Page 80 of The Ballad of a Bard

West mimicked it as he came over. “I hate carrots too.” He whispered as he dropped his bag by the foot of the bed and sat down next to the young boy. “They taste like bland water.”

“How can water be bland? It’swater.”She said exasperatedly. “And don’t encourage him to skip out on his vegetables. Leysa said they’ve been helping him regain his strength and energy. So much so,” She poked him in his side and Cobalt grimaced. He rolled into West, ducking behind him as a shield.

“That he’s able to spend the night in here, if he wishes.” Crimson finished and set the cards back down onto the sheets, all tucked away in a nice and tidy pile.

“I am?” He perked up, peeking out from West’s back. “I don’t have to spend the night in that sad room?”

“Nope. You’re all mine tonight.” Crimson yanked on his little arm and tucked her into him, tickling at his sides as he gasped for air. Gales of laughter came from him as he squeezed his eyes shut. “Unless of course you eat anymore of that candy, and then I might have to kick you out since you won’t be sleeping. The last thing I need is a bouncing rabbit in my bed.”

“I promise…” He gasped, “I won’t…” Another inhale, “Eat anymore! Red,stop!” He tried to wriggle out of her fingers and she placed a kiss atop his forehead before letting him shrug out of her grasp. “But only if West stays with us tonight, too.”

Crimson went as rigid as a flagpole, her lips popping apart in sudden surprise. She did her best to hide it from her brother, but West could see it in the gold flecks in her eyes. The way hercheeks went gaunt and how she inhaled sharply. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Blue.”

He frowned up at her. “Why not? West is my friend, and I like spending time with my friends.” He let out a tiny sound and crawled up on his knees, placing his hand up as a shield and whispered, “Are you not friends with him? Cause if so, then I’m not friends with him either.”

She smiled, trying to hide it. “No, Cobalt. He’s… he’s my friend.” Her gaze flicked to his for a single second, only to pull away and find an interest point on the floor. “You don’t need to pretend to hate him for my sake.”

Cobalt sighed in relief, “Good because I don’t know how long I would have been able to pretend that I didn’t like him. He’s far too nice to me for that.”

“Well, I’m glad you think so.” West grinned and began to kick off his boots. “And I’ll stay with you, if your sister is fine with it.”

She nodded once, all the agreement that she was going to give. But she still didn’t look at him, and it killed some essential part of him. As if something lurked below her skin, something that she wanted to hide and avoid, something that he wanted to ease her burden with.

“Go get ready for bed, Cobalt.” Crimson urged him off the sheets and pushed him towards the bathing room as she began to clean up the mess in the center of the covers. He hopped off and scurried into the room, the door closing with a loudbangthe next moment.

She pushed all of the candy towards the jar and let it fall in, piece by piece. The lid soon followed and she set it on the nearest shelf as West tossed his boots towards his dresser. He studied her carefully as she continued to move around the bed, readying it for the three of them. There was enough room, more than it.

“Are you alright?” He asked, unbuckling his belt and hanging his sword on his chair. “You seem… out of it tonight.”

She hesitated, and he wasn’t sure if she’d share anything with him or not. If she chose not to, he would simply understand and leave it be. But then Crimson reached into her pocket and pulled out a necklace.

One he immediately knew.

“Is that…” He trailed off as she spun the heart around.

“My father’s relic.” She confirmed. “I went hunting for it today and found it. I didn’t know it was his, or else I wouldn’t have sold it when we were younger. Thank the Saints that the merchant still had it.”

West asked for it without a word and she gave it to him. The chain was still warm from the heat of her flesh, and he might have enjoyed it too much. He gently flipped the item around, taking in every detail and line, noticing every dent and crack. Within the small pendant, he could feel the pulse of a thousand hearts and the thud of blood flowing through the carved veins.

“That’s it alright.” He muttered and handed it back to her before the eerie feeling of a real heart could wash over him. “I’m assuming you tried to call him?”

“Considering that no one knows how to use it, yes. I tried what felt right. But I think we should still head to Valkrigge in the morning. I haven’t succeeded in anything, just confirmed our chances have increased.”

“I agree. Until we have all our ducks in a row, it’s best to explore all of the options.” He pointed towards the chain as she set it on the dresser counter. “Keep trying with it. I’m not even sure what the correct way to summon the damned Saint is, but if anyone would know then it would be you.”

“Because I’m his daughter?” Sour, cold and harsh. She soundedas if she hated that fact, hated that the same blood of Heartache ran through her.

West stepped closer. As close as he dared without blurring the lines between them. He wasn’t entirely sure what they were anymore, since he’d kissed her until neither one of them could breathe. Since he wanted nothing more than to do it again. “Because clearly he trusted you with it, which means that he knew you’d be able to call him home if you required it.”

She didn’t back away.

He took that as a good sign.

Crimson looked up at him through her black lashes. “I don’t know if I truly want to see him again.”

“I know.” He murmured and without thinking, caressed her arm. “I can only imagine what this entire thing is going to be like for you. I won’t lie and tell you that it will be easy, because it won’t and I don’t ever want to lie to you, Crimson.” His fingers brushed along her wrist and he could feel the faint thrum of excitement there. “But you’re doing what you have to do. You’re doing what you’ve always done, and I know it won’t mean much but I’m proud of you.”

She let out a soft, staggering breath.

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