Lily had given up. She could not keep up with the two Lunerians. They walked as though they were floating. Drifting down the streets with such speed.
Lily took a break by a flower stall. Its vibrant and colourful display of flowers had caught her eye from across the street. Metallic buckets filled with fresh flowers of every type, rested upon the wooden base.
She picked up a bouquet of white roses and breathed in its scent deeply. She smiled and passed the vendor some coins. Flowers in hand, she turned, looked up and stumbled. Tieran stood there with his arms crossed.
"Bear," Lily's ears turned a dark shade of red. She forgot for a moment that she had snuck out of Darkhaven to follow Eiden and Dana. No one knew she had left. "I, um," she tried to think of an excuse, but could come up with none. Her shoulders sagged in defeat, "I got bored,"
"Bored?" he repeated, "And sneaking out what the solution?"
"Well," she sauntered over to him, "It was just for the day, I was going to return by nightfall,"
He pursed his lips as he looked down at her. She gently gripped his sleeve and shone her doe eyes. He sighed and looked away, "Where's Eiden?"
"I don't know," she mumbled.
He clicked his tongue. "Have you eaten?" he looked back down at her.
She shook her head. He exhaled and took her hand, leading her down the street. It was only then that she realised how big his hand was. It nearly enveloped hers completely. She skipped to catch up and walked by his side.
"Have you been here before?" he asked.
"Mmm," She hummed, "I used to come here often with my mistress,"
Tieran turned right and entered a tavern named 'The Badger's Back'. The air inside was thick with the smell of ale, roasting meats, and smoke from the fireplace. There was laughter and lively chatter that filled the room as they made their way to an empty table near the back.
Lily smiled over at the bar as she watched the bartender fill glasses with beer. Behind him were shelves stacked with bottles of whiskey and gin.
The floor was worn and creaky, polished to a warm sheen by years of foot traffic, and the walls were adorned with paintings of hunting scenes and animal skulls.
They took their seats opposite each other and waited. A lady with dark brown hair, pulled back into a messy bun, made her way to them. Her friendly blue eyes smiled as she greeted, "Good afternoon, what can I get for you?"
"The meal of the day, please," Lily answered.
"Alright," she wrote on her little notepad, "Anything to drink?"
"Tavern special," she replied again.
"Perfect, I'll be back with your order," she turned and left, her thick skirt swishing behind her.
Lily looked at Tieran who looked mildly displeased. "What?" she asked, "Mortal beer is not nearly as potent as ours,"
"And you're an expert, are you?"
"Trust me. Lady Sirelle could drink an entire barrel and not get drunk,"
Tieran rolled his eyes as he shook his head. The waitress returned with a loaded tray. She placed before them a bowl of soup each, a basket of bread and two large glasses of beer, before she left again.
"Bone apple tea," Lily squealed.
"Why do you say that?" Tieran asked as he picked utensils from the wooden container on the edge of the table.
"Lady Sirelle used to say it when she returned from France once," Lily took a spoonful of soup and slurped it.
Tieran chuckled, "Bon appetit,"
"What?"
"It's bon appetit, not bone apple tea,"
"What's the difference?" she looked up from her bowl.
He shook his head with a small smile, "Eat, little fairy,"
—
The tavern had gotten louder. More people had streamed inside after their work day had ended. Tieran watched the crowd of drunkards shouting and laughing. A man toppled over, causing an eruption of laughter. Mortals could be imbeciles sometimes.
He looked back to Lily who was resting her head on her arm, rolling an empty beer glass back and forth on the table. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes droopy. One glass, it had taken one glass of 'mortal beer' to bring down this little fairy.
"As I was saying," Lily rolled onto her chin, "Fireflies are bilumisent, bilusiment, bi-," she exhaled, "they can fly," her eyes looked up at Tieran who tilted his head. She blinked slowly, "What was I saying?" His mouth twitched.
"The rooms are ready, sir," the waiter suddenly said from behind him. He nodded. Tieran was pleased to find out that the tavern was also a bed and breakfast. It meant he wouldn't have to struggle to find accommodation for the night.
"Come now, little fairy," Tieran stood, "Time for bed,"
"I don't want to go to bed," she mumbled, "The monsters come for me at night,"
"What monsters?" She pouted. He sighed, "No monster will get you while I'm here," he said.
She looked up, "You promise?"
He nodded. She sniffed and struggled to her feet. Tieran wrapped one arm around her waist and the other under her knees, carefully lifting her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her nose behind his ear. Watching his step, he made his way to the staircase behind them and climbed up carefully. The racket from below became muffled the higher they climbed. The walls acted as barriers, warding off the noise. The waitress had told him that their rooms were the two at the end of the hall.
Once he reached the door, his fingers sparked and the door opened. In the centre of the small room was a double bed with a sturdy wooden frame. White linen was wrapped around the mattress and pillows rested on top. A small nightstand stood beside the bed holding a lit candle and a water jug. In the corner of the room was a comfortable looking armchair with a throw pillow.
The floor creaked as Tieran made his way to the side of the bed. Another spark and the covers flew open. He gently placed Lily in the bed and pulled the covers over her. Her forehead creased as a whimper escaped her lips. Tieran brushed his thumb across her forehead and watched as her body relaxed.
He sat on the bed, "Such a tough little fairy, aren't you?" He gazed at her peaceful form. She was rather small. He watched as her chest rose and fell in deep even intervals.
As he watched her, his heart swelled, making his eyes flutter. He looked away. His chest tingled as his heart raced. What was this feeling? It was like he wanted to protect her. To wrap his arms around her and chase all her worries away. Seeing her this vulnerable and unguarded lit a flame within him. His chest grew warm as he placed his hand over his heart. What was happening to him? He quickly stood and made his way to the door. She shifted behind him making him stop in his tracks. He turned and saw lying on her side, with her knees bent and tucked into her chest.
He released a heavy breath and shut the door in front of him. Silently he made his way to the armchair and sat down. He leaned back into the chair and closed his eyes.