Page 113 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
I was not supposed to be here, and I was not going to draw attention to that. Aside from visiting one temple—and getting no response to my questions—I’d stayed at home in my bridge. That meant no daring adventures with my favorite characters, no fixing things by my own hand, and limited Casts. I would be an outside guiding force toward everyone else’s happily ever after.
Julian and his stupidly handsome face had made me overstep further than I should have, and here we were.
“If you look at it objectively,” the object of my desire said, offering a small silver lining. “You can see your own future now.”
I reached up with one trembling hand and swept a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Not unless one of the gods’ chosen is going to be standing around staring at me all day.”
His brow knit together as he watched me, but before he could reply, there was a knock on the door.
The grand duchess called in a familiar elf knight dressed in red and silver. “The prisoner is secure, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Karl.” Calisto walked to the door and looked over her shoulder at me and her son. “Why don’t you two go enjoy the rest of your evening whileIhandle Alice?”
“Have you recaptured heralready?” I asked, shocked and impressed.
“If only,” Calisto replied. “No, we’ve captured your assassin, and I’m going to go review his paperwork.”
“Ah … How is Lady Amy?” I made a note to make time for the elf saintess before I left … A note I’d made many times already and utterly failed to follow through with.
Why was it so hard juggling the future and friendship?
“She was curled up with Slake Drakeford in a resting room last I checked.” The duchess said, then bid us farewell, leaving me alone with Julian.
“So …” he said, suddenly shortening the distance between us. I caught my breath but stayed where I was. His voice spoke with a casual air I didn’t think wasquiteright for our current situation. “Where would you like me to escort you next?”
Julian raised an eyebrow, waiting for my decision. I wondered what he would do if I grabbed him by the collar and stole a kiss—something for all the trouble he was putting me through.
Instead, I reached out and wrapped my arms around his, surprising him. Good. Against my wishes, I told the duke of the North, “Why don’t you drop me off with Lady Amy and you follow the grand duchess? I might have been the target, butyousuffered the assassin’s final blow. I’m sure you have questions.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, gently resting a hand on mine, holding them tight as they shook just ever so slightly.
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
It was a short walk to find Lady Amy. Duke Julian asked one of the royal guards stationed in the hall, and they pointed to three doors down, closer to the ballroom.
When we arrived, Julian reminded me, “You promised me the last dance, Miss Gerda, and I am going to hold you to it.” He reached out and knocked twice on the door, opening it when a muffled sound called out. I found myself standing in a room with Lady Amy sitting on a chair with a grimalcat on her lap, Julian closing the door behind me.
Amy looked apologetic that she couldn’t stand to greet me. “Miss Gerda.”
Slake rolled over in the elf’s lap, showing Amy his tummy while eyeing me. “Madame Potts.”
Lady Amy momentarily bit her lip before tentatively resting a hand on the soft belly. She held her breath. I held my breath. She let out a sigh when he didn’t immediately maul her.
“I just came to check in and see how you were handling things.” I walked over to take the seat across from them.
Lady Amy moved her hand up into the tuft of fluff between Slake’s front legs, scratching as he purred happily. The elf’s shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry. I should have warned you, but I thought … I don’t know what I thought.”
“I mean, I’m not angry. I know life and death in this world are treated more …casuallythan I’m used to, but I’m an elite now.” I leaned back in my chair, showing my lack of very real concern.
“Do you forgive me?” Lady Amy looked up at me with anxious eyes, but at least she was looking at me.
“Of course. Doyouforgiveme?” At her confused look, I added, “This is your first foray into society, and I don’t think Henrietta or I were very good friends. We should have been there for you, to offer advice and keep you out of trouble.”
“What—No! You’ve been—Ouch!” The grimalcat bit her hand hard enough to draw blood. “Slake!”
“Ask for a favor.” Slake licked the blood off the elf girl’s hand, his eyes glowing a soft green. “From the nice bridge troll.”
As expected from an intelligent grimalcat … the soul-eating feline creature of darkness was an expert in the proper way of things.
