Elina

Didn't even tell me not to run away, not to cause trouble. Just turned around. No hesitation in his movements. Didn't even glance back at me.

His eyes were on Anja. Took her hand and danced with her around the fire. She rested her head against his chest. He put his hands on her waist. She giggled. Breathed softly. Whispered something. Salem blushed and felt manly.

But something was off.

And it was me.

The villagers only paid attention to Salem. They were around the fire, cheering on dancing couples. I sat on the cart, away from the fire. They ignored me. To them I was supposed to be Salem's wife. But they acted like I wasn't even here.

Which meant one thing.

They usually only dealt with lone male travelers on this part of the road. And lone male travelers rarely have wife with them. They didn't know what to do with me, so they did nothing. Better to ignore the pesky wife than to do something wrong.

So I watched. Observed the village. Enjoyed this little charade. Watch Salem have fun. It might be the last fun he'll ever have.

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SALEM: I wasn't stupid enough to leave Elina alone. She was the only way to save Yulia. But I also knew that there was something she wanted from me.

A down payment for your trust.

Which means that she won't run away. At least not now. Not until she has found someone to replace me. Or a way to force me to trust her.

But she isn't going to find either of those in a village like this. A tiny settlement hidden in the forest, in the middle of nowhere, sealed off from the world.

Maybe that's why I liked Anja. She wasn't like those girls you saw in Merkelborough or the political center, the Eisen Capital. There was something about her. Something simple. Her eyes were pure like the sky after a storm. Like a child that grew into an adult and never learned of how cruel the world can be. A smile that had never been tainted by the city.

She took my hand and led me to the bonfire. She threw her head back and laughed. We turned, turned, turned. Eventually she came close and rested her head against my chest.

Her back and shoulders were small. Somehow my hands rested on her waist. She felt soft and warm. She didn't pull away. Her breathing was gentle.

The drum beats slowed down. Anja leaned into me. I could feel her heartbeat.

She raised her head and whispered. "I always wanted to travel. See the world. The splendor. But I never had the chance to do that."

Her eyes looked into mine. Something forlorn in the way she looked. Some sadness that begged for relief.

"What's Merkelborough like?" she asked.

Anja's eyes widened. Sparkled with fascination. And then she looked down.

She said, "I wish I could go there..."

Something in her voice. Something in her words. As if her heart was going to break.

I said, "We could go together."

She looked up at me. Surprised. Astonished. She smiled. "Yes, let's go together."

She stopped dancing. Stood on her toes and kissed me on the cheek. Her lips were soft. Her sweet scent was hypnotic. The kiss ended, but she lingered for a moment. Her warm breath against my ear, her breasts against my chest. She whispered clandestine words.

She stepped back. Turned and walked away.

My heart beat fast. My chest filled with an emotion I hadn't felt since I was a boy.