Tensions rise

My mouth was agape. "How come you didn't tell me?"

Ras threw a nonchalant shoulder in the air. "It was clear that you've drawn the line on that, so I figured it was not my place to ask."

I heard a scoff from behind me, it was Lira's. "But you've figured that you could stick around and find out."

The captain's lips tightened into a straight line in guilt. "Well, yeah… that's part of it, just a little."

I shook my head at him. "I can't believe you were lying the whole time."

"Hey, there's a difference between lying and not invading your desire for privacy," he said, making me rethink what I'd said. "And I did not lie when I told you that I would protect you throughout this travel. I am not someone who goes back on his promises, Rosie."

I bit the inside of my cheek, regret filling me up. What was wrong with me? If anything else, between the two of us I was the one who had tricked him.

I met his eyes. "Forgive me—"

I could not finish what I wanted to say. Galen cut me off and grabbed hold of my wrist, pulling me toward him. He stepped in front of me, and I could see nothing but his back. "Then I suppose the promise has been fulfilled, Captain of the Ravens. Though I appreciate that you've ensured the princess' safety, I will now be taking her back with me."

I attempted to break free, but Galen's grip was resolute. "I said nothing about agreeing to return with you, Galen, so let me go."

"Your Highness, for the sake of Orion and its people, you shall do as I say," he said, his voice low and cold as ice.

Once more, I attempted to release myself from his grasp, nearly thrashing as I did. However, the more I tried it, the more Galen's fingers tightened around my wrist.

I winced. "You're hurting me!"

"Galen, that is enough, please," Lira begged, "it doesn't have to be this way. Let Rosie go and we'll sit down to talk about this, reach and agreement of some kind."

"That was what I'd been going for earlier, Lirajane," Galen replied harshly. "But Her Highness had made it clear that she will leave me no choice but to force her."

A yelp escaped from my lips due to the pain. "G-galen… it hurts."

Before I knew it, I heard the sharp sound of metal sliding against metal. I took a peak from Galen's back and saw the tip of Ras' blade, glinting directly at the point between Galen's unflinching gaze.

Shadows swirled in Ras' eyes, making them darker than black. He was clearly angry, but I was yet to guess what had set him off this way. And if I could, I'd wager that he had grown to care for me that he would be this mad for my sake. Or maybe he was only doing this because it was part of his job, like he'd said.

Either way, I would not deny that even I was scared of the expression that he was making at the moment.

His voice sent chills up my spine as he said, "Release her, Grand General, if you know what's best for you."

I could imagine the calculated smirk on Galen's face when he replied with, "I've no business taking orders from a mere mercenary from Cygnus."

Ras tilted his head, looking mildly impassive. "This mere mercenary seems to know that this is not how a noble knight is supposed to treat a woman."

"You don't know anything," Galen retorted. "We've been friends since we were children."

Ras twisted his blade, the sharp edge almost grazing Galen's chin. "You think that gives you the right to cause her pain? That is a messed up privilege, my lord."

"Sounding like a smart ass, aren't you?" Galen's tone was laced with venom. "Don't preach your righteousness on me, Captain, like you're any better than me. When in fact, you are much worse. Ah, how long has it been since 'that' incident? Three years, I presume."

The last part had clearly set off Ras' rage further, for flames lit up in those dark pools. "Shut your mouth."

"No, you shut your mouth," Galen said, "I am warning you, do not meddle in things that do not concern you."

A deep chuckle rumbled in Ras' throat. "I'm afraid I already have."

It happened too quick. There was a loud explosion, dust blowing into our faces. There was nothing left of the door and its pitiful diamond shaped glass decorations.

Lira and I were coughing, both of us too shocked to register what had happened. However, when I looked around, I saw that Ras and Galen had disappeared from where they had been standing.

And then the situation finally sinked in, my eyes going wide. "Oh no. No, no, no, no!"

"Ah," Lira's shoulders dropped as she sighed heavily, "They're going to kill each other, aren't they? We should probably just let them."

"Lira!'

"What?" She threw her hands in the air. "The captain's brought some time for us, let's make a run for it."

I stared at her, aghast that such a thought even crossed her mind.

She sighed again, in surrender, seeing my horrified expression. "Fine, let's stop them. But if it proves impossible, then we'll make a run for it. A chance has presented itself—"

"I am going to stop you right there," I told her, "will you help me or not?"

"Ah yes, the two of us, stopping two experienced warriors from gutting each other," Lira was grinning sarcastically, her eyes wide in a manic way, "we can definitely do it."

"Lira—"

"Whatever, it's not like I didn't say this was a stupid idea," she said, stepping aside and stretching her arm outward. "We'll be lucky if we don't die."

I ignored her remarks and proceeded to go outside. And the scene that met me was that of chaos and destruction.

I gasped, all hope seeping away. "Goddess end me."