Kelryn scarcely waited until Edward passed beyond earshot, whispering to keep other diners from overhearing. "Marak, how… ‘?" She reached for his hands.
Nightfall moved first, catching her fingers in a grip that appeared tender but was tight enough to cause pain. "No acts or explanations. You’ll only enrage me." He met her hazel eyes with an icy glare. "You’re alive because of the prince and only because of the prince. If you harm him, I’ll feed you to the wolves piece by screaming, bloody piece." He threw her hands away and returned his own to the tabletop.
Kelryn paled, obediently silent.
The urge seized him to storm from Heffrilen’s Tavern, leaving his rage bunched and tangible at the table while he escaped into the night. But he knew the anger would only accompany him, and he would not leave Prince Edward alone and vulnerable in a deceiver’s grip.
Kelryn’s eyes blurred, filled suddenly with moisture. "Marak, listen. Please."
Her farce dragged pain and fury to the surface. Before he could think, his half-closed fist slammed against her cheek, throwing her head sideways and sending tears splashing to the unoccupied table beside them. With unconscious grace, she managed to catch her balance and keep the chair, or herself, from falling.
Nightfall stared at his hand, outrage against Kelryn and himself welling in concentric waves. Not since he had avenged his mother’s murder had he lashed out in anger and never in any guise other than that of Nightfall, especially in a public tavern. He knew fury at himself for loss of self-control, against Kelryn for driving him to that loss, and against the mother who had taught him to respond to unhappiness with violence. That he had hurt Kelryn did not matter. Hours before, he would have slain her; given the opportunity, he would do so now. Something deep inside drove him to apologize until his soul emptied of guilt and sorrow, to beg for the forgiveness of the only woman he had ever loved. Yet, he dismissed the seed as something ingrained from his childhood and forced away the image of his mother pouring forth promises of devotion and tranquility while he still ached from the blows she beseeched him to excuse. He believed no leftover vestige of caring made him feel guilt and drove him to seek absolution, just a haunting memory from his youth.
Kelryn’s head sagged to the table, and her shoulders shook rhythmically as she wept in silence. Nightfall looked away in time to notice Prince Edward returning. A new discomfort swept him, one that took consequence into consideration. He could not explain Kelryn’s tears to his master, and he would not bully her into a lie now even should he have the time to do so.
Prince Edward returned to his seat talking. "It’s dark outside already. I hadn’t realized…" He trailed off, apparently noticing Kelryn’s state of mind. "Are you all right?"
Kelryn wiped her eyes, then raised her head, tossing back her short, white locks in a gesture that she probably intended to look casual. "I’m fine. Just a bit queasy. The food tasted wonderful, and I thank you for it. I just think maybe something in the gravy isn’t sitting well in my stomach." She started to rise.
Edward stood and caught Kelryn’s arm. "Here, let me help you up." He steadied her as she gained her feet. "Do you need a Healer?"
"No." Kelryn rubbed the remainder of the tears from her eyes, using the gesture to brush aside strands of hair clinging to her forehead. "I’ll be fine. I just need some rest."
Edward continued to clutch Kelryn’s arm. "Here. Let me walk you home." Finally, his attention shifted to Nightfall. "Sudian, why don’t you go back to the room and get things settled for the night? I’ll take Kelryn home."
The idea of leaving those two alone pulsed dread through Nightfall. The oath-bond’s warning tingle worsened. "Master, I can escort her." He tried to gear his tone to imply "my friend, my responsibility" rather than concerns about the decision.
The prince’s reply was firm, making it clear that he would brook no further suggestions. "I appreciate your offer, Sudian, but I’d rather handle this exactly as I instructed."
Nightfall’s next recommendation, that he accompany them, died on his tongue. Edward’s manner suggested it would not be well-received. "Yes, Master. I’ll see you back at the room." He headed for the exit, the oath-bond becoming stronger with each step he took. He quelled it with the understanding that he would not leave Edward alone with Kelryn. Even if not for the risk of her association with sorcerers, he had no wish for the two to discuss him without knowing what got said. Although he felt certain Edward would trust his word over hers, he could prepare better if he knew what he needed to defend against. Likely, she would tell Edward things she would not dare to have mentioned in Nightfall’s presence, at least about how he had struck her that evening. Surely, she knew she could not dissolve the relationship between prince and squire in a night. She might insidiously infuse Edward with information, winning his trust until she delivered the blow that destroyed them both: Nightfall for being the demon of legend and Edward for associating with him.
Nightfall backed into the shadows outside of the tavern and waited.
Shortly, Prince Edward and Kelryn exited into the warm, summer air. He kept her arm in his own, worrying for her every step like a mother with a toddler. Nightfall waited until they passed, then followed at a distance that kept him well-hidden but revealed nearly every word of their conversation.
"Feeling better, lady?"
"Much, thank you, Ned. I think I just needed the night air."
Prince Edward seemed noticeably relieved. "I’m sorry about the food. I wanted to nourish, not poison, you."
"No, please, don’t apologize.” Kelryn touched the prince’s upper arm with her free hand. "It was the best meal I’ve had in a long time. And I really do feel fine now."
"Do you still want to go straight home?"
"A walk might be nice.”
Kelryn’s words and gentle tone brought back vivid remembrances of Nightfall’s own times with her. With them came a raw jealousy he could not deny. Bad enough Kelryn seemed to be striking up a friendship with the one he needed to protect. The thought that she might sleep with him drove Nightfall back to the wrath the shock of hitting her had dispelled. Worse, he could not quite figure out why the idea bothered him so much. It might do for the prince to lose his sexual innocence. He just wished it could be with anyone but her. Wished, not only for the prince, but for himself. For all that he hated her, the love and esteem he had once held for her could not be fully banished; and that realization only fueled the anger.
Prince Edward and Kelryn strolled through the darkened streets, oblivious to the shadow that trailed them in practiced silence. Although they seemed to walk together, stride for stride, only Kelryn knew the town well enough to lead the way. They chatted about the sights, such as the night allowed, and the meal, gradually wandering further from the streets and alleyways to a grassy knoll just north of the town’s edge. There, they sat beneath a spry, young oak; and the conversation ceased as they settled into place.
Nightfall found a hiding place, low and shadowed by a copse of prickly bushes. He kept his need focused. Every movement, of Kelryn or a surreptitious stranger, might mean danger to Prince Edward. Every word might place Nightfall in a compromising position that risked anything from simple punishment to the loss of his soul to magic. Yet, he could not help but notice how the moonlight striped highlights through Kelryn’s silver hair and the dress outlined a figure that had come to define female perfection, at least in Nightfall’s mind. Even her face seemed to gain a beauty in the glow. The moon complimented the prince as well, adding life to golden features that needed no enhancement.