The cool night breeze and the symphony of the nightly forest noises must have lulled me to sleep, because suddenly, I jerked awake.

Shaking my head and rubbing my eyes to rid them of sleep, an overwhelming sense of guilt filled me.

“Oh no!” I gasped. I’d promised to keep watch and I’d gone and fallen right asleep!

Holding Arden’s pocketwatch up, I peered at it closely, and the dim light of the moon let me see that I’d only been asleep for a couple of hours.

Well, that was some relief, at least. Of course, it would have been better if I hadn’t slept at all.

Too bad I couldn't get up and walk around to make sure it didn’t happen again. Instead, I shook myself, and wiggled back and forth a little, being careful not to jostle into Arden, who was still sleeping right beside me.

On that thought, I let myself look over at him.

I knew his hair should be white, without the illusion amulet he wore. It would have caught the light of the moon spectacularly, but he still looked very cute when he slept, despite his face being more human than it normally would.

I sighed and looked away, not wanting to be too much of a creep by just staring at him as he slept.

Instead, I looked out at the night surrounding me and sighed a little. This was going to be very boring. It was likely why I’d fallen asleep. Boredom had crept in and shut my eyelids without me even realizing it.

It suddenly struck me that the night was quiet. Very quiet. Far quieter than it had been before I’d fallen asleep.

Sure, the breeze still rustled through the trees, but everything else in the wood seemed to have fallen silent.

That was odd. Even in the circus tent, we’d always been able to hear the nightly animal noises most nights. Something about the silence felt unnatural.

Unsettled, I strained my ears and looked around slowly, shifting so that I could spin around, still being careful not to accidentally bump into Arden, lest I wake him for no reason.

My blood froze as I saw the glint of eyes staring out at me from the underbrush, reflecting the moonlight.

“Arden!” I squeaked, barely able to speak from the terror that gripped me.

The eyes moved towards me. I could now see the outline of a large animal there, slowly creeping closer.

“Arden!” I managed to make my voice a little louder this time, and found his hand, whacking it desperately, praying he’d wake in time and help me scare away whatever was prowling there, eyes locked on me.

He shifted. “Mm?”

But before I could get out a word, the enormous animal pounced, hurling itself forward with a terrifying snarl.

I managed to get out a piercing scream before I was slammed to the ground, with an enormous weight on my chest. An abominable smell from the beast's fur filled my nose and I gagged despite being unable to breathe.

Thankfully, the weight on my chest and the awful smell in my nose only lasted for a brief moment before the weight was thrown off me. I gasped for breath, and fresh air, sobbing in pain as agony seared across my chest and sides.

The sounds of growls and snarls were mixed with grunts and curses from Arden.

Then Rowan’s voice was crying out as well, and I felt magic springing to life. Two different kinds of magic. One was the centaur’s familiar magical energy, and the others had to be Arden’s. It was still kind of unfamiliar, but definitely strong in its own right.

There was a loud yowl of pain, and then I heard whatever beast had attacked us crashing off through the undergrowth.

“Marri!” Arden was over at my side in an instant, Rowan right on his heels.

“What the hell was that?!” I wheezed, clutching at my middle. When I pulled my hands away, they were bloody, and a dismayed squeak escaped me, “Oh!”

Arden swore violently in a language I didn’t understand. Must have been fey-speech. Then he sighed and told me, “It was a giant saber-toothed cat.”

“I thought giant saber-toothed cats lived much farther north!” Rowan cried as he sank down to kneel beside me, reaching out to gently stroke my hair back.

“They usually don't. But sometimes they prowl further than they should, I guess. Happens with predators from time to time.” Arden muttered.

Rowan sighed, “Unfortunately for us.” Then he told me, “It’s going to be okay, alright?”

“M-my chest hurts!” I whimpered.

“I know, I know. Just hang in there!”

The fey soldier was rummaging wildly through our supply bag, still muttering in the fey tongue. “There! I thought I had some!” he cried, pulling out bandages. “I brought them in case we needed them again for your back, just in case.”

“You thought of everything.” I mumbled, feeling lightheaded after the stress of being attacked out of the blue.

“Can you sit?” the man I’d fallen for asked, “We have to get you bandaged.”

I sat, with his help, grimacing as pain shot through my sides. “I’m just going to be covered in scars.” I mumbled.

“I’m sorry!” Arden’s handsome face crumpled in distress, “I am so, so sorry! I never should have let you take a watch alone!”

“S’ not your fault, Arden.” I told him, doing my best to just breathe despite the pain.

“I should never have let you take a watch alone…” he repeated, shaking his head, clearly furious with himself. “Gods. And then I was only half-awake when I heard you scream, Marri, so I didn’t think to blast it with magic, so I tackled the damn thing instead. Thank you for helping, Rowan. Normally I wouldn't have had trouble with it, but…well, I’m clearly not exactly up to snuff lately, for some reason. First I botched my mission, now this! Gods…”

“Like you said, you were asleep.” Rowan shrugged. The centaur was now helping Arden carefully wrap the bandages around my middle. “It’s understandable that you wouldn't be at your best, given how tired you were.”

“It’s a minor miracle that Rowan woke up at all!” I managed a weak smile.

“Yeah.” Rowan snorted, tying off a bandage. “Is that enough?”

“I think so.” Arden studied their work. “It’ll have to be. I have more, but I know we’ll need to change these before we get to Winna and Lear’s cottage, so we should keep some back for that.”

“Maybe you should leave us and go get help.” Rowan grimaced.

The fey soldier shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. If Bellows caught up to you, he’d take you back and I’d need to track you down again. That’s okay, I could do it, especially with help, but I hate to think what punishment he’d have in store for you.”

“Me too.” I muttered, shuddering, then grimacing. “Ow…”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Try not to move too much, sweetie.” Rowan smiled sadly.

“I know, I know.” I sighed.

“I know we only got a few hours of sleep, but we should go. You’re in bad enough shape that it worries me, Marri.” Arden said. “But I’ll carry you so you can get some sleep.”

“But you two need to rest!” I protested.

“Well, I won’t be able to sleep again after that.” Rowan snorted, “My heart is pounding, and still too jittery!”

“Me too.” Arden sighed.

Tears filled my eyes. “I-I fell asleep on watch.”

“What?”

“I-I…I didn't mean to, all of a sudden I was just waking up and…and if I hadn’t, maybe this wouldn't have happened!” I squeaked.

The half-fey man blinked, then smiled a little, “Everyone falls asleep on watch sometimes. Even me.”

“I-I’d have walked around to try not to, b-but I can’t!”

“It’s alright, honey.” Rowan managed a smile as well. “We’re not upset. I would have probably fallen asleep too, all things considered. Except if it had been me, we’d probably have all gotten eaten because I wouldn't have woken up before the giant cat attacked!”

“Normally I like kitties.” I mumbled, wiping my face.

Arden threw his head back and laughed, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping my face gently. “That’s a different kind of cat entirely, Marrina!”

“Totally different. Although I wouldn't be surprised if it was drawn to us because it thought you were fish, like a house-cat might.” Rowan said, but from his tone I could tell he was teasing.

“That’s probably my luck.” I sighed, but managed another watery smile.

“Now, let’s get going. Will you manage, Rowan?’

“Like I said, I’m too awake to sleep, now.”

“We’ll try and get some rest later.” Arden said, his arms slipped around me, and he lifted me easily.

Even though it hurt to be moved, and I groaned a little in pain, the fact that he was carrying me made my face heat.

“You okay?” Arden asked,

“Y-yeah.”

“We’ll get there as soon as possible. And I’ll do my best not to jostle you as much as I can, alright?”

“I know.” I set my head against his chest. “Is this okay?”

“Yeah, of course. Try and sleep, okay?”

“I-I’m sorry.” I whispered. “You two should be sleeping, but instead you’re carrying me, and-”

“Marrina, it’s alright.” Rowan’s tone was soothing, and I felt him pat my head gently. “Everything is okay. I mean, I know you’re hurt, but it’s going to be okay. We’re going to get you to safety. I…see you like another daughter, and am absolutely ready to walk through the night for my daughter, even if I’m about to pass out from exhaustion, which I’m not because I did manage to get some good sleep before shit got crazy.”

“Me too. I was out like a light. I vaguely heard you say my name the first time. But I feel better even with the amount of sleep I did get. Or I would feel better, if you hadn’t gotten hurt.” Arden told me. “I really shouldn’t have let you take a watch alone. I never bothered to consider that some animal might attack us. That was the last thing on my mind.”

“I wouldn't have thought about it, either.” Rowan told us.

“Me either, clearly.” I muttered. “Animals were the last thing on my mind. I was too worried about Bellows possibly catching up to us.”

“I’ve traveled enough to know better, though. I should have thought about it. And I didn’t.” Arden sighed.

“Arden, if it’s not my fault, it’s definitely not your fault.” I told him, plucking idly at the buttons on his shirt. They were shiny even in the moonlight.

He smelled very good, and was very warm.

“Alright.” he sighed.

“Good.” I murmured, feeling myself drift off to sleep.

-

Rowan watched, smiling sadly, as Arden carefully carried Marrina along. The half-fey soldier stepped very carefully over roots, branches, and logs, to avoid jolting or bumping the poor, injured mermaid more than was necessary. Every so often, he would glance up at the sky to make sure they were still on-course.

“Arden, I know it might be…too soon to say, and I know I’m overstepping in a big way, but…about Marri, do you-”

“Yes.” Arden answered before he could even finish. He glanced down at Marri, cradled so gently in his arms. His fingers stirred her curls slightly. “With every ounce of my being.” He paused, “I…know it’s been…kind of fast.”

“Sometimes it is.” the centaur shrugged, “It’s not so odd, for us.”

“She just…well, she’s gorgeous, first, and bothered to give me the time of day even with my face not looking elvish at all. But…then I got to know her better and found she’s warm and funny and bubbly and…easy to talk to.” he paused. “And kind. Most importantly, she’s kind. Not that she’s without her faults, nor am I, but…she’s wonderful.”

“Yeah, she is.” Rowan smiled. “What’s funny is that she doesn't think she’s all that pretty, but she is.”

“Gods, yes.” Arden snorted. “Despite her circumstances, she has this confidence that just…pulls me in like no one else ever has before.”

“I mean, I know I’m biased, but still.”

“I guess I’m biased now, too. But I did think she was gorgeous before I got to know her better.”

“Good.”

There was a pause.

“I’m just…I’m half-human.” The fey soldier’s voice was slightly strangled. “Do you think…that’s okay? I know she doesn't seem to care right now, but it seems like…most…most fey folk prefer other fully fey folk in the end.”

“Well, you say that forgetting that your captain married a fully human woman.” Rowan pointed out.

“Yes, but that’s a little different.” he muttered, “She’s not half-fey. She’s fully human, like you said…”

“But why on earth would she care, Arden? What does it matter what you are? I think she’d have fallen for you no matter what you were, full fey, half-fey, or even human. She fell for you because you bothered to give a damn. And you do seem to get along very well.”

“You think she…feels the same?”

“Oh, absolutely. I can see it in her eyes.” Rowan snorted. “And I know her pretty well. She’s never looked at anyone like that before.” he paused, “Just…she’s young, right? And despite her flirtations, she’s very inexperienced.”

“I know.” the half-elf muttered.

“Don’t hurt her, okay? If you do, we’ll have problems.” the centaur’s tone was momentarily stern.

Arden laughed a little, “I don’t aim to. I am older than her, but not so old that it’s weird, although it does feel a little weird to me, just because there is an age difference.”

“How old are you?” Rowan tilted his head, now curious.

“Five hundred and seven. I joined the military young.” he shrugged.

“Sounds like it! You said you’d been in for a few hundred years already, right?”

“Yeah. About four hundred, or it will be soon. I’ve been with Lear’s squad for about two hundred now.”

“I see. Is it good money?”

“Yeah, don't worry. If we ever did get married, I could support us both without any trouble.” Arden smiled a little. “Like I said before, Lear’s squad answers directly to the king. That comes with a good paycheck.”

“I imagine!”

“Even if you’re the youngest on the squad.” Arden snorted. “That said, I’m not a newbie, or anything, anymore. I’ve been on the team longer than a few of my squadmates, now.”

“Good for you.”

“Thanks. I’m proud of it. I’ve made something of myself. Never would have happened had I not joined and kept my nose down. Then Lear noticed me, and I’m…kind of someone. Not really, we mostly work behind the scenes, but the king recognizes us and knows us by name, and I’m welcome among most high society, despite the fact that I’m half-fey.” Arden snorted. “I’m not trying to brag, or anything. I’m just…proud. I was nothing when I joined up, and now I have a life. A good life.”

“No, I understand.” Rowan assured him. “You grew up in the feylands, I assume?”

“Yeah.”

“Ahh. Life is hard for half-fey folk there, I hear. We fey from the out-lands care far less. Mostly we’re just happy to see a friendly face. Humans aren’t overly fond of us, typically. So most of us try not to cause trouble, and keep to ourselves.”

“Lear ran into that when he found his way to Winna’s cottage. The entire area didn’t even realize that fey folk liked among them, and had for a very long time. It was something of an awakening for them when Lear popped up. They all started to mix for the first time ever.”

“Oh, that doesn't sound good.” Rowan frowned.

“It was actually a recipe for disaster, but…it actually went off really well, in the end.” Arden shook his head, amusedly. “Winna’s family had lived in the area for a very long time, so the people were more accepting of magic than they might have otherwise been. Then Winna and Lear handled it pretty well, I think, and it went very smoothly.”

“Well, they’re very lucky.”

“I think…it was less luck, and more fate.” Arden murmured.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. That goddess of Winna’s is something else.” the half-fey soldier shook his head. “None of this,” he motioned at them, “would have been possible without her, in the end. I think she may have even had a hand in this, somehow. There was no reason I should have stumbled onto your circus. But I did.”

“Well, luck or fate, I’m glad for it. I know this is somewhat a bad situation, but we are still free. And I know I speak for the both of us when I say we’re so, so grateful for that.”

Arden grimaced, “I won’t be happy until we’re safe at Winna’s cottage, and have been able to go back and free the rest of your friends. Then I’ll feel like I was finally able to do the right thing…But still don’t thank me, it was the only decent thing to do, and I’m sorry no one bothered to do it sooner.”