Page 62 of The Oracle of Dusk

“Madam fairy?”

Theron got up from his seat and leapt from the terrace. He landed painfully, using his magic to heal himself in a rush of heat. Following the start of the treeline, he spied the small woman sneaking rather adeptly through the undergrowth. She made it to the wall encircling the palace and looked around, only to squeak in terror when she noticed him behind her.

“Merciful Triad! What… what are you doing here, Your Majesty?” She stood abruptly, dusting the hem of her skirt.

“Oh, I wasn’t aware this area was off-limits.” He smiled the more uncomfortable she appeared. Either she was the greatest actress in Trisia, or she was simply very bad at keeping her thoughts from showing on her face.

“It’s not, it’s just… well, would you mind coming further off the main path? Out of sight of the patrol about to come around the corner?”

Theron entered the underbrush. She cringed at every snapped twig and rustle of greenery. When he was about halfway, she grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, gesturing wildly for him to duck. He dutifully obeyed, but not as well as she’d wanted if her frantic look was anything to go by.

“Apologies, Your Majesty but…” She pushed him down onto the ground, covering him with her body just as the patrol passed by, gossiping about some high society scandal or another.

He blinked in surprise as she crouched over him, all her attention focused on the soldiers above. Theron had never been so thoroughly ignored by a woman who had essentially pinned him. Her long, pointed ears twitched as she listened, her slender neck straining as she kept them in her sights. It took a great effort of will to keep his eyes from following her graceful collarbones down to her cleavage. Was this her attempt at seduction?

The woman sighed when they were alone once more. Her sparkling peridot gaze searched his. A blush followed shortly.

“I—”

“Theron.”

“I—what?”

“My name is Theron.”

The strangest expression passed over her face before she swallowed, her gaze turning from his.

“…Aurora.”

“Was there a reason you were skulking about back here, Aurora?” he asked, tucking an errant blonde strand behind her ear. He was gratified to feel it twitch, to see a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Do you vow to keep it secret?” she asked, chewing her bottom lip.

“That depends. What do I get in return?” he asked, deepening the tone of his voice suggestively.

But his little fairy didn’t take the bait. She pushed off of him and offered him her hand.

“If I’m right about something, then would treasure suffice?”

He raised his brows, declining her aid and getting to his feet on his own.

“Yes, that would suffice. You have my vow.”

“I’m going to escape. But first, I need something to protect myself with.”

Far be it for him to tell her that people like her never escaped the vivarium. She seemed so certain of herself. Whatever the outcome, he was happy to be entertained for the afternoon.

“Then lead the way, Aurora.”

She frowned at him.

“You don’t think I can escape from here.”

“I said nothing of the sort.”

“You don’t have to. The pity is written into your gaze,” she said, turning away from him.

“I meant no offence. But a cycle of chaos has begun. And you must know that—”

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