Not Alone

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"A healer?" The first man snorted. "We haven't seen one of those around here. Go back on the streets where you belong." There was a sharp gasp, followed by a gurgling sound and strained breathing.

The man's laugh rippled across the room. "Do you know who I am?"

Carissa jerked, and Viltus' grip on her tightened. Was the man being hurt? She couldn't just stand here when this was her fault, could she? "Viltus?" she whispered.

Gray melded with shadows as her eyes adjusted. He shook his head. "Shh."

The conversation became too murmured and strained for her to hear anything.

"Sir?"

The sound of the faint, sweet-pitched voice coming from the kitchen made her muscles clench. What if the little boy were hurt? Or if the man chasing her suspected something?

"What?" Her pursuer's snarl rent the air.

"I–I didn't see a healer. I did see a man and a woman. They came right through the door you came through."

"And where did they go?"

"Somewhere to the front. Perhaps they're getting a room."

"If you're tricking me boy..."

Carissa strained against Viltus' grip. If only she could peer through the door, see if he needed help. But Viltus' grip remained unyielding.

"No, sir. I swear on the King's amulet."

There was a pause.

"Very well," he muttered. "But if you're lying, all of you will pay dearly."

Someone murmured something. Footsteps tapped against stone. After a moment, the swish of cloth, clank of pots, and clatter of work resumed.

Viltus' grip on her didn't loosen.

She uncurled one arm from her satchel to push against his chest. Now that the immediate danger was over, she was uncomfortably aware of how his arm felt tucked against the curve of her waist. "Viltus—"

"Shh."

She hoped her glare would pierce the darkness. "But he left."

"Or he might be waiting for us to come out of hiding."

Oh. She shifted her feet, until her foot nudged the bucket and she stilled. "But there's barely enough room to breathe in here."

"Ah. I have that effect on many women."

She jerked her palm from him, reminding herself a lady never slapped. "You're a cur."

He chuckled. "So you've told me." Each rise of his chest as he inhaled pushed him closer to her, crunching the satchel between them. At this point, it was unlikely the letters would fetch any coins.

She suppressed a shiver, even as heat rose to her cheeks. But perhaps that was just the warmth of the cramped closet and the ovens in the kitchen. "Then at least remove your hands from my person."

"And allow you to trip again? I think not."

She huffed. "Very well."

As they waited, the lines of his face turned from gray shadows to crisp edges, until she could see his face with clarity despite the darkness. He stared at her just as intently as she stared at him. Though she hadn't been running for several minutes, still her chest heaved and her heart pounded.

She swallowed and dropped her gaze to his chest, tilting her head down so she wouldn't be tempted to glance up at him again. For some reason, gazing into his eyes felt invasive, especially when their oceanic depths contained so many emotions, emotions she couldn't begin to decipher. Or perhaps she didn't want to.

Regardless, she had to focus on something else. The slick sheen of sweat gluing her dress to her back. The knotting cramp in her legs that urged her to move. The heat-thickened air slipping between her lips.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed until Viltus shifted. She lifted her head and blinked. His hand settled against wooden door before nudging it open so gently the creak of the hinges was inaudible.

The light pierced her eyes like needles, until its intensity dimmed. When he crept out, she wavered a bit before leaning against the doorframe for support. He took a few more steps, gaze scanning the busy kitchen. Finally, he gestured for her to come.

She slipped the satchel strap across her shoulders before taking a wobbling step towards him. Her knees suddenly buckled and she would have fallen had she not grasped a fistful of his shirt. She felt like a newly born foal to his steed. He pressed a hand to the small of her back, but kept his gaze trained on the kitchen staff. She was grateful he didn't make any comments about her clinging to him.

She wriggled her toes, sending a wave of prickles up her legs. After a moment of shifting her feet, she stepped away from him and his hand slipped from her back. Though her legs quivered slightly, they didn't wobble as they had before.

His gaze finally swerved to hers. "We should leave through the back door again."

"But the kitchen staff..."

"Is too busy to take note of us. And though they may report our appearance, I doubt they'd detain us. Should they summon the man, we'll be long gone. And he went to the front to search for us. We're more likely to be recognized or found that way." Without another word, Viltus drew his shoulders back, left the safety of the hallway, and strode towards the backdoor.

She gulped a fortifying breath before following.

Fires roared and crackled as men tended them. Women stirred bubbling cauldrons. The boy glanced up from his mopping to offer her a nod. She passed a long table, trying to appear confident in hopes she'd be invisible.

A woman mincing vegetables glanced up as Carissa passed. Though her auburn hair was lovely as it gleamed with firelight, the sour twist of her mouth dimmed her beauty.

Carissa flashed her an apologetic smile before stepping into the back alley with Viltus.

The moisture-laden air felt like ice in comparison with that of the kitchen. She held her palm out, and sprinkles of water dotted her skin. It seemed it would rain soon. She squinted up at the sky, churning with clouds. How long had it been since Viltus had secreted her to his house that morning?

Viltus scooped up his healer robe from behind the clay jar and curled his fingers around her wrist.

Fire grinded against her skin, and she jerked back from him.

He frowned before his face cleared in understanding. "Your injury. Forgive me. I'll see to it tonight."

She cradled her injured forearm against her chest. So she would return home with him? Would she be safer with him than she was out here?

Something between anguish and compassion softened his face. He extended a hand towards her. "Trust me."

Her gaze flicked to his. "You came after me."

He withdrew his hand to run his fingers through his damp hair. "So I did."

"But why?"

He huffed. "I'm not sure."

She folded her arms as best she could with one injured. "Then I'm not sure I want to go with you."

His lips lifted as eyes sparkled, and she imagined that was what the sunlight looked like when it danced against the ocean's waters. "Is that so?"

Her silence was enough to inform him she meant business.

He chuckled and shook his head. "If you truly want to wander Zonah at night—alone—be my guest." He turned and strode down a different alley, a proud swagger to his step.

Well. That hadn't gone as planned. He was supposed to give in and tell her why he came after her.

She glanced down the other alleyways. It seemed she and Viltus were alone. If she chased and followed him, he'd see it as a sign of submission. She must be obstinate and wait him out. If he had come back for her once, surely he'd come back for her again. And then he'd answer her question.

She glared at Viltus' back until he rounded a corner and disappeared. The other alleyways were completely empty. At least, they appeared to be. The wind tossed her hair. As matted as it was from being left unbound, her silken strands felt more like spider webs than locks of hair. Goosebumps shimmered down her arms. What if her pursuer came back here to look for her?

A door slammed somewhere in the alleyway to her right. Her heart jerked against her chest, like it was seeking release, and she dashed after Viltus, her satchel slapping against her hip.

Though she'd thought being alone would be for the best, perhaps she was wrong.

***

Author's Note: Today, I was notified that my story is going to be featured, so I wanted to give a huge thanks to all my readers. If it weren't for your votes and comments, this story might not have been spotted by a Wattpad team member in the first place. So thank you! :D

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