I awoke groggily from my sleep, rubbing my eyes. I glanced outside seeing it wasn't even light out yet and that Riana hadn't woke yet. I'd had nightmares night throughout the night of failing my exams today. Today I took my graduation exams and if I failed, all of my years of training would be for naught and I would find myself back on my estate hoping to find someone to marry a woman who really didn't fit into the norm society had given her. I doubted that Alistor would be willing to marry me.
I got up, dressing quickly before heading to the stables, planning on taking an early morning ride to clear my thoughts. As I neared my horse's stall, I saw Alistor there placing new tack on my horse.
"Alistor!" I said, shocked, making him jump slightly, but he controlled his emotions so that he didn't scare my tense horse.
"Do you ever announce your arrival, my mouse?" he teased.
I stuck out my tongue at him knowing it wasn't a very noble thing to do, but he knew I hated that nickname with a passion- Eveline the Mouse. He always tried to make it seem sweeter even though everyone in the palace used it- especially Maverick.
This just made him laugh gently as he finished putting the tack on my horse.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I got you a graduation present," he said casually.
I flushed, feeling bad for not having bought more for him as a graduation present. I had scraped together the money for the small necklace to be laced with the quick healing all my kind possessed. It felt small compared to the money I knew Alistor had paid for this. A few tears welled in my eyes and I wiped them away quickly.
"Are you alright?" he asked, sitting the bridle on the stool and walking over to me.
I pulled his gift out of my pocket just in case I ran into him and handed it to him. He took it, wrapping his arms around me.
"Hey," he whispered into my hair. "You alright there, Eve?"
I allowed him to hold me- taking in the rich scent of him and the simple moment of him holding me for it didn't happen often that I allowed myself to cave ever so slightly.
"Yeah."
I felt him unwrap my gift from its packaging behind my back and felt him tense.
"Thank you," he whispered, kissing the top of my head. "I love it, Eve."
I smiled, allowing myself to hug him.
"Are you sure you are alright?"
I never usually hugged him back for we tried to keep physical touch to a minimum so we didn't crave it and become addicted like the prince and his betrothed, especially since we weren't technically supposed to be dating.
"Just a bit nervous," I whispered. "And feel bad that you yet..."
He hushed me, squeezing me tighter against him. "Eveline, I know that you aren't made out of money. The fact you even somehow got me a present makes me happy."
It was hard to breathe and I knew he wouldn't move until I nodded my head that I understood. I finally nodded, relaxing into him.
"Eve, are you sure you're alright, my mouse?"
"Aye," I said forcing myself to straighten.
"Do you want to go for a ride then? To clear our heads?"
Sometimes he thought too much like me and it scared me.
"A ...aye."
He leaned down and kissed me. "You're really off kilter today, Eve."
I flushed, kissing him back. "You know your gifts do that to me."
He chuckled. "Oh yes, nothing else is your undoing more than gifts."
I poked him in the ribs.
"No just you in general," I admitted under my breath.
"What was that?"
I forced a smile to my face. "Nothing. Let's go for a ride."
I refused to admit how much Alistor affected me. In truth he was my undoing and I was afraid of how it might affect me in battle or in a sticky situation.
He gave me an odd look, but went and grabbed his horse as I put the bridle on mine and we set out for a short ride.
****
They finally called me in for my exam in combat and as I left, Alistor squeezed my hand lightly. I fought my swords master, the head archer, and fought hand to hand against the head guardian scoring pretty close to top points. This meant I could be a tracker if I wished- which is what Alistor and I had hoped for so we could choose each other as partners. Now all that was left was to wait for him to take his exam. Why had I been so worried?
"Well done, Guardian Eveline. You have achieved tracker status if you are willing to accept it. Who would you wish as your partner?"
"I accept and I would ask to have Guardian Alistor ap Renn if he passes and you approve, Your Highness," I said bowing my head low.
The king sat quietly for a moment. "I have heard rumors of Guardian Alistor courting you. If I allow for you to be partners, your feelings for him will not get in the way of your duties will they?"
"My duties lie solely to you, my king," I replied honestly. "My feelings for Alistor will not get in the way."
I looked up to see him nod. "And if they ever do?"
"I will retire, my king," I said honestly.
"You may have your wish if he passes," he said.
I looked up at the king. "Thank you, sir."
"You are dismissed, Guardian Eveline," he said.
I bowed again and quickly retreated outside to hear Alistor be called in next. I waited outside the door of the indoor training room for him to come out and when he did, he came over and hugged me tightly, not caring who saw him.
"Isn't that cute, the mouse and the dragon hugging. Why don't you scurry away, little mouse?" taunted Maverick.
I glared over at him mentally cursing Alistor for forgetting the no touching rule in public.
"Why don't you, Maverick?" I asked. "Haven't you heard we both have received close to perfect marks? You'll be lucky if you even come close to achieving sufficient marks for a desk Guardian."
Alistor coughed to conceal his laugh. Before Maverick could say anything, his name was called and Alistor held a serious face until the door shut before laughing hysterically.
"Desk Guardian? Oh you are a riot, my little silver-tongued mouse."
I poked him. "You did receive close to perfect marks, right? We are partners?"
He smirked. "Would you expect anything less of me?"
"No," I said honestly.
He smiled. "Good."
I looked around once before kissing him on the cheek. "Do you want to go celebrate?"
"With Twill?"
"Hopefully Sasha this time as wel."
The last time I had taken Alistor out to celebrate, Sasha had been sick and Twill had come alone and sat solemnly barely talking over our ale together. Twill wasn't much of a talker even with me. He seemed to be more talkative around Sasha. Thinking back though, Twill seemed not to have liked Alistor the last time I had taken him to the lower city, which was ridiculous. He had no reason not to like Alisr.
****
That night, after dinner and curfew had been called, Alistor and I sneaked out of the barracks and made our way to the Lower City towards Sasha's usual pub to celebrate with them. Alistor sat against the wall and I sat beside him in the booth. As soon as I was comfortable, he took my hand in his. I had sent my falcon earlier to tell Sasha that we'd be here celebrating if she wished to join us, but had gotten no reply when my bird returned. Usually, though, she would come.
We sat there for a few minutes, and sure enough, Sasha and Twill sat down. Twill gave Alistor a cold stare, but Sasha smiled warmly looking at us both- her breath slightly catching when she laid eyes on Alistor. What was going on?
Ale was brought out and the talk was minimal- not the huge celebration I was expecting.
"I got something for you," said Sasha finally.
She stood up and I did the same following her outside. She pressed a small box into my hands and I opened it to see four throwing daggers.
"Thank you," I said.
She smiled timidly and nodded. This was off for my friend who was the loudest and liveliest out of my group of friends.
"Of course. You graduated today," she said hope glimmering in her eyes. "We finally have a champion."