“Where are we going, Orin?”

It was a fair enough question. We had long since left behind the streets that Elora was familiar with as we pushed east, further into the tangle of shadowy back-alleys and darkened corners that made up Myrin's body. We had now entered the territory of another of the city's three pillars of the underworld, namely the Bell-tower Bulls. They were a real band of bad-asses once, the largest crew in the city if the stories told in taverns were true, but they had fallen from grace well before the wedding, giving way and territory to their eternal rivals, the Common Dogs and the South Snakes.

Of course, none of that made much difference now. Even walking through the streets one could feel the shifting currents of the criminal elements of the city. The gangs were done for, at least for the moment. With the three leaders still missing they had fractured and fallen apart. Sig the pig and his gang of hooligans were a perfect example of how bad things had gotten. Destin would never have allowed that kind of thing to happen on his turf from what I'd heard about the man and I'm sure there were other instances of the same thing happening across the capital: The bottom feeders feasting on the corpses of once proud institutions. Good riddance, as far as I was concerned. The fuckers had helped Craven and that deserved death a thousand times over.

I conveniently forgot to include Pater in that assessment however.

I had been wary about bringing Elora this deep into the city, especially with recent events and the revelation about Zelato, but if I lived in fear of a man who could appear anywhere I would never feel safe again. Besides, I deserved a little break and the Princess did as well. The last few days, or rather weeks, had been more than a little stressful for the both of us. Well, the three of us.

I wasn't really worried about cut-throats or pickpockets, because there was no need to be. The satisfying and comforting feel of the dagger stuck through my belt was enough to assuage any lingering fears I had of dealing with some idiot wanting to make some quick coin. The other was that the Princess was currently walking arm in arm with me down the cobbles. It would take Elora only a few moments to complete Etherin and a moment later I would have Rionna in hand. If the fool who had decided to face us hadn't shit himself by that point, I might just let him live for the sheer balls on him alone.

If that wasn't enough we had ten of Elora's guard nearby, wearing common clothes so as to draw less attention. They were doing a much better job of it now than when we first arrived in Myrin, but I still caught sight them on occasion, out of the corner of my eye. Their backs were too straight. There was a discipline in their stride and an intensity to their eyes that betrayed their military backgrounds. They would've been easily pegged as Nobles in the busier areas of the city but I didn't have to worry about it here. Our only company on the streets was the occasional drunk worker on their way home, a couple of shady characters with raised hoods and the warm glow that emanated from the taverns we passed, accompanied by the carousing shouts of the men and women contained therein.

I was more than thankful for the lack of foot traffic. Getting recognised in the market had been a bit much for someone who was so used to existing in the background, as I did when I was a pickpocket. Less so as a mercenary, but with Boldrin's larger than life presence and Alec's humorous attitude, clients paid little to no attention to just another swordsman. Strange how my life could change so much over so short a time. It wasn't the first time I had thought that and I very much doubted it would be the last.

Though I couldn't say it was all bad, I thought to myself as I looked side-long at the Princess on my arm.

“Patience, Princess,” I hummed back, contented. “Nearly there now. It's a bit of a walk.”

“Are you finally going to tell me what this is all about or am I to remain breathless in suspense?” Elora winked at me as her fingers slid down my arm and interlocked with my own, her hand so small inside of mine. Elora had worn a hood like I asked, but as we discovered so little in the way of people who would recognise her, or me, we'd decided to forgo the disguise in favour of comfort.

“You'll be breathless soon enough, I'm sure.” I replied with a smirk, Elora playfully smacking me on the arm for the obvious implication.

“Orin.” Elora grumbled, glancing around to see if anyone heard me while a red flush ran up her cheeks, “My guard is nearby.”

“True enough, but I doubt they heard,” I whispered, leaning over and kissing Elora on the cheek, “I suppose I can reveal a couple of my secrets, just because it's you.”

“Then do tell why we seem to be in the middle of nowhere.” Elora replied with a smile as she leaned her head against my shoulder, “Not that I'm complaining. This is nice enough already.”

“I thought so too.” I said, pressing my cheek to Elora's hair, “The truth is I realised something on the way to palace. Something important and rather pressing.”

“And what would that be?”

“I am flat broke,” I dead-panned, “Can't afford to buy you a ring or a bracelet as a proposal gift, never mind give you a Smithing text or buy you a dress from the Duchies. That was my first plan out of the window.”

My Princess rolled her eyes, “I already told you that you needn't go to so much trouble as that. It doesn't matter if it's a twig with a bow wrapped around it, I would accept anything you give me.”

“I know you would, but I was sure I could come up with something better. Turns out I was right,” I tightened my grip on the Princess' hand. The steady rhythm of the Bond was a balm to me, made all the more so by the sights, sounds and even smells of the Commons. I was in the town I grew up in with the woman that I loved. Didn't get much better than that. “I don't know if you realised this, but our period of courting was somewhat... non-existent.”

“I think I might know what you're talking about.” Elora murmured back to me coyly, settled as she was against my shoulder. “Doesn't matter to me, though. No need to court when I already have you to myself.”

“True. You'll never get rid of me now.” I smirked, “But I still feel like you deserve some show of effort on my part, hence the walk. I'm not what you would call 'up to date' on the courting procedures of the Nobility, but if you like a girl in the Commons you invite her out for a walk. The canal is usually the popular spot for it, but it's a bit of haven for pickpockets. Trust me on that.”

“It's rather similar in the gentry, I believe,” Elora replied thoughtfully as she lifted her head to catch my eye, “Though Cellus invited me to watch him joust when he first asked to court me. He won by two lances as I recall. I can't say it was the most personal and intimate experience. Then again, I was twelve. I didn't really know what romance really meant.”

“Are you sure?” I asked with a chuckle, “I could probably grab a couple of sticks, pay a beggar a few coppers and we could run at each other. It might not be romantic but I'm sure it would be fucking hilarious.”

Elora laughed and I joined her, our voices echoing out into the subdued streets of Myrin. I loved the sound of her laugh. It was soft and delicate, soothing to the ear. I made a promise to myself to make her produce it more often. It was a sad thing that I couldn't listen to it forever. It had been rare over the past few days, unsurprisingly so. Elora and I had gone through quite a bit together. I just wanted us to have some time to ourselves. Well, us and ten of her guard, but the intent was there nonetheless. It was simple, sure, but I never claimed to be complicated.

Of course, there was another reason that I thought a walk like this would be a good idea. I wasn't sure how the whole situation with Tessa would pan out but I knew that tonight would be the last that Elora and I were only a pair, instead of a trio. I aimed to make the most of it and dedicate the time to making lasting memories for my Princess.

“'Street jousting' you could call it. I could give you a boon, like a handkerchief, and send you out with a tin pot on your head to vanquish your foes,” Elora beamed, her eyes shining with the mirth of the moment.

“You laugh now, but I'm sure there's something to that. We could make a killing in coin. Folk in the Commons will bet on anything these days.” I could imagine the scenario with perfect clarity. Elora waving a piece of colourful fabric in the air, its partner on my arm as I ran towards a beggar with a big stick in hand and a pot lid for a shield.

“I would pay good gold to see that,” Elora smirked, moving away from me until our arms were extended as she stepped around a particularly muddy portion of the road.

“As would I,” I said, pulling her closer as soon as the apparent danger had been avoided. “But I'm afraid until that glorious day you'll have to make do with a short walk with a poor man. Is that enough?”

“More than you know, Orin,” Elora sighed contentedly as she returned her head to its place on my shoulder, “More than I could ever possibly express.”

That particular line brought me up short, even causing a little red to appear on my cheeks. I thanked the Spirit that Elora didn't see it. After I've made fun of her for being embarrassed so many times I'm sure she was itching for the chance to return the favour. I'd rather avoid that.

“Does that mean you forgive me for going to meet your father?”

Elora didn't freeze as I expected, instead she pulled herself closer to me, though how that was possible I had no idea. Any closer and her legs were liable to become a falling hazard.

“Of course I forgive you, idiot. I was mad because you went without me, not because you went in the first place. I don't want to fight my parents, nor do I wish for you to fight them. But being there for you: It's my job, my place. As both your wife and your Smith. We are each of us half of a whole, Orin. Any scenario in which we are separated is not worth thinking about.”

“I'm beginning to realise that,” I replied, glancing up at our destination: The old fire tower that had been my childhood haunt for years.

“I'm sorry about Tessa,” Elora said after a moment of companionable silence, “I thought you were joking about the cracked ribs. If I'd known I would have healed you sooner. They must have hurt terribly.”

“Nah, it wasn't that bad. Tess could've done a lot worse.” I said easily. I sometimes forgot that Elora didn't really know what it was like between Tessa and I during our time with the band. Fighting had been one of our primary methods of communicating. “Then again, so could I.”

“I really didn't expect her to actually do it,” Elora said, seeming exasperated. “I thought we were just talking. I was angry, didn't mean I wanted you beaten into the ground. I thought she'd only given you a few bruises and you seemed fine so I played along with it. You're quite good at hiding how much pain you're in.”

I couldn't help myself, I cracked up again at that one, “Years of practice. Let me guess, you told Tess that you wanted to tear me limb from limb so she took that and ran with it? Don't worry about it, Princess. It's just the way she is. Even if you said nothing she would still have done something.”

“What do you mean?”

I mulled it over carefully in my mind before opening my mouth to speak, “Tess is a fighter, Elora. I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. Tessa fights when she's happy, sad, angry. When Tess stops fighting that's when I become concerned, like when she arrived yesterday. Violence has always been easier for her over speech. She was scared. She was scared because I left her behind again. She didn't know how to talk about it, so she attacked. It's her way. Besides, she would never truly hurt me.”

“How can you know that?”

“Because she never has before, at least not more than I can take. Every time I fight her I learn something new and tonight was no exception. Learning that she followed me around for years doesn't change the past four I spend in the Brigade alongside her. It took me a while to understand that, but now I do and besides, I like her the way she is. If I said I wasn't excited to fight her when she ran out of the orphanage looking like a pissed off panther, I'd be lying.”

“Does that mean you've made your choice?” Elora asked carefully.

I shrugged and nudged the Princess gently, “Enough about Tessa. This is your night and I plan for it to be a good one. Besides, we're almost there.”

“Oh? There is a destination for this walk?” Elora replied with a smirk as she rounded the corner, catching sight of the old tower for the first time.

It looked the same as it always did, though it looked about ready to collapse in on itself. It was nearly thirty feet high with a watch post at its peak: Our destination for tonight's excursion. The mouldy stone and charred wood of the shattered windows and doors hadn't stopped me from looking at this place like it was the palace itself when I was young, and it did little to dissuade me now. I smiled up at the structure, suddenly inundated with memories of times long past. When Gertrand, Pater and I would play at being Kings or Knights. So much had changed since then, and not just the tower, but all of us. Pater was now a member of the Common Dogs, while Gertrand was finally finding his footing as a man. It only just occurred to me at that moment that I had accomplished the dream we all had back then. I had married the Princess of the realm, become a Knight in full and was on track to become the next King of Venos. Such fanciful ideas back then, now become reality. It was a strange thing to think about, but it still put a smile on my face, one which I noticed had caught the attention of the Princess who stared at me with a fond gleam in her honey-coloured eyes.

“What?”

Elora shrugged, “You just seem to be at peace. Is this place special?”

I nodded firmly, “It was when I was young, for many reasons. One of which is the view. Up for a little climbing?”

The Princess nodded and followed behind me as I entered the tower. The interior was a simple affair, it wasn't meant to be liveable after all, merely functional. A few broken bits of chairs and desks lay around the ground floor. The place had long been ransacked and, from the looks of things, more than once. The front door was barely hanging onto its hinges. The whole place was hollow and as I looked up I immediately noticed a problem with my plan.

The stairs were made of wood. Wood which had long since began to rot and fall apart. More than one section of the spiralling stairs attached to the wall had crumbled and fallen to the ground floor, leaving a series of unsteady platforms. The first of which was nearly ten feet from the ground.

“Looks like we aren't climbing, after all, my Knight,” Elora said with folded arms and a disappointed look on her face. “A shame. I wanted to know what could put such a nice smile on your face.

“Ye of little faith,” I grumbled and wriggled my eyebrows at the Princess before holding out my hand, “We have certain advantages, Elora. If they weren't meant for this, then I don't know what for.”

Elora smiled at me but hesitated as she held out her hand, “My guard won't be pleased.”

“Don't worry, we're only going up, not running away.” I said as I took her hand in mine. “Worst comes to worst you can just blame me for stealing you away again.”

“Again? Wasn't escaping the palace my idea?” Elora smirked at me, her thumb rubbing against my palm.

“That's what you think.” I yanked on Elora's hand and she yelped in glee as I pulled her close, pressing my lips to hers, cutting off her cry. The Princess shimmered as Etherin took hold and she became as light. Her lips became feathers against mine before disappearing as the essence of her very being sank into my chest.

Power swelled and flowed. I was a Knight once more.

I turned to jump only to hear the sound of the near broken door smashing open. A harried looking member of the Princess' guard stood there, her eyes slightly manic and her breath coming heavily. She froze when she caught sight of me. She must have seen the light of Etherin and taken it for some kind of attack.

I grinned at the poor guard, “You'll never catch me now! My plan to abduct the Princess has finally come to fruition. I will steal her away from this horrid place, post-haste!”

“Post-haste? Oh, Orin,” I could almost feel Elora shaking her head at my terrible attempt at acting.

“Come on, I thought it was pretty good. I saw a play in Andapa once and the villain sounded exactly like that.” Elora had a put a bit of dampener on my fun so I sighed and waved a hand at the shocked guard, “We'll be back in a minute.”

Not waiting for an answer, I shot into the air. I felt Strength flow down my limbs as Thought sharpened my mind to a razor sharp edge. It was amazing how much more control I had now, especially when compared to when Elora and I first jumped off of the walls of the palace. That felt like so long ago, but only a few weeks had passed us by. I had missed the feeling of Bonding, the closeness to the Princess and to the world at large.

I landed on the first of the rickety steps, the rotten pine giving dangerously beneath my feet. I shot off again before it gave way entirely, feeling the wood expand and explode in a shower of splinters. I kicked against the stone wall, slipping slightly but still managing, heading ever higher. I fell into a rhythm, with the Princess joining suit. We breathed as one, our thoughts completely aligned as Elora gave me what I needed when I needed it. It was not something that was taught, but earned through constant interaction, Bonding and battle. We had become quite the team and I felt pride swell within my chest, aimed towards my Princess. The feeling was returned a moment later by my Smith, who hummed pleasantly into my ear. Elora had grown significantly from the hesitant young girl I had left the palace with. It was hard to remember that we were still a force to be reckoned with, especially when we were constantly reminded that there was always a bigger fish out there. It was nice to see such an obvious example of how much we had improved as partners.

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With one last jump we finally reached the final platform and I landed right in front of the door to the roof with a smile on my lips and laugh in my throat. My euphoria was echoed by Elora who cackled whole-heartedly, the feeling of power we both felt was addictive and beautiful.

Taking a moment to calm myself down, I opened the door without a word and made my way into the open air once more. I was gladdened to see that some things didn't change and this special place was one of them.

I thanked the Spirit once more that the whole building was made of stone. A series of low parapets ringed the circular roof, low enough to see over and widely spread. This place hadn't been visited in some time and the untouched chairs that stood in one corner was clear evidence of that. The roof was uncovered, though evidence suggested it had been at one point, if the wooden pillars in each corner were anything to go by. Thankfully it wasn't raining, wasn't cold and no wind was coming our way. It was perfect.

But that wasn't the best part. No, the reason for Elora's gasp of surprise and my grunt of content was the view itself.

The Commons were laid out before us. An intricate web of buildings; homes, taverns, inns and shops. Each of differing shape and size, each lit with candlelight that poured forth from the windows and into the streets below, setting the city afire with a gentle light. It was chaotic and maddening in its complexity, but beautiful all the same. The sun had gone and night had long arrived. The sky was the dark partner of the land it was suspended over and the stars glimmered like diamonds, topped off by a full moon without a cloud in sight. The moon in question had turned its gaze on the Spires, causing them to appear almost silver as opposed to their normal gold. The palace lay curled at the Spires base, as though it were some weary white giant seeking rest in the comfort of their shade.

Elora appeared from Etherin, already facing away from me and walking towards the roof's edge, grabbing a hold of one of the parapets and peering down at the city below.

“We used to come here as children. Me, Pater and Gertrand,” I began quietly. My eye focused only on the Princess. I had seen the view before, it couldn't compare to her. “We used to pretend we were Kings, peering down at the commoners beneath us. We thought this must have been what it looked like to look down from the palace.”

“No...Never have I seen anything like this,” Elora whispered back at me, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight, “It's beautiful.”

“It is,” I said softly, “Though not so beautiful as you.”

Elora turned to me then and I knew what to expect. Her face was already a bright red and she couldn't look me in the eye, her golden gaze finding its way to my feet as I walked ever closer.

“Orin...” Elora looked up at me as I came to a stop before her, our noses near touching as I placed my hands gently on her hips.

“I thought long and hard about what I wanted to give you for a proposal gift,” I started, my eye locked on her as she stared straight back, “Honestly, as simple a task as it seemed at the time, I was having a hard time coming up with something. Then I learned that the gift doesn't have to be something material, that it can be something as simple as a promise.”

Elora didn't reply, or couldn't, her lips slightly parted as she waited on bated breath for me to continue.

“I love you, Elora. I have done since our trip to Dunwellen. I denied it then, pushed it to the back of my mind, tried to convince myself that it was nothing more than infatuation or the Bond. You had Cellus and a future that was far greater than anything I could ever envision for myself. I was just a mercenary, a sword for hire. But I didn't want to...” I sighed and pressed my forehead against hers, closing my eye, “I was preparing myself to let you go when we found your parents. I had nearly convinced myself it was for the best, that it was for the good of everyone, including me.”

Elora nodded as her hands reached for my waist, clawing lightly at my tunic. It was like she was silently urging me on, to ask the question that we both knew the answer to.

“But then you kissed me,” I smiled softly and remembered that moment when I had thought all was lost, when I had believed that I would lose everything. Her lips against mine, her first kiss. It had banished the doubt in my mind, turned my will to iron. It had given me the power to fight for her, to fight for us. “I knew at that moment that I was an idiot for ever thinking of letting you go. I loved you and all else didn't matter. Look,”

I spun the Princess in place and pulled her back so she rested against my chest. The both of us stared out into the city, my head resting on hers. I could feel the hammer of her heart within her chest and the powerful accelerated hum of the Bond.

“I could tell you a hundred stories of a hundred houses down there. Each one involved me getting hurt, or hurting someone else. I was not a good person, Elora. I'm still not convinced I am. When I left the city I made a promise to myself. I would return after the Bond was taken away, but then I would leave and wander the world. I wanted to see everything; to visit every land, every city and every town. To sample everything the continent had to offer. I have a lot of love for Myrin, but so many terrible things happened here.”

I wrapped one arm around the Princess' shoulders and used the other to turn her chin up so she faced me. She was crying and the tears poured down her cheeks even as she stared at me.

“But for you I'd give that all up in a heartbeat. I'll be King or a pauper, Noble or commoner. It matters not. I'd be anything to be with you and that's the truth. All that was my past, but you are my future. I'm a simple man, so I offer a simple gift: I love you, Princess. I have no grand gesture to make, no great promise about how I'll provide for you. I'm a poor common swordsman whose not done a lot of good things in his life. Will you have me, Elora? I can't offer much more than rakish good looks and an incredible sense of humour-”

The Princess laughed and I joined her as the tears fell harder.

“-But I'll always be there for you, even if you don't want me to be. Is that enough?”

Elora chuckled and reached up to touch my cheek, “You're crying, Orin.”

I blinked in surprise and noticed the moisture on the Princess' fingers as she pulled her hand away. “Well, shit. There goes my stoic masculinity.” I smiled and kissed her palm as she returned her hand to my face once more.

“I love you too.” Elora declaration was sudden and sure, “I felt it in the palace. I felt it after the first time we sat together in your room. When you practiced compression, I would watch you just for the sake of it. I was jealous of Beatrice spending so much time with you. I was jealous of Vera, who I believed would be more beautiful to your eyes than I was. Every waking moment after we Bonded I wanted to spend with you. I thought it was the Bond. Perhaps part of me wanted it to be the Bond, but when Craven attacked us at Dunwellen-” Elora sobbed and spun back around, grasping my tunic and burying her head into my chest, “-I knew it then. You wouldn't let me go and the thought of you dying was so horrible that I couldn't even imagine it. A world without you is not one I wish to live in. I knew then that what I was feeling wasn't the result of some spell. I love you, Orin. I love you so much it aches. For you I would do anything, but I'm selfish. I'm asking you to give up your life, your future and chain your fate to mine. Yet I will ask anyway and pray for forgiveness later. Without you, it would all be meaningless anyway. I accept your proposal, Orin. My Orin.”

I kissed her then and it felt like the first time again. It was silent on the roof and yet the Bond roared in both of our minds, a shout of satisfaction and content. The golden thread compressed a little tighter, becoming a little more clear. It felt as strong as it ever did, but it had become more defined. It was a solid foundation on which to build on.

The Bond's scream came to an end as the two of us separated, the both of us staring into the other's eyes with an intensity that hadn't been there before. She was mine, truly and completely. I'd never let her go.

I slipped an arm over her shoulders as the Princess moved to stand beside me once more. Together we looked out over the city which we would one day rule together. Still a strange thought to me, but one which I was becoming more comfortable with everyday. As long as I had Elora then I think I'd be alright.

“That was quite something, my Knight,” Elora whispered as she glanced up at me, eyes still red from crying and a cheeky smile on her lips, “Did you rehearse all of that in advance?”

“No,” I shrugged, returning the grin, “Thought I would wing it. Honestly, I was just going to ask you to marry me without the speech. Seemed like something needed to be said. It's a big day, after all.”

“The fastest courting in history,” Elora replied, “What a scandal it will be. 'All it takes to marry Princess Elora is a simple walk and a pretty view'. Can you imagine what the Nobility will say?”

“Couldn't care less, Princess,” I tightened my grip on Elora's shoulders, “If they say anything I'll just challenge them to a duel. Nobles like that, don't they? Everyone likes a good duel to the death.”

“That they do.” Elora laughed and pecked me on the lips before settling back down again. “The Spirit favours us, I think. How else could you explain such a perfect night?”

“Perfect company included, I hope?”

“Always, my love.”

For an hour, perhaps longer, we stood there. Neither of us tiring, neither of us wanting to leave. I think I had succeeded in making a lasting memory for us. Elora was right: It really was the perfect night, but it was far from over. I had one more thing to do now and it was something I had put off for far too long.

“You have made a choice.” Elora said. It wasn't a question, merely a statement of fact but I nodded regardless.

“I have. I wanted us to have this, though. I don't know how things are going to change after tonight.”

“They may change, Orin, but we won't.” Elora grabbed my face and turned me to her, a smile on her lips, “It's the right choice. Really, it's the only choice. I love you and I'm with you. Until the end.”

“Until the end,” I pushed through a suddenly bone dry throat and kissed her once more.

We left soon after, Bonding and descending quietly to the ground below. We were met by a considerably ticked off guard and a long walk back to the orphanage, to our home.

Tessa was waiting.

* * *

Tessa was preparing.

She had taken Orin's request to wait rather literally, only leaving to return to her room in the orphanage to grab a hold of her notes,which she now poured over with a focus that would have left even the most accomplished scholars in awe. Her fingers pawed at the parchment as she read line after line, the occasional tremble that ran through her extremities not enough to give her pause. She needed to contain herself. She needed to temper her excitement. She had made the mistake of pushing Orin once, she wouldn't do so again.

Yet it was perhaps the most difficult thing she ever had to do. Orin's words, softly spoken and barely above a whisper, might as well have been a screaming declaration. He was finally ready to Bond with her. That thought alone caused another shiver of anticipation to run her body's length. Her heart pounded within her chest and her face reddened as she imagined the moment, the pure bliss of it.

Tessa shook her head with a primal snarl, returning her attention back towards the notes in her lap. She had moved herself to the grass beneath the bench, her many musings on the Bond laid out before her. A simplified version of the books given to her by her father, Mastan. It had taken her months to read the tomes when she had first arrived in Myrin. It had taken her years to actually comprehend even a fraction of the information contained therein. Most of it was intended for a Smith who was already Bonded, with only one of the D'viritazi volumes being dedicated to training the soul in preparation for that act. Tessa had spent much of her time on that one, on the strengthening exercises that allowed her to increase the amount of Aurum that Orin would have access to upon Bonding.

She had religiously followed a training schedule that had long since stopped being helpful for her growth. She knew that her soul had reached a plateau, one which she could not leave on her own. In terms of Aurum, Tess knew that she would produce more than Elora did upon her Bonding with Orin. It was a simple result of her undeniable dedication to both training and to the man himself. She knew Orin better than anyone, Boldrin himself had confirmed it and Tessa agreed. Not to mention the fact that even in her family's Smithing texts, there was no mention of a soul being as strong as hers before the match was even made. She hoped it was a good thing and wouldn't cause any hindrance when Orin returned to her.

Tessa sighed and tried to control her expectations. There she went again, immediately assuming that he wanted to Bond. Maybe he just wanted to talk some more? He did so enjoy doing that and Tess was sure he did it just to annoy her. He knew that she wasn't good with words, if her stumbling blunder when speaking to him earlier had been anything to do by.

Filled? Really?

Tessa rolled her eyes at her own idiocy and continued to memorise everything she had written in her sprawling and uncultured hand. She had fond memories of sitting with her many sisters as their mother instructed them in the written word. Lady D'viritazi would no doubt pitch a fit if she saw how much Tessa's own script-work had deteriorated over the years. The young mercenary had long since come to the conclusion that function over form was the ideal solution. She understood the scribbles and that was all that mattered.

A strand of hair fell in front of her eyes and the wild woman growled at the offender. Reaching for her dagger and ripping it free, she sliced through it in one breath and returning her dagger to its sheath before it had even hit the ground. She hadn't cut her hair in a while, something which needed to be rectified soon. Function over form: That was what's important.

Her mind wandered once again as she watched the strand land softly amid the softer grass. She thought of her reaction when Orin had come back from the palace, a stupid smile on his face as she charged at him. He enjoyed bringing out the worst in her, she knew he did. He loved to fight her. Loved it as much as she enjoyed fighting him. Her hand moved down to brush against the bruise under her ribs. He had hurt her more than he realised. He was growing stronger, though perhaps he didn't realise that himself. He was faster, nearly able to keep up with her speed. She had been surprised more than once that he had managed to slip her quick strikes. Diving for her knees had been a mistake though, one which she punished him for. She had to put him down hard otherwise he'd just get back up again.

He was getting stronger in body and skill, true, but he was also weaker in mind. His right eye, gone forever, was impeding his progress. It was both a physical and mental block. The fact that he had been able to last so long with such a glaring weakness caused no small amount of pride to swell within the young mercenary. Her Knight was strong and without fear. If he had been at his best he may have even won their fight, but he was only half of what he could be. That was why she was pouring over her notes so completely.

She aimed to give it back to him.

It was dangerous. Foolish, even, but she needed to try. Boldrin had said she could heal him and he was right. When she had first discovered the way to do so she had shown it to him excitedly. If Orin was injured she would be able to heal him, though it came with several caveats.

The volume from which she had derived her notes spoke in detail of the experiments that took place during the early days of Knighthood and Smithing, back when the First Knight had just disappeared and the Five Houses had founded the Hall of Tyra. Such research would be barbaric today, which was why the Hall had forbidden any such thing from taking place again. The lessons learned during that time, however, had survived among the five families who had performed them. House D'viritazi was one such family and had learned a method to return a lost limb or organ to a Knight. It could only be done at the point of Bonding. It also ran the risk of hindering the progress of the Smith, but Tessa still had to try. Orin was formidable with only one eye, but his growth as a warrior would become limited given enough time. As powerful as he could become, the inability to be aware of danger on his blind-side would be a horrible detriment down the line. He could get by on talent alone for a time, but it wouldn't be enough. Tessa needed to do it, needed to try.

It could go wrong. It could go terribly wrong and that's why she hadn't told him. If she got his hopes up and shattered them it would destroy her. She couldn't do that to him and it wasn't like she needed his help to perform the healing. It helped that Elora had already created the Gift of Healing itself. She would use the Gift as a medium to provide the energy necessary, but if it went wrong, Tessa could lose herself. The amount of pure Aurum that was created during the first Bonding was incredible, but it was raw and without purpose, unlike the Aurum that the souls of the Knight and Smith produced naturally. This method would take that power and turn it to purpose. If it failed then the Gift of Healing could be damaged and Tess herself could suffer severe soul injuries. There were no second chances here.

It was a testament to her commitment to her Knight that these facts didn't even factor into her thinking. Instead she memorised every step, gesture and thought that was required. She did not plan to fail. She was taking no chances, especially when it came to Orin's safety. Thankfully, even if she suffered, the Gift of Healing could be repaired if the worst happened. Elora was more than able to do that and Tessa had faith she wouldn't let Orin down.

“I didn't know you were much of a reader, Tess. Anything interesting?”

The voice was a balm, a bright light on a dark night and the warmth of it touched Tessa's golden soul in a way she couldn't rightly express. She hadn't even heard him approach, so intense was her focus on the wrinkled and years old parchment before her. She froze and lifted her gaze to fix it upon him. He was smiling, as he often did. His brown hair hung just short of his shoulders, while a spattering of facial hair covered his cheeks and chin. His remaining eye was a shining emerald, filled with humour, contentment and trepidation. The silver scar that ran through his closed right eye made Tessa want to sob. She hadn't been there to stop it, hadn't been there when he needed her. She aimed to fix that now.

She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came. It was only then that Tessa noticed Elora standing back near the entrance to the courtyard, her hands held delicately in front of her. Tess didn't envy the Princess in most aspects, but she did find herself a little jealous of the dainty grace that the Flower of Venos possessed. Elora could easily capture a room by the mere act of entering it alone. She had a gravitas to her presence that held the eye long after she had walked on. Tessa had never had that. Perhaps if she had stayed with her family she would've, but there was no use crying over it. The young mercenary preferred being dangerous to being beautiful. Though Orin was both in her eyes, so maybe they weren't mutually exclusive.

Elora smiled at Tessa, holding her steely grey eyes with her golden ones. She nodded once and stayed where she was. The Princess wasn't approaching, she was staying back and out of the way.

Dare she hope? Did Elora approve? Were Orin's cryptic words before he left exactly what she thought they were and not the fevered imaginings she had experienced before?

Tessa didn't know what to say and so merely stared at the man she would make her Knight. She felt to speak now would ruin something. Something intangible and unknowable. Tessa held her breath, daring not to even breathe lest the moment end.

“I didn't mean you had to stay right here, you know,” The smart-ass said with a powerful grin that made her soul hum with joy. He took a knee before her, carefully avoiding the sheets of paper, “You could've gone for a walk. I'll always find you.”

Simple words spoken, but powerful in their intent. Orin probably didn't mean them the way that Tessa heard them but she didn't care. She smiled up at Orin as tears began to gather at the corners of her eyes. She couldn't help herself. She was sure of what he would ask of her, of what would happen next. She had dreamed of the moment for as long as she could remember.

Orin carefully moved the parchment that was separating them aside and got on his knees in front of her, his smile ever present and the comfort of his proximity made Tessa feel settled again, banishing the dark thoughts that had returned at his leaving.

“I'm sorry it took me so long,” Orin said somewhat sheepishly, his hand coming up to scratch at his silver scar, something that Tessa had noticed he had done quite a bit since she had arrived.

She knew he meant more than just tonight, but she shook her head at his words. She remained silent, still afraid that this was all some elaborate lucid dream from which she couldn't wake. The Spirit had played crueller tricks before.

“I hesitated,” Orin admitted, “I doubted myself. I didn't want to Bond with you, Tessa-”

The mercenary's heart sank into a pit of despair.

“-But it wasn't because of you. I realise now that it was because of me,” Orin spoke softly as he placed a hand over the one Tessa had placed in her lap. “I felt like Bonding with you would validate what your father did. What Boldrin did. Shit, what the Sister did.”

The fact that he cared was already more than enough for Tessa. She had been terrified that showing him her pain would cause him to cast her aside. To see her for the broken thing that she was. But his rage wasn't aimed at her. It was for Boldrin, for her father. He wanted to protect her from the agony that had been her existence. Part of Tessa became defensive at that. It felt she didn't need a protector, didn't need someone to defend her. Another, larger, part of her wanted it more than anything else in the world. She wanted Orin to tell her everything would be okay and she wanted to believe him when he did. She wanted him to stand beside her and keep her safe.

That's all anyone really wants in this world: To be safe. It was a truth that Tessa had glimpsed again and again over her many years of keeping vigil over Orin. She had seen it in commoners and in Nobles, but it had always been beyond her reach. The one she wanted to save her had never known she existed.

Yet now he did. His fingers on hers was fire on her skin and she flushed in embarrassment as goosebumps broke out on her arms. For some reason his touch felt different. It was less intense but far more intimate. It carried the burden of promise now, whereas before it was a feeling that was as fleeting as the wind itself.

“Then I came to a simple conclusion,” Orin said as he leaned forwards. He was closer now, his smile and presence bright, filling Tessa's sight with a brilliance only she could see. “You've always been there for me, Tessa. You've sacrificed so much for my sake that I can't even begin to repay you for it. You did more for me than I doubt I even understand. I've not been there for you, not like I should've been. I'm sorry for that.”

“That's not true,” Tessa muttered, hating how weak and vulnerable she sounded, “You did more than you'll ever know, Orin. More than I could ever say.”

“Maybe,” Orin shrugged, “But if that's the case then I'm a bigger fool than I thought I was. I'm sure about this, I'm sure about you, but are you sure about me? I mean seriously, Tess, I'm a bit of an idiot. You could do so much better.”

Tessa laughed through her tears and shook her head, wild and unruly hair flailing through the air, “I don't think that's true either.”

Orin leaned closer still and grabbed a hold of her other hand, holding them both tightly as he maintained his intense stare, “You asked me a question once, Tessa. I said no then because I was afraid. I'm not anymore. I promise that I'll never leave you alone. I'll always be there for you, I'll always be on your side and I'll never let you go back to the dark, to the shadows where you were lost for far too long. I don't want someone to serve me, Tessa. If you're willing to stand beside me as my partner, as my companion, then I would have you as my Smith. But you must also choose me. You are the greatest friend I have ever had, Tess. That is what's important. Fuck your father, fuck Boldrin and fate, or being an Heir. I asked myself a question tonight. Do I want to live my life without you in it. Do you want to know the answer?”

Tessa shivered under his touch, but nodded. The tears were flowing now and she couldn't stop them, nor did she want to. Her entire life had been leading up to this moment. It was happening so quickly, so soon. She had hoped, but she hadn't expected it. She'd dared not allow herself to.

“I realised that I didn't want that, Tessa,” Orin said, his eye gleaming as he squeezed her hands, “You in my life is what I want. Everything else is secondary. I see you, Tessaraina D'viritazi. Ask me. Please, ask me the question again. I promise I'll get it right this time.”

Time stopped for Tessa then and an image rose to the foreground of her mind's eye. She saw herself, a little girl streaked with filth, staring out of a little window that was just as dirty. On steps down below, she saw a young boy with bright green eyes and dark brown hair laughing with his friends. He didn't see her.

“Orin.”

The little girl began to bang on the glass. A sudden compulsion had overtaken her. She wanted to be seen, she needed to be seen. She screamed down at the boy, begging him to look up. Just once, that was all it would take and she would be whole again. She knew it, she could feel it.

“I name you my Knight.”

The little girl hit the glass until her fingers bled, she screamed until her voice was hoarse and she could shout no longer. All that emerged were pained whimpers as her weak strikes left bloody streaks across the impenetrable glass. The boy was getting up, he was walking back inside the orphanage. Orin was leaving her. He was going away again and she wouldn't be able to follow.

“Do you accept?”

All the little girl could see was his back now. The world was becoming dark. A storm was gathering in the sky above, drowning out her sobs as he walked away, never to return.

“With all my heart, Tessa.”

The boy, who now stood a man, turned and looked up at the little girl. A grin on his lips, a twinkle of mischief in his remaining eye. Tessa was herself again. Grown and staring down at a scarred Orin. The boy had finally seen her.

The glass shattered.

Lightning struck the orphanage.

Tessa became light.