She shivered, clutching her coat as tightly to her body as she could. Her eyes darted left and right, and once she was sure that there was no one tailing her this ti, she pushed the door open and entered as instructed.
The inn was fairly boisterous. There were all sorts of people partying and laughing, mugs of ale in their hands and joyous smiles on their lips. Various dishes and foods were laid out across the banquet-style long tables, with the patrons gathered around, laughing and chattering amongst themselves.
However, she paid them no mind. Her eyes went straight to the back of the inn where two hooded n sat. Instead of joining the others at the larger tables, the seats they hogged were around a small round table in the far corner, one of the few available, ant for private, smaller groups.
Her footsteps hastened as she charged straight for that table, ignoring the other patrons as they drunkenly swayed on their feet.
"I need a stone," she said, imdiately slamming her palms on the round table the mont she reached it, causing the mugs and plates to jump slightly off the surface of the table. One man calmly continued to eat while the other looked up. Underneath his hood was a handso smile.
"My my," he said with a tut, "Elinora, where are your manners? I see the days spent with the commoner have turned you into a brute of equal stature. Where’s all the Wynsler grace and poise you’ve always prided yourself in?"
She rely glared at him before cocking her head to one side.
"Would you rather I announce it to the entire pub?" she said, taunting. "Or perhaps even the people residing in the inn upstairs should know."
"Go ahead," the man said. "I will simply have to kill them all. Not a big deal for a morning’s exercise."
The woman pursed her lips, swallowing. Then, she said with a slight bow of her head, "Greetings, Prince Ricard," she turned to glance at the silent man, "Prince Raziel."
"There," Ricard said, leaning back in his seat. He pierced a slice of ham with his fork before placing it in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed, then smiled. "That’s not so hard now, is it?"
"Perhaps you would like to have a bit of food before we proceed," the other man, Raziel, said. He finally looked up from his plate, his smile serene as he peered at her through his gold-rimd glasses. "Lunchti is almost over, but I am sure we can still find sothing for you, if you would like?"
"No need, Your Highness," Elinora said through gritted teeth. "I need to return to the palace at once. Once I have the athyst, I will be on my way―"
"Who said anything about having an athyst to spare?" Ricard said with a grin. "Co sit, Elinora. It has been too long. Tell , how have you been?"
"With all due respect, Prince Ricard, I haven’t the ti to spare to chitchat," Elinora said, biting down her impatience. "I need to return to the palace before they notice I am missing."
To be exact, before Orion realized she was missing. There was only so much her brews could do, and no tea was going to keep him out like a light for more than past noon. It was already a couple of hours past, but considering how she had not encountered any soldiers searching for her around the capital, she was hoping Orion was miraculously still asleep.
Now, she just needed to get the athyst from Ricard and return to the palace before Orion noticed.
Under her coat, she reached for her forearms. The bruises were still there, and if she could do anything about it, Elinora would like to not add more to the mix.
Her subtle movents hadn’t gone unnoticed by Ricard. His gaze slowly moved from Elinora’s eyes down to the slight movent under her coat. With his eyes still kept there, he said, "Was the Duke a rough lover?"
Instantly, Elinora’s cheeks turned red. Seasoned warrior or not, she was still a maiden first and foremost. To be asked such a question outright by a man she wasn’t close with quickly caused embarrassnt to fill her body.
"There’s no need to hide your injuries, Lady Elinora." On the other hand, Prince Raziel was much kinder with his words and tone. He stood up and gestured to the stairs. "We have a room upstairs. If you would like, I can tend to your injuries before you return."
Elinora quickly turned back and scoured the windows. There were still no signs of the palace guards, or any of Orion’s n, for that matter. With that, the stone in her heart was slightly lifted as she nodded her head.
Raziel smiled and led the way; Elinora followed. Behind them trailed Prince Ricard, who whistled a rry tune under his breath the entire walk upstairs. When they’ve reached the room the two brothers have rented for the next few nights, Ricard closed the door shut, and Raziel gestured to the couch for Elinora to sit.
Once the door was shut, the princes’ disguises lted away to reveal their original appearances.
Elinora clutched her coat tightly as she approached the couch, her body stilling. It was Raziel’s calm voice that pulled her out of her reverie.
"You will need to remove your coat, Lady Elinora," Raziel gently said. "I won’t be able to heal your wounds otherwise."
Reluctantly, Elinora unbuckled her coat and allowed it to fall. At the sa mont, Ricard released a low whistle.
"Did the Duke do all of that?" Ricard said with a short chuckle. "I suppose you should’ve just accepted my proposal the first ti, eh?"
"Brother," Raziel calmly chided. "That’s not very nice."
Ricard rely rolled his eyes but said nothing. He sauntered to the armchair next to the couch and dropped down, leaning his chin against the back of his palm.
"Please pardon , Lady Elinora," Raziel said. He then reached for her hand, and the carnelian ear studs he wore began to glow.
Slowly but surely, the bruises that peppered Elinora’s pale skin began to nd themselves and regain their original color. She exhaled shakily; even her body felt lighter. Raziel’s hand rely hovered over her wounds and it was enough for his magic to co into effect.
However, as he got to her neck, Raziel paused. His eyes remained on the cut there for a second longer than needed before his gaze flickered to Elinora’s eyes.
"Duke Elsher has made an attempt on your life?" he asked. His tone was soft and gentle, but Elinora easily recognized the raging storm that was hidden behind his bright green eyes.
Her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. She hadn’t inford Prince Ricard of this just yet, but they should know. They would find out for themselves soon anyway, when they attended the wedding.
"It’s Prince Rafael," Elinora said. "I’ve found him."
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