Elina

But that would create a commotion. A report would be written. Head hunters would be sent after me and Elina. I'd never be able to enter Larose and Merkelborough for the rest of my life. I would lose access to the payment for capturing Elina. Yulia and I would be on the run again.

So I stayed still. I folded my arms.

I said, "How strange...why do your handcuffs say that my wife is witch?"

The guard had his hand on his sword handle. But he didn't draw. A calculating look on his face.

I suppose my reaction was unexpected. If Elina really was a witch, I'd be attacking him right now. Or Elina would summon up some magic. But neither of us did anything. Which confused him.

Simon Withstone grabbed Elina by the arm.

He said, "M'am, come with me. I'll need to perform a closer inspection."

I took in a sharp breath. The only thing more troublesome than a guard was a guard who couldn't be bribed.

I said, "Wait! She is my wife. You can't just take her away!"

Simon drew his sword.

"Sir, please step back."

Elina said nothing. She took off her hooded cape and handed it to me. Then Simon Withstone led her away. Through the gates, made a turn and vanished behind the city walls. The sound of a door opening. The sound of a door closing.

I stood next to my cart. Other travelers passed through the gate, giving me curious looks, making curious whispers. I ignored them.

The door creaked open. Someone stepped out. I waited.

Simon Withstone came back.

He said, "Sir, do you have an inn booked for the night?"

"Where is my wife?"

"She is fine. Where will you stay for the night?"

"Somewhere cheap."

Simon made a face. Like something displeased him.

He said, "Sir, I will accommodate you to an inn I've assigned for you."

"Why?"

"Orders." A hand on his sword handle.

"Where is my wife?"

"Like I said. She is fine. Don't worry about her."

I sighed. This was going to be troublesome. I need to get rid of Simon and I had to find Elina. And I had to do all of that without becoming a wanted criminal.

Getting rid of Simon came first.

I took the reins and walked on foot. Next to Simon. We went through the gates and entered Larose.

Larose was always an interesting city. Unlike the Eisen Capital and Merkelborough, the Church of Deliverance had little influence here. It was a city that rose out of the ground with the power of money. And where there was money, there were ways to spend it.

Food stalls selling all of sorts of things. Exotic fruits, bread, fried fish — anything the mouth desired.

Crackpot inventors and scam artists tried out their wildest ideas.

It was a city with both the best and worst of humanity plainly on the surface.

Simon stopped me. Grabbed my arm. He pointed at a place.

He said, "Sir, this is the inn where you will be staying."

"Huh?"

I looked at the building. It was built using red bricks and glittered with large panels of imported glass windows. The door was gilded with gold and silver. The building itself was three floors tall, the tallest building in the city.

Simon said, "The King's Lodge. It's the best inn in our city."

I said, "And the most expensive."

Simon said, "I command you to stay here."

Instead of replying, I began to walk away. No point in wasting time with this.

Simon said, "Sir, you have not been excused."

He grabbed my shoulder. I stopped. There was unexpected strength in his grip. I tried to move. His grip grew stronger.

"Move it," I said.

Simon laughed. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into a dark alleyway. The kind where nothing good ever happens. The lights and noise of the main street faded away.

I was ready to fight. This location was to my advantage. No witnesses here.

But he was faster. Grabbed both of my shoulders and threw me to the ground. Before I could react, he got on top of me and reached into my pockets. His hands were warm and insistent.

I tried to push him off. He wouldn't budge.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

He took out the bundle of honey candy treats.

He said, "How devilish of you to bribe me with candy, hmm?"

He took one out and put it between his lips. He lowered his face towards mine, until our lips were separated only by the candy.

W-wait! No! Not like this!

I said, "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in men."

"But I'm interested in you~"

He swallowed the candy, our lips brushed lightly.

Wait.

Something wasn't right.

Men had a strong musky scent, mixed with the smell of sweat. But this guy...he didn't smell like anything at all.

He said, "How mean...you had these sweet treats and you've never shared them with your dear wife."

I said, "How do you know I've never shared these with my wife."

A moment of silence. I looked into his eyes. They weren't human eyes. Deep down, I saw a spark of silver. It danced and jumped, like it was having fun. Like the eyes of a particular witch.

Simon grinned and took out another honey treat. Put it between his lips.

He closed his eyes. Then opened them again. They had turned to glowing silver. He put a hand on his face. Removed his hands. His face had vanished. Instead, a familiar sight appeared above me.

I said, "Elina."

She grinned from ear to ear.

She said, "Was that your first kiss?"

She rolled on the ground and laughed until tears came out.

It took her a while to calm down.

She said, "Oh Salem, you should've seen your face. Blushing like an innocent maiden~"

I said nothing. My face felt hot with embarrassment. Any more words would just add fuel to the fire.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me up.

"Come now. We have to reserve a room at the King's Lodge."

"We're not staying there."

Then I noticed. She had two bundles in her hands. One with the honey treats. And the other...

I felt my pockets.