**Caius' POV**
The streets were already bustling by the time we stepped out of the inn. Vendors shouted their best deals, the scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the salt of the nearby ocean, and children weaved through the crowd, laughing as they played. It was a city full of life, yet all I could focus on was keeping Eloise close.
Even after everything, she still spoke to Rowan.
I knew she had written him, knew that he was always meant to be a part of this world, but that didn't make it any easier to watch her smile at him—to watch her look at him with curiosity, with interest.
I clenched my fists, shoving down the bitterness that threatened to surface. This was our last day in the city. I wouldn't waste it by getting into another fight over Rowan.
Eloise turned to me, her face lit up with excitement. "There's a market ahead! Let's look around before we leave."
I sighed but nodded. "Fine. Stay close."
She beamed and grabbed my wrist, tugging me forward before I could protest.
The marketplace was a maze of colorful stalls, each offering something different—silks from the east, spices in neat little jars, handcrafted jewelry that caught the light just right. Eloise was fascinated by everything, stopping at nearly every stand.
She held up a deep blue scarf, its edges embroidered with golden thread. "What do you think?"
I barely looked at it. "If you want it, get it."
She frowned. "That's not what I asked."
I exhaled and studied the scarf properly. It suited her. The color, the detail—it would look beautiful wrapped around her.
"You'll look good in it," I admitted.
Her eyes widened slightly, as if she wasn't expecting me to actually compliment her. Then, a slow, pleased smile spread across her lips. "Then I'll take it."
She turned to the merchant and paid for it, draping the fabric over her shoulders before facing me again. "See? That wasn't so hard."
I rolled my eyes. "Let's keep moving."
She laughed but followed.
As we walked through the city, I found myself watching her more than anything else. The way she moved, the way her eyes lit up at the smallest things—it was hard to believe she had never had a life of her own before. She had always been the creator, watching from afar.
But now she was here.
She was *real.*
And every day, I felt my resolve weakening.
We stopped at a food stall, where an old man grilled skewers of meat over an open flame. Eloise immediately perked up at the scent.
"I *need* to try that," she said, already reaching for her coin pouch.
I paid before she could.
She pouted. "I was going to—"
"You talk too much," I muttered, handing her a skewer.
She took it with an amused smile. "You're impossible, Caius."
"And you're predictable," I shot back.
She laughed and took a bite, her expression turning blissful. "Okay, this might be the best thing I've ever eaten."
I shook my head. "You say that every time you try something new."
"Because it keeps getting better!"
I chuckled despite myself.
For a while, we just walked, eating in comfortable silence. It felt peaceful, like the calm before a storm.
Then, of course, Rowan showed up.
He leaned casually against a nearby post, watching us with that ever-present smirk. "Thought I'd find you two here."
Eloise didn't look surprised. "Rowan."
"Enjoying your last day in the city?" he asked, his gaze flickering to me briefly before settling on her.
"Yes," she said, smiling. "The market is amazing."
Rowan nodded, then glanced at the scarf draped over her shoulders. "Nice choice. Let me guess—Caius picked it?"
She hesitated. "Well... yes."
Rowan grinned. "Of course he did. He's got good taste, I'll give him that."
I scowled. "Do you want something, Rowan?"
"Just came to say goodbye," Rowan said easily. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about where you're headed next."
"That's none of your concern," I said coldly.
Rowan chuckled. "Relax, senior. I was just making conversation." He turned back to Eloise, his expression softening slightly. "Be careful out there. The king's land isn't as forgiving as this city."
Eloise nodded. "I know. But I'm ready."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he smiled. "I'm sure you are." Then he looked at me. "Take care of her, Caius."
I narrowed my eyes. "I don't need you to tell me that."
Rowan just grinned, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Eloise sighed beside me. "You two will never get along, will you?"
"Not as long as he keeps getting in the way," I muttered.
She gave me a look but didn't argue.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the city. It was beautiful, but my mind was already on the road ahead.
Tomorrow, we would leave this place behind.
And I had a feeling things were only going to get more complicated from here.
———-
Eloise's POV**
The rhythmic rocking of the carriage was oddly soothing as we traveled toward the king's land. Caius had insisted on getting one to make the journey smoother, and though I initially resisted—I preferred the open air—I had to admit it was a good idea.
The roads ahead were unpredictable, and with every checkpoint we had to pass, blending in as simple travelers was much safer than walking in as armed warriors.
I glanced at Caius, who sat across from me, arms crossed and gaze sharp despite the lull of the ride. He was always like this—on edge, constantly scanning our surroundings as if expecting danger at any moment.
"You know, you *could* relax for once," I said, resting my chin in my palm.
Caius didn't even glance at me. "Relaxing gets you killed."
I rolled my eyes. "We're in a carriage, not a battlefield."
"Doesn't matter," he replied. "Danger doesn't announce itself, Eloise. It strikes when you think you're safe."
I frowned. His paranoia made sense, given everything he had been through, but still...
I was about to argue when the carriage suddenly jolted to a stop.
Caius was on his feet instantly, sword in hand. "Stay inside."
Before I could even protest, he was already out of the carriage. I huffed, pulling the curtain aside just enough to see what was happening.
The driver was slumped over, unconscious or dead—I couldn't tell.
And standing in front of Caius, a wicked smile on her lips, was Lirienne.
My stomach dropped.
She was back.
And she had brought company.
Shadowy figures moved around her, creatures that looked almost human but were shrouded in dark mist. Their glowing red eyes sent a chill down my spine.
Caius tightened his grip on his sword. "You don't know when to quit, do you?"
Lirienne let out a soft laugh. "Oh, Caius. You should know by now—I always get what I want."
Her gaze slid to me, and my heart pounded.
"And what I want," she purred, "is *her*."
I didn't have time to react before the carriage door was ripped open from the other side.
A pair of shadowed hands grabbed me, yanking me out before I could even scream.