"Why didn't you show up?"
Kilian had quickly realized who it was, and hadn't fought back. The tall body of Rayden was covering his view, and without realizing it, he reached up to trail the scars on the face with his fingers.
Rayden didn't budge, but just let Kilian touch him while removing his hand so Kilian could reply.
"It seems the news has not reached you yet…"
Kilian gave the man a smile, not feeling uncomfortable in the hold at all, the eyes were not malicious on the contrary, Rayden seemed to have asked out of worry and not because he was mad to be stood up.
"I am no longer a Heathgrave, I am a commoner now".
The news seemed to hit Rayden hard, as he stepped back and let go of Kilian.
"Why?" That was all Rayden was able to ask in return.
"Because I asked for it".
Rayden seemed to be swallowing the information.
As Kilian thought, not many would be able to understand why someone renounced a noble title, but also no one outside the house, knew how he had been treated.
"Fine...I'll let it slide…"
Rayden seemed to want to say more, but instead looked at Kilian.
"Why did you want to meet?"
Rayden seemed composed and stood tall in front of Kilian, with a confident bored look.
It was not exactly what Kilian had hoped for, but the man had shown up to meet him, even if Kilian had rejected him flatly, so at least the man had not intended to stop meeting altogether.
"I wanted to know, if you know of the abilities of the Dukes' houses?"
Kilian asked directly, he had no time to waste any longer as they were leaving town in the afternoon, simply meeting Rayden was by some lucky chance, as he had already accepted not being able to meet and ask what he wanted.
Rayden stood for a moment looking at Kilian, the golden eyes trying to stare through him, almost trying to see what kind of motives he may have.
"I don't know much… But I can find out, I am going back to the estate tomorrow".
Kilian let out a sigh. He had hoped he could have gotten the information now.
"I won't be here past today".
Kilian replied in a low voice but didn't elaborate, and Rayden did not ask into it.
"I see, then take this".
Rayden held out his hand, and small see-through golden symbols started to flow above his palm, the light forming into a small bird with golden feathers with an almost ethereal look, where the light was in constant movement to keep the form.
"It will send any letters straight between you and me, let me know when you are ready to receive the information".
Kilian knew that meant it was not information he could just let anybody see, and nodded in understanding.
The bird went into Kilian's hand, pecking at his fingers as a normal bird would, even tousling its feathers, and got comfortable on his hand.
Kilian couldn't help but give it a kind smile, lightly stroking the feathers, but feeling a warm sensation instead of the softness he had expected.
Magic really could be special, he still knew so little about it, but he truly wished he could have been able to use it.
Rayden was observing Kilian's strange fascination with something so trivial, and sighed having to turn his head to not stare at that smile.
'He gives that kind of smile to a bird, yet I am met with eyes looking at me like I am nothing'.
At this moment Rayden wished he was the bird, feeling strangely obsessive over the soft look Kilian was giving the little creature, at least it was something that he had done, that had caused the smile, he thought.
"Thank yo…".
Kilian spoke, but his words were cut short, as Rayden knew this was probably the last time they saw each other for a long time, and even knowing it was wrong, had pulled Kilian close, placing his lips to his to steal a kiss.
He knew Kilian might hate him for it, but after a second of no slap or punch, Rayden opened his eyes to see Kilian had his closed returning the kiss.
Kilian was the first to step back, catching his breath, and lightly punched Rayden in the stomach.
"That was as thanks for the bird, and this is for overstepping".
Kilian whispered hoarsely and cleared his throat, turning around and left into the busy street.
Rayden smiled to himself, at least he had not been cursed out, and he couldn't help but take delight in the fact Kilian was running away with red ears.
Maybe his Kilian was not as innocent as he looked, he had expected him to be somewhat embarrassed or shy, assuming Kilian hadn't had much experience, but he realized something while watching the back disappear into the crowd.
"Was that his tongue?" Rayden licked his lips, where Kilian's lips had been.
"Interesting".
The way back to the inn felt fuzzy to Kilian, who didn't even know how he got back.
'It should be illegal to kiss like that'.
At first, he had been surprised, his first thought was to punish the man, that was just leisurely kissing him without at least confirming if it was ok.
Kilian touched his lips. It had simply felt too good, the overwhelming feeling of someone not being afraid to show him how they felt, or wanted him.
Even if Dante had given looks, he knew he would never directly act on it without Kilian taking the initiative, and so far it was more like a lustful attraction to each other.
Rayden… He didn't know how to describe it, but it was a different feeling.
He sighed, and let the thoughts go, he didn't have time to speculate on feelings right now, and he also didn't want to spend time on them in general.
They were useless to him, they would not save him from hunger or cold, if they didn't make it to the north.
Kilian saw Dante and Stella stand outside the Inn.
Dante was holding the reins of a horse and a donkey next to him, the sight of the donkey trying to bite and snack on Dante's backpack, made Kilian walk up to them while trying not to laugh.
The horse had a few too many years on it, but it was what they could afford, and the donkey was getting packed with the last of their belongings and provisions for the trip.
At this moment, Kilian thought their whole endeavor was ridiculous, going to the north with a knight and a maid, a donkey, and an old horse.
"We ready?"
He asked them with a smile, and without asking Dante suddenly picked up Kilian placing him on the horse, while he kept the reins walking next to it.
"I can walk still…" Kilian complained, not liking how he was being moved on top of an animal he had barely seen, in any of his two lives in person.
"No… you cant?"
Kilian was surprised by the brusk tone, and decided not to take this fight, and simply tried to stay on the horse as well as he could.
Before long they had left the town behind, following the main road that was leading them to the next big city 3 days from there on foot.
Kilian had the small magical bird in his pocket and took it out, petting it as if it was an actual pet bird, and it reacted like a tame creature, enjoying the touches.
"You know… the owner can feel it when you touch their magic".
Dante said it with a low voice, and Kilian looked at the bird surprised.
"You mean if I pet it, the one who cast the magic can feel it?"
He was intrigued, he hadn't read that in any of the books, but kept himself from the temptation of playing with the bird though he was bored.
The afternoon went by slowly and the landscape had not changed much, outside of town it had been fields and scattered forests, but the sight was beautiful and open.
Dante had not been in a mood to talk much, and Kilian decided to stop the horse and get down, offering the seat to a reluctant but tired Stella, who after a bit, agreed to be the one carried.
It was winter, and even though they were dressed somewhat ok, the late afternoon turned into a very chilling evening, causing them to stop and start setting up camp.
Kilian was honestly useless and not much help, and decided to feed the animals while Dante was doing most of the setup work, and Stella was preparing a small meal.
There soon was a fireplace, and they all gathered around it quickly to get warm.
Dante covered Kilian with a thick blanket, and brought one for Stella as well, letting her have the tent for the night.
They had decided to take turns, as someone needed to keep the fire alive as well as be on the lookout for the night.
Kilian knew Dante had been pouting most of the way, but was unsure why, and didn't want to pry into his private business.
He wouldn't even look at Kilian, and the dark soon fell over the group, with only the flames and embers bringing light to the area.
Kilian was trying to fall asleep, but his legs had started to hurt like crazy and he curled up, massaging them under the blanket.
"Ill do it.." The voice was still brusk in its tone, but nevertheless, Dante came over and sat down next to Kilian, moving his legs up over his thighs, and slowly started massaging them.
The Last time they had done this, it had felt good, and this time too, the immediate relief from strong fingers softening the muscles and bringing blood flow to the feet, helped Kilian's legs settle.
Kilian could tell Dante felt tense and noticed he wasn't wearing a blanket like himself.
"Are you not cold?"
Kilian whispered, not knowing why he was keeping his voice down, but the situation felt too intimate to let Stella hear them.
"No…" The voice was low but more relaxed, and Dante continued.
"I am ok".
Kilian sighed, this man was the epitome of selflessness and he could tell by a glance that Dante had saved money, by not getting any thick cover for himself for the trip.
Kilian sat up and leaned in close to him, grabbing the surprised man by the chin, and locking their eyes.
"You are my knight right?"
"Y..Yes," Dante replied.
"You will protect me right?"
"Yes." He replied more resolutely as if there were no doubt in his mind.
"How can you protect me if your body is stiff and senses are dull. Are you saying you are Superman.?"
Kilian's low voice was starting to sound angry, and it was making Dante confused.
"W..who..?"
Dante was unsure what to reply, never having heard the term Superman before, and could not understand why a noble would argue over his knight not using a blanket.
"Then we agree?"
Dante had to admit he had been lost in thoughts, not hearing what Kilian had suggested, and simply nodded.
His previous bad mood had been pushed away by the look of an angry Kilian, and it instantly placated him.
That's when he felt it, the body of Kilian moving further up into his lap, the back leaning against his torso and chest, instantly feeling the warmth emanating from Kilian onto his cold body.
Why was his master always this kind, but the thrill he felt from being this close to Kilian was soon replaced by the fear of himself not being able to hold himself...down.