“The owner is leaving town for a while. He had to close up shop.”
I shrugged my shoulders, “Get what you need?”
“I suppose so,” he replied whilst walking ahead on the street. “I have a few more errands to run back at the palace.”
“Being the prince and all, don’t you have people to do these things for you?” I asked.
He laughed. “Why get someone to do a job you can always do better yourself? And it’s a good excuse to get out of the palace for a while.”
“I don’t mean to pry.”
“Valid questions deserve valid answers,” Hadrian replied, walking off without another word. I followed him, but not until I risked one more look back at the bow. But the dirtied windows only illuminated my own reflection. My face alight with want.
THE MIDDAY SUN became unbearable. My skin prickled with discomfort under the thick clothing as the warmth of the day shone down on me. The heavy material was stiff and impractical for such warm weather. During similar days in Horith, it was rare for clothing to be worn, or at least so much. I wanted nothing more than to rip the tight top from my body and allow the breeze to tickle across my bare chest.
Hadrian had stopped briefly at the end of the bridge and turned to the river we’d just passed over. He walked down the carved steps that’d been cut into the stone wall beside the bridge, following down to a platform that extended out into the water. It was crystal clear in the daylight, its pale blue surface allowing the rays of light to cut through it. It was like looking through a rippling window, one that was clean and not at all like that of the empty shop we’d left.
Hadrian reached the edge of the platform, knelt before the water and reached his hands into it. He cupped silvery liquid and lifted it over his face until it trickled down his cheeks. It was a good face, strong and sharp. Perfectly even on both sides. As the rivulets of water ran down, clinging to Hadrian’s lashes, it was clear just how handsome he was.
I didn’t need an invite to join him, the lure of the fresh water was enough for me to run down to his side and mirror his actions. The cobbled floor was rough against my knees as I bent towards the water and splashed it onto my arms and the back of my neck.
I released a sigh of pleasure.
“Fancy a swim?” Hadrian asked. The urge to throw myself into the river was hard to ignore, my body craved its slippery embrace.
“I wish…” I replied, the sun warming my wet face.
“Well, I do not see anything stopping us!”
“Can’t swim, never learned,” I answered.
Hadrian stopped and turned to me. “You cannot swim?” There was something about his tone that suggested he didn’t believe me. That and his one raised brow.
“That’s what I said, wasn’t it?” I snipped, my embarrassment getting the best of me. “But I love water. The ocean is my favourite part of the Olderim, I just admire it from afar.”
“Well, if training goes well. I will teach you.”
“Thank you, but truly you don’t have to. It’s a skill I don’t need back home. And I’m sure you’re busy with other duties.” I pushed on my knees to stand.
Hadrian looked up at me through his long lashes, biting at his bottom lip. “I would not offer if I did not have the time, Zac.” He rubbed another splash of water on his arms then stood up.
“Of course,” I bowed, turning back to the stone steps that lead to the main street.
“Hold on just a moment,” Hadrian called. I could hear the slap of his boots as he chased up the steps after me. “Is that a yes or a no?”
“It’s a maybe,” I replied. “And my name is Zacriah.” Only Petrer called me Zac, but I didn’t want to say that aloud.
“Maybe is just a polite way of saying not a chance.”
“For a Prince, you are pretty clever,” I said, the ale gave me the confidence to be abrupt and honest.
“For a farm boy, you are a pretty good liar.”
I didn’t respond. We both knew what he was getting at and it didn’t need to be mentioned again.
***
IT DIDN’T TAKE long for us to reach the palace. The streets of Thalor were still empty, which aided us in reaching the final bridge and passing to the palace gates quickly. Even in broad daylight they were still as impressive and grand as they seemed during the black of night. Two guards opened the gate for Hadrian, who thanked them. Hadrian began to talk with a familiar looking guard. Fadine. I stayed back and watched from a slight distance as he took her hand in his to shake. “Fadine, I must admit that I did not expect to see you on gate duty.”
“It was this or cleaning the stables, and frankly, I’d spew pretty much everywhere if I did the latter,” Fadine replied, her long, black hair tied into a bun on the top of her head. The flecks of grey even more evident in the sunlight.
She was dressed in the same uniform I wore. Purple and brown leathers, except for the rose gold scaled armour and metal that encased her strong legs and arms.
Whilst they spoke, I took a better glance at her helmet, admiring it from afar. Twisting metal designs extended from the helm giving her an air of importance, a dramatic difference from the shorter horns of the guard that stood next to her.
“I heard I’m not the only one who has pissed off Commander Alina.” She gestured to where I stood, her dark eyes glaring at me then back to Hadrian. “You know, I would say the entire guard has heard about it. They all seem impressed. Not that it takes much to impress this bunch of idiots.”
Hadrian laughed.
“What did you do then?” Hadrian asked. “You must have annoyed her to get placed on gate duty.”
Fadine brushed a loose strand of hair behind her pointed ear. “What didn’t I do? Your little friend has put her in the foulest of moods; you only need to breathe around her to get on her wrong side today.”
“Right…” I could tell by his face he didn’t believe her. “But what is it you did, Fadine? I like to believe I know you well enough to know that you enjoy stepping on Alina’s toes, especially when she is the most vulnerable to fall for it.”
Fadine’s eyes rolled, she shook a long finger at Hadrian and tutted, “Nosey, nosey…” her voice dropping to a whisper, she seemed to be one for dramatics. My type of girl.
“I may, or may not have caused a tad, incy wincy brawl in our quarters at lunch, which may or may not have resulted in Dameaon being sent to Healer Browlin with a bloodied nose.”
“I am guessing he deserved it?” Hadrian replied, his face alight, amused by the whole story.
Fadine’s hand rested on her adored hip, “Of course he deserved it!”
Hadrian raised both hands. “If you say so.”
“I think it’s time you and your little friend go inside before Commander comes looking. We wouldn’t want her seeing a guard talking to the prince, oh the scandal,” she giggled.