you cold?"

In the midst of my fears, I had almost took no notice of the foggy streets. The last I came here, I was as free as ever. Now almost two weeks had passed and I was bound by the charges on me for murder and the allegiance I swore to the victim's sister.

𝘙𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘴𝘳𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.

"You look troubled," Tynan frowned. "I never wanted to force you to come. We can-"

"No, it's not that," I looked down.

Tynan smiled, "Thinking of running away aren't you?"

I looked up, tears already brimming in my eyes.

His smiled dropped into concern. His grip on me tightened rather harshly. "As someone who nearly grew up here or as your um... companion I guess, I strictly suggest you to stay. You don't know how ruthless these dashing royals can be." He made me look at him. "Promise me, Asra." He had never addressed me by my name before, which sounded like honey on his tongue. That still didn't distract me from the troubled expression his hazel eyes held or the fact that he wasn't any less dashing than any royal.

"We're here," Tynan exclaimed suddenly.

We stood in front of a familiar building. It was the inn from my first day here. The day I made my first enemy, Marcus. I hesitated going in.

"Doesn't Marcus work here?" I asked, then felt stupid.

Tynan laughed. "Work? Do you think his arrogant ass can work somewhere?" He said bitterly.

𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴.

"His uncle owns it. Not blood related. It's no simple inn ," He grinned as we walked in.

I found the same man behind the counter from that day. I hoped he didn't remember me as I looked down to hide my face. Tynan walked to the man and laughed with him as he gestured to a table on the corner.

"No no, I'm here to show my friend the special places," He told the bartender.

I got constant thoughts that Marcus might appear from behind the counter in his peasant clothes and cause a scene again. Tynan led me through a dirty looking door to the most chaotic room I had ever encountered. It was hard to believe I was still in the land of the 𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘩. Neon lights filled the room with yet another bar, smaller than the one outside. A young looking man beamed as he shook cocktails and swayed with the music. It was like a sophisticated and richer version of a club. I had never been more tempted. Before my gut told me otherwise, Tynan and I entered the loud room.

"What is this place?"

"Somewhere for the 𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘩 to escape the tight reality."

"The royals come here?"

"No, silly. They have other means of entertainment. I doubt many know about it."

"Does Marcus know?" The fear of encountering him rose again.

"He might. But he's too above everyone else to party with anyone but the royals." He held my hand to lead me to the center of the room as we continued talking and dancing. It really was an escape, one I didn't expect to enjoy.

* * * * *

We had a blast that night that when I woke up the next morning the music still thrummed in my ear and my head hurt from being exhausted. The sun was brighter than other mornings. Actually, it wasn't morning at all.

That afternoon I hurried to Tynan without having breakfast; disadvantages of waking up late in the palace after partying all night.

I was surprised to find Cozbi sitting in the great hall. This wasn't the usual time for lessons but Tynan and I met anyway, mostly talking or laughing but Cozbi didn't seem bothered by my being here at the time.

"I hope you had fun last night." She said slowly turning to face me.

Was she mad?

Then she smiled and added, "I thought you could take some break from lessons and being locked in the palace."

My stomach dropped. I felt foolish for thinking Tynan wanted us to hang out. It was just another order he was following. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I managed, "I did. Thank you."

"I hope you tried their dried beef, it is my favourite. Isn't the garden beautiful too?"

I looked at her, confused. I didn't recall any gardens. Just then Tynan appeared. "She said her favourite was the desert," He said and I smiled, nodding.

After Cozbi left, I sat down on my chair. "Hey! What was all that? Garden? Desert?" I said, hiding the disappointment I had felt earlier.

Tynan looked at me slowly, "She doesn't have to know about our little paradise, does she?" He winked.

We sat there drinking some tea he had snuck for later. The days were getting colder as November proceeded. Tynan broke the silence.

"Not necessary but just so you know, it wasn't Cozbi's plan," He said, surprising me by him saying her name.

"What?" My voice came out more desperate than I wished.

"She just somehow got to know about our absence and she well... wants you to show you she cares. Well she does. But that was my plan," His voice sounded sincere.

"So you've started using names," I grinned.

"Learnt from the worst," He shrugged, his tender expression changing into a mischievous grin.

After the lesson, I left the hall with a giddy feeling in my heart.

At night, I decided to sleep in instead of lessons to catch up on the sleep I'd missed the previous day.