Guest Pavilion (1)

Eryx entered the building, and two guards I knew to be Southern Weres immediately closed the doors from the side. They remained on guard in their light leathers, bare-armed attire. I was told in battle that if they weren't in their wolf form, the Southern Weres would wear nothing but plaited leather skirts and shin pads.

They didn't wear the skirts now though. So, my source was questionable. Still, they were unmistakably Southern—not just from the difference in uniform but from the darker skin, hair, and eyes characteristic of those from the Kingdom of Sun and Fury.

They bowed their heads at Eryx and tried and failed at hiding their interest in me. With widened eyes, they stared after us. They didn't glower but looked more curious. It was odd.

I curled further into Eryx, unsure how I felt using him as a shield. It was him I should be protected from the most! And now that we were inside, there was no need to be in his arms.