Page 85 of The Ballad of a Bard

“I didn’t realise that there had been more. No wonder you asked for that knife when you did. I can’t imagine what’s been racing through your head as these have been spontaneously emerging from nothing.” He sighed and flipped around, proppinghis back up against the worn railing. “I want you to feel safe, Heartstrings, regardless of where you are or who you’re with. Myself included.”

Pity stuck to her like the barnacles on the hull of the boat, scraping alongside her innards with sharp edges of shame for not telling him.

“West, Ihavefelt safe.” She placed her hand atop his bicep and he tried to hide the small jerk. “You’ve provided far more for Cobalt and I than I could have ever done before. You put Damien and Thalias on bed duty over him during the duration of our travels. I don’t know how much more safe it could get. If I wasn’t feeling safe, then I wouldn’t have agreed to leave with you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His face fell, looking for all the world as if he failed at something. What, she didn’t know. “Do you not trust me?”

Her heart trilled, vibrated, buzzed as if he was the one who could control it. In a way, he was.

No, you moronic Saint. I trust you more than you could ever know. I think I might even love you.

That was what she wanted to say.

But she said none of that.

Instead she said, “Of course I do, West.”

He let out a breath. “Alright. But promise me, vow to me, that you will tell me immediately if another note shows up. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of practice or have other duties, you tell me.” He held his hand out to her once more, free of parchment.

Crimson studied it, feigning turning it down until he lifted a brow and grasped it firmly. Their fingers locked together and even through the thick fabric of his leather, she could feel the pulsing heat of his magical light. She smiled up at him and he returned it with a sideways turn of his lips.

“You’d better, Heartstrings. You’ve shaken a deal with a Saint after all. Dangerous things could happen if you don’t fulfil it.”

She could feel her face pale. “Could there actually?”

West barked out a short laugh. “Already thinking about going back on your word?”

“No!” Crimson protested.

He grinned. “You don’t sound so sure. I might have to keep a closer eye on you to keep you locked into that bargain.”

She wouldn’t have minded that.

She wouldn’t have minded if he stayed by her side forever. There was a light that entered her system at the idea of that, one that she pushed away before it distracted her completely.

“Forgive me for wanting to delve deeper into the small details and vast knowledge you must have about the entire topic of conversation. Forgive me for exploring this newfound-”

She almost said relationship.

But that word felt like a mistake.

“Friendship.” West offered up.

“Friendship.” She confirmed.

Her answering smile wasn’t as reassuring as she wanted it to be, she could feel it in the wavering confidence that sank through her like a stone tossed into a river. Disappointment bubbled up like air, trying to escape. It doused any flickering ember or hope of something else with him.

West didn’t seem to notice.

If he did, he didn’t say anything.

West was correct and they didn’t end up needing the captain’s cabin. By the time the first sign of the crescent moon slank intothe midnight sky, they had docked on the shores of Valkrigge. The crew wished them luck as they unearthed their supplies, handing them over before lowering the gangplank into place and giving the go ahead to depart. The captain spoke with West before they left, informing him that they’d be back in five days time.

She looked back towards West in confirmation that it would be enough time to travel across the lands to Belledon and back. He told her that it was, soothing her giddy nerves. Worst case, he said, they could always hire another boat to take them back to Tazali if they ran late.

Crimson wasn’t a fool, she knew he meant a bribe.

They headed for the nearest inn, with the intention to begin their search for the elusive Saint first thing in the morning after a bite to eat and a full night of rest. But travelling at night throughout any part of Valkrigge, especially the run down town that they’d landed in, was not a good idea. West told her about the sort that prowled through the lands, and their misguided habits.

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