The village was in sight by late afternoon. There had been no further signs of any warriors or travelers, though they hadn't eased their pace. They finally let their mounts slow to a walk when they were just outside the village, not wanting to draw more attention to themselves by appearing on edge and in a hurry, although Azael still felt the prick of watchful eyes.

    Perhaps they should have brought Kahari with them, given how her presence had eased a Human's apprehension before. He did his best to appear unintimidating regardless, granting small smiles to any Human who caught his gaze. None of them looked at him in recognition for which he was thankful, but also disappointed.

    He'd never felt detached from his people in Arcan, but that didn't mean they felt the same. A King's face should be well known to his people. Or rather, a future King's. How could he expect his subjects to entrust him with protecting their homes and lives if they didn't even know what he looked like?

    "You're quiet," Tissaia murmured. "What are you thinking about?"

    Azael swallowed, the empty space on his hip where Orilight had been now leaden with its absence. "That I need to spend more time among my people. I'm grateful they don't recognize us at this moment, but don't you think it's important for a King or Prince's face to be well known to their people? And vice versa, my people should be more well known to me."

    "I agree. Has it given you ideas for when you return to Arcan?"

    He didn't miss the pointedness of her wording. "Yes. I think I'll spend less time in Arcan when I can spare it. But with what that male claimed about my father...I'm not sure how much time that will be."

    "Have you ever thought about usurping him?"

    "I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind, but that's not how I want to inherit his crown."

    "Even if it's in the best interest of your kingdom?"

    Azael glanced to the side of the street as a small girl pointed at them with a sudden exclamation. Her mother snatched her arm and drew her back, her lips moving in a firm admonishment before she cast a distrusting look at the Fae.

    "Many tyrants have come into power with sweet lies and false promises, claiming their actions were in the best interest of their kingdom," he answered quietly. "I will not be one of them."

    "Your father could live another thousand years yet. Maybe even two." 

    "I'll only be two-thousand years then myself. At the prime of my life. That would be a good age to become King."

    "And until then you'll just remain in Mavron's shadow, letting him overturn every decision you make because of his petty spitefulness?"

    Azael didn't answer. He knew his reasons for his decisions, but to help Tissaia understand would take more time than they currently had. No, he didn't intend to remain in his father's shadow forever. This entire journey had proven to him over and over again that he should be doing more for his people, and he would.

    But he couldn't take away the one thing that gave his father's life any worth. Much as he disliked the male, he was still his father, and he was the only family Azael had left. Somewhere deep within himself was the little boy who had once looked up to Mavron and found no shame in resembling him.

    He would come up with something though. He couldn't allow his people to suffer because of his own sentiment. Perhaps there would be a way to give his father the illusion of being King, while taking all of a King's responsibilities onto himself.

    It wouldn't take much to sway the counselors to side with him, once they overcame their sense of principle, and if he worded it just right, his father might agree too. And in the back of his mind, a little nagging voice whispered that it might be even easier if he had someone at his side to help him.

    Azael ignored the voice as they reached the inn and dismounted. Two young men came running from the stables and took the reins of their horses. "Wait here," Azael whispered to Tissaia, then swung down. Talarion joined him while Kaius remained on the horse, and the two of them stepped into the inn.

    They were instantly greeted by the scent of roasting meat and ale, as the main floor of the inn appeared to double as a tavern. A few of the patrons glanced up at them, but quickly went back to their meals and drinks when they took note of their pointed ears. Azael and Talarion stepped up to a counter that was peppered with chips and deep scratches.

    A stout, middle-aged woman was behind it, filling another customer's mug with amber liquid. She set the pitcher aside and turned to them. "How can I help ye lads?" She asked, the words thick and slurred. From the scent of her, she'd consumed almost as much ale as her patrons combined.

    "We need two rooms," Talarion answered, then shot Azael a dark look that insinuated he shouldn't even think about asking who he'd be sharing with. "Preferably with two beds in each, but we can make do with cots or lounges if there's any rooms with those instead."

    "Aye, my inn takes all sleeping preferences into account. Might have a bit of hard luck trying to find your specifications though. Been lots of refugees and travelers coming through of late and we're about full up."

    Talarion sighed, then nodded. "Give us what's open. We'll be moving on soon anyway."

    The woman was already lugging a thick, leather-bound book out from beneath the counter. She let it fall with a thud and cracked it open. Azael ignored the spider that scuttled out from between a few pages. The woman scanned over her list of accommodations for several minutes, humming faintly to herself as she drummed her fingers atop the counter.

    Then, she appeared to find what she was looking for. She thumped her finger onto one of the listings with a triumphant grin. "I believe these might do ye pleasantly. They should have the furnishing ye require and if my memory serves me right, the rooms be joined by a doorway." She produced two partially rusted keys and rattled off the room numbers. "Will ye be wanting a hot meal as well?"

    "Yes, for four if it's not too much trouble," Talarion replied.

    From one of the many concealed pockets in his suit, he produced a handful of bronze coins. The woman's eyes grew large, but to her credit, the amount she charged them came across as quite reasonable. She pocketed the money with a sharp glare at any of the other customers who looked her way.

    Azael narrowed his eyes as the patrons instead looked to them. He was not in the mood for any attempted robberies tonight, despite knowing none of these Humans would be able to break past his shields, which he thoroughly intended to place around his room. Still, it would be better to avoid any conflicts altogether.

    With half a thought, he drew a silver coin from his own pocket. He pushed it to the woman with a crooked smile. "That will cover another drink for everyone in this room, right?"

    The woman grinned as she claimed the coin. "Aye, Sir, it will." He and Talarion each took a key while the patrons let out a few excited shouts and clambered towards the woman and another young lady who had been serving those seated at the tables.

    They returned to their horses amidst the confusion and found Tissaia and Kaius already dismounted with their belongings in hand. Azael took his own satchel from Tissaia, then swiped hers too despite her frown. The stableboy led their horses away while they ducked back inside. Before they'd gone more than two steps, the young maid slipped in front of them.

    "If you please, Mrs. Alswell asked me to take you to your rooms," she explained.

    "Lead the way," Kaius replied with a friendly smile. The girl looked at him and a furious blush colored her freckled face. "What did I do?" He whispered as she scurried towards a flight of stairs and they followed after.

    "Looked entirely too friendly and handsome for your own good," Tissaia laughed. "I think it's safe to say she's not accustomed to such charms, given the examples around us."

    Azael flashed a hard look at one of the men closest to them who had been blatantly gawking at Tissaia, her chest specifically. The man averted his eyes when his companion jammed an elbow into his ribs. "I was only looking," he muttered.

    "Aye and would you like him to be looking at your Brynna like that?" His companion demanded. "I reckon she'd send him on his way, and you ought to give her the same courtesy. Besides, that Lady isn't going to so much as take a sniff at you with your lack of regular bathing. You'd offend her nostrils. And you know what they say about Fae males. I wouldn't want to tangle with him. His palm is bigger than your face."

    "Well my own is the same size as my face," the man protested, slapping his palm to his nose to prove his point.

    "Yeah, and his is larger. I reckon he has more muscle than you too." He pinched his friend's arm and gave it a hard yank. Azael smirked to himself as he continued up the stairs, placing the pair out of sight.

    The maid had paused between a set of doors up ahead. She gestured to them, then dropped into a swift curtsey and dashed away with another bashful glance at Kaius. The male just waved while Talarion opened the door. Azael passed his own key to Tissaia and watched as she unlocked the door. She cracked it open and peered inside while Talarion gave a disgruntled huff.

    "Don't worry," Kaius chuckled. "You and I can share this room so there's nothing to worry about." Azael furrowed his brows and looked in, spying a single bed in the room.

    Tissaia cleared her throat and they all looked to her. "This room has a lounge and a bed, not to worry. Azael is too proper to try anything anyway." Talarion scowled and Kaius gave a quiet laugh. "Now go on. Take advantage of having some real privacy for a change."

    She shoved both of the males towards the door and they disappeared inside. Then, she stepped into their own room and Azael followed her in. He froze the next instant. There in fact, was not a lounge. Tissaia didn't look at him as she crossed the room and set the key on a nightstand.

    "Well, your Highness, your options are the floor, the stable, or sharing a bed with me." Her head twisted and she met his gaze over her shoulder, a coy grin playing at her lips. "Choose wisely."

    He swallowed, glancing at the old tin tub on the other side of the room, partially hidden by a wooden screen. Azael set her satchel down but kept hold of his and backed towards the door. "I think I saw a communal washroom downstairs. And there should be someone bringing a meal up soon."

    "How considerate." Tissaia had already turned away from him and stepped out of her boots. She shrugged out her leather vest and unlaced the neckline of her shirt. "Take the key. I'll lock the door in case any bold men decide to try to take a peek inside."

    She freed her hair from its braid and it cascaded down the center of her back in sleek waves. His fingers itched to touch it once more. "I'm not going to tease you again, Darling, if that's what you're waiting for," she added when he made no move to leave. "I forgot myself earlier."

    "I...didn't mind," he murmured. Tissaia's breath caught. "I won't be gone long."

    "Take your time."

    He slipped out the door and closed it, sparing a moment to wrestle his racing heart back under control, then hurried to where he believed the washroom to be. To his relief, it was vacant, and he wasted no time stripping down and claiming one of the more secluded sunken tubs in the back of the room.