Page 17 of Daughter of the Serpent

Yet just as she was about to turn away he caught her gaze, and despite his usual grace, he nearly tripped over his feet.

Sylvie quickly diverted herself, hiding her face once more under the shelter of her hood, blending back into the crowd before he could confirm her whereabouts. She reached for Tara’s hand, bringing her further into the crowd, ensuring as many people came between her and Haldor as possible.

Despite his exploits, she was sure he wouldn’t approve of her having any.

“I just spotted Haldor!” Sylvie said under the breath with urgency, as Tara came close.

“I told you!” Tara squealed, squeezing her hand. “He’s at all the festivities.”

“He can’t see us here.” Sylvie responded, ignoring the pure thrill Tara was currently experiencing. “There is no doubt that he will take us back to the temple.”

Tara laughed. “Well then we better stick to the - ”

She felt a hand grip into her shoulder.

Spinning her round, she found herself looking into Haldor’s face, instantly meeting his piercing stare. His blue eyes flickered, full of ice. They narrowed briefly before widening as they roamed over her attire.

She guessed he was as struck by her appearance as she had been by his.

"What are you two doing here?" he inquired, his voice low and casual, yet a glint of intensity flashed in his eyes. "I had thought you would know better than to be here, especially alone - you're ladies of the light, not to be spoiled or blemished, in case you have forgotten.”

“I should say the same thing to you.” Sylvie challenged, defiance squaring the set of her shoulders.

While he portrayed himself as an honorable, stoic warrior, Sylvie knew better - the same rebellious spirit ran through his veins as strongly as it did hers. Unlike Sylvie, however, he didn't hesitate to act on it.

“Yet it is not I that will be whipped if caught here - you know the way of things.” He swept a hand through his hair. “It could affect your standing, your reputation - ”

“And what about her?” Tara challenged, signaling to the girl still waiting on the side lines for Haldor’s return. “Do you worry about spoiling her reputation?”

“There is nothing to spoil.” He smirked.

Sylvie snapped her mouth shut, her words seeping through gritted teeth. “You vulgar…”

“I’d be careful not to finish that,” He warned, “You may recall how Ireact to insults.”

Sylvie rolled her eyes, recalling the time someone else had called him a selfish pig - only to be rolling in their own filth shortly after. Though Haldor was accommodating to her at least, he had a short temper.

“How is it that you get to be here, doing whatever you please, and we cannot?” Sylvie reasoned. “Just because we are women, does not mean we should not be able to also take part.”

“It is not as much that you are a woman, but that you are of the light - you know that.”

The crowd shifted around them, the movement never for a moment stalling as they both stood stoic in the crowd. He pulled her away then, to the edges of the festivities, his hand gripping into hers with sudden force. The cool air swept in, a welcome relief from the sweltering heat of the celebration.

"Did Tara persuade you to come?" he asked, blue eyes flashing.

"What if she did?" Sylvie felt her defenses heightening - Haldor may have been her good friend, but she wasn’t a child.

"You give her too much control, Sylvie," he observed, his voice edged with concern. "She acts, and you follow, like a mother appeasing a demanding child. If you're caught, you'll bear the consequences as her elder, not her."

"Tara's not like that, Haldor. She's good to me - she's my only friend here."

"I thought I was your only friend," he teased, his gaze intense, leaving her momentarily breathless, yet his expression sobered quickly.

"Just promise me," he implored, searching her eyes, his hands now gripping into her arms warming her at the touch. "You won't get hurt because of her."

She nodded. “So you’re not forcing us to leave?”

“I know better than anyone that I cannot force you to do anything. Besides, it would bring much unwanted attention,” Straightening, he looked around them, his eyes discerning. “Just be careful. You both are too innocent to this world.”