Lillian's entire body ached from hours of relentless walking.
Meanwhile, Dorian rode slowly on his horse. He had offered her to ride with him hours ago, but she had refused for obvious reasons.
Exhausted, she trudged along under the scorching afternoon sun. The relentless rays burnt her skin, and the weariness was amplified by dehydration and a gnawing hunger.
Lost in her thoughts, Lillian stumbled on a small rock. Quick as lightning, Julian's strong arm wrapped around her waist, preventing a fall.
"Eyes on the ground, my lady," Julian advised, his dark eyes looking down at her. They were darker than a moonless night, and she couldn't help but acknowledge his striking handsomeness. With pale skin that perfectly matched his raven hair and intense black eyes, eyes that regarded her with an admiration akin to how one would gaze at a rare jewel – and she rather liked it.
"Thank you," Lillian replied, and he released her. "I still don't know your name."
"Ah, I guess with all the commotion, I failed to introduce myself. I'm Julian, my lady, Julian Ravencroft from House Ravencroft," Julian said with a slight bow.
"I'm Lillian," she replied.
"I know," Julian answered with a smile.
Lillian was about to ask how he knew her name when Dorian's voice suddenly interrupted them.
"Enough idle chatter," Dorian grunted.
"Of course, Dragon," Julian replied respectfully before continuing to walk, and so did Lillian.
"Why do you keep calling him that?" Lillian asked in a hushed whisper, not wanting Dorian to hear – he rode the horse slowly right in front of them while she and Julian trailed behind him.
"What, Dragon?" Julian asked, even though he knew what she was referring to.
"Yes," Lillian answered still in hushed tones.
"Well, that's because he is the Dragon," Julian answered, utterly confusing Lillian. "And he can probably still hear us, so hush," Julian spoke softly, placing his index finger on his lips, indicating that Lillian should stop talking.
Lillian was now left with more questions than answers. But then, Dorian halted his horse.
"Let's take a break, shall we?" Dorian declared as he slowly dismounted.
Lillian hadn't noticed it before, but now she saw that Dorian was still clutching his stomach – the place he had been stabbed. She also noticed it was bleeding; his white shirt was stained with blood, and his sun-kissed skin appeared a bit pale.
Dorian grunted as he sat on the ground, taking a swig from a canteen.
"Here," he said, handing Lillian the canteen.
Lillian accepted it slowly, taking a drink before passing it to Julian.
"Your injury seems to be getting worse, Dragon," Julian pointed out what everyone was thinking.
"I'm fine. We rest here for a while, and then we keep going," Dorian grunted as he lay on the ground and closed his eyes.
Lillian settled down on the ground too – her legs were throbbing with pain.
Julian joined them, and the trio took a much-needed break.
They sat in silence for a while before Lillian finally broke it.
"How far is Pyralon?" Lillian asked.
"Not too far away, but at our pace, we'll probably reach there three days from now," Julian answered with a chuckle.
"Three days from now!" Lillian exclaimed in shock, immediately clamping her hands over her mouth. Fear flickered in her eyes, worried that her sudden outburst might disrupt Dorian's much-needed rest. She had actually thought he would wake up and shoot her a cold glare with his burning eyes.
Julian chuckled at her reaction. "Don't worry, we'll get there. Eventually."
"Eventually," Lillian repeated, dragging her knees to her chest and hugging them tightly.
"I still have so many questions," Lillian confessed as she locked eyes with Julian. So many questions lingered in her mind. Questions like how did Dorian rip out the arms of a half giant? Why did a sorcerer attack them? Why did Dorian enter the tournament if he didn't want her in the first place? What did he mean by what was coming was big? And how does any of this involve her in any way? She was so lost and confused.
"I'm sure you do. And I promise you'll get all your answers when we arrive at Pyralon," Julian replied reassuringly.
Lillian nodded with a sigh, then turned to look at Dorian, who was now asleep not too far from her. With his eyes closed, she could take a closer look at him.
Surprisingly, he had long, beautiful lashes that gave him a feminine allure when his eyes were closed. His hair was dark brown and long, not too long though—it pooled on the ground where he lay.
Lillian kept staring at him, and then she noticed the rise and fall of his chest. His breathing was uneven, as if he was struggling, and he had beads of sweat on his face, along with a noticeable frown. Something was definitely wrong.
"Julian!" Lillian suddenly called out as she crawled over to Dorian, placing her hand on his chest. She was certain that something was wrong.
Julian immediately rushed over to her side as they both hovered anxiously over Dorian.
"He's dying," Julian said with a frown, his concern evident.
"What??" Lillian asked, her voice trembling as she looked at Dorian.
"His injuries must be infected. We have to get him to a physician, and fast," Julian explained urgently.
"But how? You said we'll get to Pyralon in three days," Lillian said, panic creeping into her voice.
"I said at our pace," Julian corrected, rising immediately and walking over to where the horse was tethered.
"You have to get him to Pyralon, Lillian," Julian insisted, pulling the horse by its reins.
"I don't understand," Lillian stammered.
"Keep heading east. Don't stop, and when you get to the gates of Pyralon, inform them that you're with Lord Firebane. They'll attend to you immediately," Julian instructed, assisting Dorian to his feet.
Dorian, struggling to remain conscious, remained vaguely aware of their conversation.
"I can't do it," Lillian protested, her voice quivering. "Why can't you take him?"
"Because I can't leave you here," Julian replied, his expression sincere. "You can handle this, Lillian. I trust you. Now, get on the horse."
Lillian closed her eyes briefly before following his instructions. Julian carefully helped Dorian onto the horse, settling him behind Lillian.
"You're going to be okay," Julian assured her, looking up with a reassuring smile.
"And what about you?" Lillian questioned.
"I'll be fine. I'll find a way to catch up with you as soon as I can," Julian promised.
Lillian nodded, her breath shaky as she prepared to set off.
"Oh, and Lillian," Julian added with a serious tone, "don't trust any strangers."
With those parting words, Julian firmly tapped the horse, urging it to move swiftly.