Chapter 17

Keira woke up in the middle of the night in Tanten's underground accommodations set up by Malik, sensing someone walking nearby.

I can't sleep when people are always moving around.

She sighed and sat up.

Even if they manage to create the other seal, it'll probably still be a weaker version, which isn't exactly what we're looking for. I suppose we're one step ahead. Where else can we go for more information? Maybe Suikara to the northeast. Shun didn't exactly give more instructions than finding out how to fix the seals... Would they know more? I don't even know if they've been attacked like Tanten already was. What if I'm too late?

Keira shook her head and hopped out of bed.

I need to train.

Geared up, Keira headed out of her room into the dimly lit hallway. She stopped in front of Rui's room. I shouldn't bother him.

A few people busy moving things around bowed to her as she passed by them and went up through the passageway to the castle.

Outside, she took a deep breath of the cool night air.

Should just travel at night when we're around here; it's so much better out. Now... where can I train? Maybe I should get rid of a few more sand-rays, though I might get flak from Rui and Aki.

Someone's coming...

"An odd time to be wandering off. You're not thinking of fighting demons on your lonesome, are you?"

"Can't say it didn't cross my mind. What are you doing out here, Malik?" Keira turned to find him sitting on the steps to the castle door.

"I had a short nap and felt anxious, so I went for a walk and spotted a beauty wandering the halls on her lonesome. I couldn't turn away, so I followed. I know you're the last person to need a bodyguard, but I couldn't help but want to keep you safe. Hence, saying something before you wandered too far into dangerous territory."

"I was feeling restless, so I wanted to do some training."

"Up for some sparring?" Malik smiled, the wind blowing his hair back as the bright moon reflected in his eyes.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Keira tapped her sword at her hip. "I'm not sure a king would like to lose to a woman."

Malik chuckled. "I see nothing wrong with that. You are no ordinary woman, and it would be an honour to lose a fight to you. Perchance, are you afraid you won't win, Miss. Ice Queen?"

Stupid nickname follows me everywhere. "Of course not. I will win." Her eyes glowed.

"Hey, no powers!"

A shame I won't get to see more of his powers firsthand. "Okay, no powers. Should we discard our weapons?"

"It's one thing to swing a sword, but it's another to attempt to punch you. I'll stick with the sword."

Keira smirked. "Should we switch to wooden ones? Wouldn't want an irreparable accident to happen."

"I think both of us are good enough to stop before a mistake happens."

"If you say so." Keira stepped back and drew her sword.

"Let's go." Malik drew his sword as he rushed at her.

She blocked his rapid swings with ease.

"You're going to have to try harder than that."

"And you'll have to go on the offensive." Malik smiled.

"Fine." Keira dodged to the side and attacked.

Malik jumped back and twirled, swinging his sword.

They dodged and attacked fluidly, as if they were dancing, until Keira suddenly sped up and knocked his sword flying out of his hand.

It landed a few metres away with a clang.

"It seems I've lost." Malik held his hands up, and Keira lowered her sword. "That was quite fun, though."

Keira nodded, sheathed her sword, and picked his up, tossing it to him.

"Thank you." He held his hand out to her.

"Thank you as well." She shook his hand.

He pulled her closer and kissed the back of her hand.

Keira's eyes widened, and she froze. Did he just...? Why would he do that? Is that a normal greeting? It'd be weird if that were normal after a fight. I don't know their customs well enough to say what it was...

He smiled as he gazed up at her through his long lashes. "How can such a warrior be so mystically beautiful at the same time?"

What is he going on about?

"I must ask to be sure, but are you attached?"

"Attached?" She frowned. "What do you mean?" Attached to what? To my sword? Of course. My horse? Definitely.

Malik smirked. "I mean, do you have a husband? A boyfriend? A lover?"

Aki's visage flashed in her mind. Why did I think of him?! Her face flushed. "N-no, I don't, though I'm not sure why that's relevant to anything. I'm too busy fighting to care about a relationship."

"Hmm, is that so?" He stood, staring into her eyes as he kept hold of her hand. "What if your lover is also a fighter?"

She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened. "I never thought about it, but I doubt that helps the fact that I have no time for relationships."

"If you really wanted it, you could make time, like we have right now."

"I guess that means I don't want it."

"Or you just never thought it was an option."

He's not completely wrong... Maybe he's more like Shun than I thought. Keira shook her head. "Why are you asking about this, anyway?"

"I should think there's one main reason for a man such as myself to be invested in your relationship status." He let go of her hand and held it over his heart as he bowed. "I know you're busy on your mission, which is important to us all, but I'd like for you to at least think of me as an option."

"An option?"

"How cute." He chuckled, brushing her hair back over her ear as she watched him carefully. "An option as your future lover, boyfriend, and eventual husband."

"Oh..." Another insane person. "But you're a king."

His cheek twitched. "So? Does that mean I don't want to fall in love?"

"L-love?" Cool it; he said 'fall' in love, as in he isn't. She took a deep breath.

"Is that not the problem? If it's how my predecessors had concubines, don't worry about that; I refuse to take any, even if there are calls for it."

"That's... good to know." I can respect that, at least. Not sure how to take the rest, though. "But I'm not from here."

"You'd be a strong link between kingdoms."

Geez, do all kings think like this?

"Well, just think about it." He leaned in close and kissed her cheek. "I'm available for you." He winked at her and turned to head back inside. "I'll see you in the morning. Don't stay out too long."

Keira stood, staring at the doors after he left, her mind swirling on repeat. Why in the world would he have a romantic interest in me? Is it because they lost too many warriors to the ancient demon? That would be a way to keep me here. Or he could be crazy, like Aki. Who knows?

"Ugh." She roughly scratched her head.

It's impossible to know without asking him, and even then, who knows if he has a proper answer. Whatever, after we head off, I most likely won't see him for a long while.

Not wanting to head back to bed, Keira went to check on Sora, who was staying in the stable at the back of the castle after Malik invited them to stay.

"Hey, girl, I see you're awake, as usual." Keira sat beside her in the hay and pulled a carrot out of her pouch for her, stroking her hair as she ate. "I hope you're doing okay. I know you don't like the heat, but at least it cools down at night. I'm sorry that you'll have to go out into the heat again as we head to Suikara, looking for more information."

Keira yawned and leaned on Sora.

More comfortable here than in bed.

Her eyes drooped as she stroked Sora's hair. Before long, she fell asleep.