Page 28 of Kingdom of Lies

But Draknir smiles calmly. "What can I say, Captain? Love changes a man. I'm happy to indulge my dear Kathleen's wishes on our special day."

He takes my hand affectionately and I blush as if thrilled by his willingness to compromise.

Captain Hayes still appears unconvinced but doesn't push the matter further. We steer the conversation to safer waters and I breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

This subterfuge is more exhausting than I anticipated. But we have survived Hayes' interrogation thus far. Perhaps our act is working. I take a fortifying sip of wine. The night is still young...

As the evening winds down, Captain Hayes fixes us with a serious look. "You two managed well enough tonight. But this deception will take considerable work."

My hand trembles as I clasp onto Draknir's tightly beneath the wooden table. My heart races as we wait for the captain's verdict on our performance.

"Your stories are passable but lack natural chemistry," the captain says bluntly, his voice cutting through the tension like a sword. "Your gestures of affection feel staged, forced. If you wish to truly convince others of your love, the connection must be visceral, undeniable."

Draknir nods thoughtfully, his brow furrowing in deep contemplation. "We shall keep practicing until we find that authenticity," he vows, determination shining in his eyes. "Thank you for the candid critique, my dear friend."

Captain Hayes sighs. "See that you do. This will be difficult to pull off. But you must make your tale irrefutable."

He levels us with an intense stare. "No one observing you together should have any doubt that your bond is true and unbreakable."

Just when I am feeling despair over the immense challenge ahead, Captain Hayes' expression softens.

"Yet it may not be entirely without hope," he adds gently. "I sense genuine affection beginning to bloom between you two."

My face goes flush at his words and my heart flutters unexpectedly. Could he discern some real feeling amidst our act?

"Focus on what drew you together, that spark of something more," Hayes advises wisely. "Fan that fledgling flame into a burning fire that cannot be denied."

I sneak a glance at Draknir and find him looking at me thoughtfully. I desperately cling to this small glimmer of hope as we make our way through the nerve-wracking dinner.

Every moment feels like walking on a tightrope, trying to maintain a facade of fondness that could potentially blossom into something real.

It's an impossible feat, but I hold onto it with all my might. As we finally leave the captain's presence, I feel a sense of doom settling in. But then Draknir surprises me by turning to me with a wide, genuine grin. "I don't think I've ever seen the captain so pleased and overjoyed," he remarks, his eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement. Despite my doubts, a spark of hope ignites within me once again.

I give Draknir a bewildered look. "Pleased and overjoyed? He barely said three words all dinner!"

Draknir chuckles. "Come now, you must have noticed how chatty and talkative he was. Why, I've never heard the man prattle on so!"

I stare at Draknir blankly, certain he and I attended different dinners. The captain I encountered was terse and skeptical from start to finish.

"Chatty? He asked about three questions in total and glared at us the rest of the time!" I exclaim.

Draknir just laughs and nudges me playfully. "You have much to learn about Elven culture. And your memory must be fading, my dear. No matter - let us celebrate that rousing success with more wine!"

He steers me enthusiastically toward the wine cellar as I shake my head, but can't help giggling too. I know Draknir is just joking to lighten the tension. And I'm happy to play along if it means recapturing some levity after that ordeal.

16

DRAKNIR

Kathleen and I sit in my private chambers, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls. We sip on a rich, velvety wine to unwind after the taxing dinner. As the drink warms her, Kathleen's tense shoulders relax and she begins to open up to me about caring for her ailing grandmother.

I listen with rapt attention as she describes selflessly tending to the elderly woman - preparing nourishing meals, providing companionship, and maintaining their modest home. The love and dedication that pours from Kathleen's words stirs a deep sense of admiration within me. Despite facing hardships, she remains steadfast in her commitment to her family. It is a true testament to her strength and resilience.

The wine seems to have a magical effect on her, making her talkative and lively. Her laughter rings out like a symphony, a sound that is both melodic and unrestrained. It's a side of her I've never seen before, and I am drawn to her even more, eager to prolong our conversation with amusing military tales and shared laughter. As she speaks, her face lights up with joy, each vibrant expression revealing the depth of her emotions.

"The thrill of traveling to new places with the army must have been quite an experience," Kathleen remarks wistfully. As she listens with rapt attention, her eyes light up with curiosity and a hint of longing. "I've never even ventured outside of our small town."

"The initial excitement fades quickly on long, grueling marches in the freezing rain," I reply with a knowing smile. Memories of being saddle sore for weeks flood my mind as I recount the hardships endured during those journeys.

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