บท 26: Chapter 24:
The tension in the hallway thickened, Citrus's grip on my arm like iron. I opened my mouth to speak again—or maybe to shout—but before I could, a shadow fell over us.
"Let her go."
The voice was calm but carried a weight of authority that sent a shiver down my spine. I turned my head to see Xenos standing a few steps away, his arms crossed and his eyes like molten steel.
Citrus didn't release me immediately. Instead, he turned his head lazily toward Xenos, a sly smile curling his lips. "Oh, look who decided to play the knight in shining armor," he drawled.
Xenos took a step closer, his gaze never wavering. "I won't say it again."
Citrus chuckled, the sound cold and mocking, but he finally let go of my arm, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. No need to get so worked up, Xenos." He looked at me one last time, his expression unreadable, before adding, "This isn't over, Sage."
With that, he turned and sauntered off down the hallway, as if nothing had happened.
I rubbed my arm where his hand had been, the imprint of his fingers still lingering on my skin. Xenos stepped closer, his eyes scanning me for any sign of harm.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer now.
I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "Yeah... I'm fine. Thank you."
He studied me for a moment longer, then sighed. "Stay away from him, Sage. He's more dangerous than you realize."
"I wasn't exactly trying to get close to him," I muttered, my voice tinged with frustration.
Xenos's expression softened just a fraction, but there was still an edge of worry in his eyes. "Just... be careful," he said, his tone almost pleading.
I nodded again, the weight of his words settling over me. Whatever Citrus wanted, it wasn't good—and I had a feeling this encounter was only the beginning.
Back at the tavern, the atmosphere was unusually lively. Alohi hummed to herself as she sifted through her wardrobe, pulling out dress after dress, each more extravagant than the last. "Cynfael deserves to see me at my absolute best," she declared, tossing a glittering gown onto her bed.
I, on the other hand, stood in front of my mirror, feeling both excited and a little nervous. Aurora fluttered around me, her tiny hands expertly adjusting the neckline of the soft lavender dress I'd chosen.
"You look stunning, Sage," Aurora said, her voice brimming with pride. "Cynfael won't be able to take his eyes off you."
I laughed lightly, smoothing the fabric nervously. "It's not about Cynfael, Aurora. I just want to look presentable for the dinner."
"Presentable?" Alohi scoffed, stepping into her dress and fluffing out the skirt. "This is Cynfael we're talking about. You need to dazzle, not just look 'presentable.'"
Aurora chimed in with a smirk, "She has a point, you know."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling at their enthusiasm.
As we finished getting ready, Xenos's deep voice called out from downstairs. "Are you two done yet? We don't have all night."
Alohi winked at me and whispered, "Someone's impatient."
We descended the stairs together, Alohi looking radiant in her shimmering dress, and me feeling a little more confident with Aurora's encouragement. Xenos stood by the door, dressed in his usual dark attire, his expression unreadable as he glanced at us.
"You clean up well," Alohi teased, nudging him playfully.
Xenos ignored her and looked directly at me. For a moment, his eyes softened, but he quickly turned away, opening the door. "Let's get going. Cynfael's waiting."
Aurora landed on my shoulder, whispering in my ear, "Tonight's going to be interesting."
I could only hope she was right.
I took a deep breath, standing at the base of the stairs. "Before we leave, I need to talk to Xenos. Alone," I said firmly, glancing at Alohi.
Alohi groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up in frustration. "Seriously? Could you not have your little lover's spat later? Cynfael is waiting for us, and I—" she stopped mid-sentence, her tone shifting to an exaggerated whine. "I've waited all day for this!"
"Just a few minutes, Alohi," I said, trying to suppress a smile.
"Fine!" Alohi sighed, crossing her arms. "But if you two are planning to confess your undying love or something, can you keep it under five minutes? Cynfael doesn't like waiting."
I ignored her teasing and motioned for Xenos to follow me to his office. Once inside, I closed the door behind us, my heart pounding.
"What's this about, Sage?" Xenos asked, his brow furrowed.
I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I pulled out the small glass vial of dried Brugmansia powder I'd prepared earlier. Walking over to the desk, I filled a glass with water and carefully sprinkled the powder inside, swirling it until it dissolved completely.
Xenos's frown deepened as he watched me. "What are you doing?"
Without answering, I took a needle from my pocket, pricked my finger, and let three small drops of blood fall into the mixture. The water took on a faint, shimmering hue as I stirred it carefully.
"Sage," Xenos said, his voice sharp now. "Explain."
I turned to face him, holding the glass out firmly. "Drink this."
His eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head. "No. Whatever you're trying to do, stop it right now."
"I'm curing you," I said, my voice steady. "This is the remedy Smokey told me about. It's going to work, Xenos."
He scoffed, stepping back. "And what if it doesn't? What if it makes things worse? Or hurts you in the process?"
"It won't," I said, taking a step closer. "I've thought this through, and I'm not letting you stay cursed any longer."
He stared at me, his jaw clenched, but I could see the conflict in his eyes.
"I'm not giving you a choice," I said, and before he could stop me, I pressed the glass into his hand.
"Sage, this is ridiculous—"
"Drink it!" I snapped, my voice breaking slightly. "Please."
He hesitated for a moment longer before finally raising the glass to his lips. With one last look at me, he drank the entire mixture in one go, wincing at the taste.
"There," I said, exhaling shakily. "Now we wait."
Xenos set the empty glass down, his expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have done that," he muttered, his voice low.
I crossed my arms, meeting his gaze. "Maybe not. But I did."
For a moment, silence filled the room, heavy and charged. Then Alohi's voice rang out from the hall. "Are you two done with your secret love potion nonsense? Cynfael might think we're standing him up!"
I couldn't help but laugh softly, breaking the tension. "We should go."
Xenos shook his head, muttering something under his breath as he followed me out of the office.
When we arrived at the castle, Alohi was the first to burst through the grand entrance, her excitement bubbling over. She spotted Cynfael across the room, standing tall in his pristine attire, his golden hair catching the light like it had a glow of its own. Without hesitation, she ran to him, flinging her arms around him in an embrace that caught everyone by surprise.
"Cynfael!" she exclaimed, planting a quick kiss on his cheek.
Cynfael blinked in shock but quickly smiled, his charm unwavering. "Well, that's certainly a greeting," he said, his tone teasing.
Alohi suddenly froze, as if just remembering where she was and who he was. "Oh my gods," she muttered, stepping back abruptly. "You're the heir prince—I mean, Your Highness. I shouldn't have…" She trailed off, her face turning an impressive shade of red.
Cynfael chuckled softly, waving off her embarrassment. "No need for formalities tonight, Alohi. Just Cynfael will do."
Meanwhile, Xenos and I stood back, both bowing slightly as protocol demanded. Cynfael nodded at us, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before his focus shifted to Alohi, who was still fumbling with apologies.
Dinner was extravagant, as expected in the royal castle. The dining hall was adorned with glittering chandeliers, long silk tablecloths, and an array of dishes that could feed an entire village. Alohi, clearly out to impress Cynfael, indulged heavily in the offerings, especially the fairy wine.
By the end of the night, she was leaning heavily against the table, giggling at Cynfael's every word. "You're just so…" she started, struggling to find the right adjective. "...regal!"
Cynfael raised an eyebrow but didn't seem bothered. "I think it's time you took a break from the wine," he said gently, standing and offering her his arm.
"Nooo," Alohi protested, though her words were slurred. "I'm fine. Completely fine."
But when she stumbled trying to stand, Cynfael caught her effortlessly. "I'm taking her to a nurse," he said, addressing no one in particular. "She'll be fine by morning."
"Good luck," Xenos muttered under his breath.
After they disappeared, the dining hall began to empty. The royals and guests slowly trickled out, leaving Xenos and me lingering behind. I needed some air, so I made my way to the castle's backyard, the cool night breeze a welcome relief after the warmth of the hall.
The gardens were peaceful, illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight. I wandered along the stone path, eventually stopping by a small fountain. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Couldn't stay inside either?" Xenos's voice was quiet, almost hesitant.
I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. His usual stern expression had softened under the moonlight, and for a moment, he looked almost...relaxed.
"Too much noise," I said simply, turning back to the fountain.
He stepped closer, stopping beside me. "Fairy wine isn't exactly known for its subtlety," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
I couldn't help but laugh lightly. "Poor Cynfael."
Xenos glanced at me, his expression shifting slightly. "You handled yourself well tonight," he said after a moment.
"Thanks," I replied, looking down at my hands.
We stood there in silence, the sound of the fountain filling the space between us. It wasn't uncomfortable, but there was an unspoken tension I couldn't quite name.
"Why did you come out here?" I finally asked, glancing at him.
"Same reason you did, I guess," he said, his gaze fixed on the water. "Needed some air."
Something in his tone made me wonder if there was more to it than that, but I didn't press him. Instead, I turned my attention back to the night sky, letting the peacefulness of the moment settle over us.
The garden was quiet, the only sounds the gentle rustle of leaves and the bubbling of the fountain. I turned to Xenos, watching the way the moonlight softened his sharp features. My heart was racing—not from nerves, but from determination.
I needed to know if it had worked.
"Xenos," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He looked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly in question. Before he could say anything, I stepped closer, the space between us disappearing in an instant.
"What are you—"
I didn't let him finish. I reached up, threading my fingers through the lapels of his coat, and pulled him down into a kiss. It wasn't hesitant or uncertain. It was deep, passionate, and filled with everything I hadn't dared to say aloud.
For a moment, he froze, his body tense against mine. Then, like a dam breaking, he kissed me back with a fervor that left me breathless. His hands gripped my waist, steadying me as if he was afraid I'd vanish if he let go.
When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing hard. I looked up at him, searching his face for any sign of pain, of discomfort. Instead, his eyes were wide with shock, his lips slightly parted.
"It worked," I murmured, more to myself than to him.
Xenos blinked, realization dawning on his face. He looked down at his hands, turning them over as if expecting the blue curse to creep across his skin—but there was nothing.
"Sage…" he started, his voice rough with emotion.
I smiled softly, a mixture of relief and triumph flooding through me. "I told you I'd cure you."
For once, he didn't argue. Instead, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. And in that moment, under the moonlit sky, it felt like we had conquered more than just a curse.
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