The travel continues

The descent from the branch was another experience entirely. Ras carried me in his arms all the way down. He had jumped directly, and I had screamed. But against my better judgement, the landing was smooth and the fall soft. It was only ever like diving slowly underneath deep waters, except that we were in the air.

Again, I did not ask how he had done it. It didn't feel right for me to do so. I also tried to forget the fact that he was a Shadow Mage. And that he had seen me use light magic back at the Ravens' headquarters. I was not stupid enough to assume that he would not think anything of it, and that it was probably why he seemed so fixed on me as I danced.

It was such a careless move from me. But then again, how was I supposed to know that the captain of the mercenaries who saved me was supposed to be my fated enemy? Were we even enemies? By the nature of our magics, we were. But as human beings, I had yet to find out.

After what felt like an endless rambling from Lira, we moved on with our travel. The atmosphere was completely silent, save for Ras' constant whistling and the crunch of dead leaves and pebbles beneath our feet. I had thought that the werewolves, or my father's soldiers at the very least, would catch up to us because of how long we were stuck in that part of the forest. But by the grace of the goddess, we actually arrived at the forest exit without anyone or any monster blocking our paths.

Huh, perhaps the Mirages really did think they wanted nothing to do with us anymore. Perhaps Ras had scared them good.

A vast stretch of fields welcomed us when we finally got out of the reaches of Evernight Forest, the sunlight shining brightly upon tall blades of swaying grasses, resembling ocean waves rolling against summer gales. The sky was a clear blue, the clouds like thick clumps of cotton.

I breathed in the air, just realizing how heavy the air was inside the forest. I let it soothe my lungs, feeling as though I had not been out in the open for many long years.

But I was not the only one who felt that way. Lira and Ras also had their eyes closed, inhaling the crisp air deeply as much as they could.

"The horses should be around here somewhere," Ras said, stepping forward.

"You had horses ready?" I asked him.

His dark hair was tousled by the breeze, and he tried but failed to make it stay still by combing it back with his fingers. That probably took my breath away.

"I had one of the guys station some horses outside the forest. It would be weird if we decide to walk all the way to Creseia."

Creseia. That was the little town settled at the border of Orion, no one would expect to find the eldest princess there. And somehow I did mention to Ras that Lira and I were going there before things went downhill, when that Mirage suddenly snagged and teleported me miles above ground.

"Ah, the captain never fails to think ahead—" Wait, did I hear that correctly? "Hey... what do you mean, 'we'?"

At the exact moment I turned to his direction, he had popped out from the bushes with three horses following from behind him.

"I'll be going with you," he said flatly.

As Ras was checking the horses, their saddlebags, straps and saddles, Lira threw her hands in the air and blew a breath, saying, "I shall not bother to care. So long as you keep Rosette safe."

Lira apparently didn't also care about revealing my real name to him. Maybe she thought he could be trusted enough. Or maybe she really, really didn't care about anything anymore. What with all that had happened to us all throughout my supposed 'escape'. Now I was feeling bad.

Ras gave me a sidewards glance. "Rosette, huh? I rather prefer calling you Rosie."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever suits your liking, my lord." I took a few steps toward him. "Seriously, Ras, you don't have to do this. You've done so much for us already."

His eyes of black crystals glinted sharply, amused. He let go of the reins he was holding, fully facing me. "I am going there on an errand."

At that, my face heated up. I could feel my cheeks go red all over. I wanted the ground to swallow me so bad. I heard Lira snort, and that didn't help to soothe the embarrassment at all.

Ras leaned close, planting his palm at the crown of my head. "See, Rosie, since I thought that the three of us were going to the same town, why don't I just escort you and make sure the both of you get there safe and sound? After all, I had started playing guard for you, I should also just see to the end of this job and get it done perfectly. Don't you agree?"

I flicked his hand off halfheartedly, avoiding his gaze as I said, "Don't worry, I'll pay you by the end of the day."

His chuckle was filled with a playful delight. "Now, I won't say no to that."

I clicked my tongue, turning my back to him. A smile crept at the sides of my lips. "Smartass."

Ras' laugh rumbled, and that cocky grin on his face refused to go away even when he was helping us climb on each of our horses.

"I assume everyone knows how to ride a horse?" He asked as he got on his.

"Isn't it quite dumb of you to ask that now that we're up here?" Lira asked. She had an impassive expression even as she swiped her hands along her white steed's mane.

I pulled my caramel mare to Ras' direction so he could see the challenge in my eyes for himself. "Why don't we take the time to find out?"

The glimmer of dazed surprise in his eyes was the last thing I saw as I kicked the horse and snapped its reins, making it nearly fly through the fields.