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Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa was not expecting the door to open and when he was sent sprawling he let out a small groan of pain only to notice Anja was beneath him. He quickly moved to get up, pausing at her words and instead moving to look down at her.

He reached to touch at her, pausing and letting out a small breath. "It's like I can never escape these situations with you... Where we're close." He then began to pull away once more, avoiding her gaze. "It didn't feel wrong for me either..." He looked at her with a somewhat pained look on his face.

Tousa was so unsure, he was torn between what he wanted and what he needed to do. He didn't know if she would have an answer or something to say but it was a hope that maybe something would come out of the situation, some idea or plan.

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa was tugged one way and he was kissed on the lips once more just as they had done before they were interrupted, then just as quickly as it begun he was pushed away and she was hiding her face and curling up on the floor. He didn't know how to react to the situation anymore.

His brain was the first to tell him what to do and actively pursue. He took a deep breath and laid next to her, pressing his back against hers. "It's okay... It was nice, though I think you could do with a little less pushing. I also think that the floor is a bit of an uncomfortable place to be for a prince and the person whose beside him. I might regret it later, but if it doesn't feel wrong now, I'm going to take your reckless stance that you usually have and say ******** it, I'm going to enjoy this while I can."

Tousa glanced over his shoulder to try and see what she was doing. "What about you? Do you want to just enjoy what time we have together rather than worry about the consequences?"

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa gave a small smile and a nod. "Alright.." He followed her in silence, moving to join her in the bed. Tonight had been one of the strangest, if not the strangest night he had ever had. An arm moved to gently hold Anja close to him and his own eyes were closed soon after.

Despite knowing that they would not do more, even being this close set his heart at a decent tempo, and it was difficult for him to get in the mindset of sleep. Eventually however exhaustion got the better of him and he fell asleep with gentle breathing every now and then. It was better than sleeping in a bedroll for sure.

Prince Tousa of Darinest

It took a while longer for Tousa to wake up, and when he did it was with a shudder and then a groan, one eye barely opening to look around. "Well... Last night wasn't a dream conjured up by the alcohol... I was worried it might be." He muttered before keeping the eye closed and just holding Anja close.

"You know you're really warm, perfect for mornings like this." He whispered in a teasing tone as he laid there for a moment, his whisper turning from teasing to caring as he continued. "How's your head? You hit it on the floor last night and we had plenty of drinks thanks to those guards..."

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa gave a chuckle as she moved to cover his mouth, moving a hand up to try and get rid of it from his face. Then it was her stretching before coming back and he just shifted a bit to get more comfortable. However the moment didn't last. Soon her warmth was gone and she was getting out of the bed.

The frown on his face was quickly hidden and he gave a nod. "I suppose we do. Some string to sell and then to head on to the next city." He got out of the bed hesitantly and moved to put on his disguise so they could escape with ease just in case they ran into those guards from the night before.

The rest of the day went by without much of anything significant happening. They sold the string, they got out of town without being harassed and then they kept travelling till it was almost sundown. At first Tousa tried to talk to Anja, but it became readily apparent to him that she was thinking or avoiding it and eventually he stopped talking. This happened for the next day. And then the day after that.

Two weeks went by with little to no difference between them. It was focused on the task of getting to the capital, and eventually Tousa's demeanor as the Prince came to the front again as the days went by. However, even as he kept the front up, he would often have moments of melancholy. His practice with his weapon lessened, and instead he took to sitting and thinking for long periods of time.

The book on Lycan was barely touched if at all during the next two weeks and eventually just forgotten about. They never got closer than was necessary and overall, Tousa's mood just became more and more soured. By the time they reached the capital's cobbled roads towards the city, he was more defeated than he had ever felt previously in his life. His head just kind of hung low. This was the end of the road of trying to get anything to work or figure anything out.

He pulled on his horse's reins as the clopping of his horses hooves told him where they were. The city was still a ways in the distance, but estates had already begun to surround the road lending to why it was a cobbled street all the way out here. His gaze shifted to Anja. "Well... There it is... My home." He stated with an almost bitter tone at the fact.

Prince Tousa of Darinest

Tousa just gave a small sigh as she kept going, then he began to straighten his back as they marched towards the city. It was a very long march for him, despite the distance that was being traveled was quite short. There was no disguise this time as they approached the city.

As soon as the guards at the gate saw the two, several of them rushed forward while one took off into the capital. A gong was rang and several others came out from the gatehouse, armed with pikes. Tousa drew his spear as they came closer, getting read for a fight.

However the men moved right past him and towards Anja. He should have figured as much. He turned his horse around and shouted. "Men you will not harm that woman. She is under my protection as the Prince of Darinest. You will escort me to my father immediately. I have important news as to my disappearance and more than a few discoveries that need to be told to him. They have come to light thanks to that woman that you are holding hostage."

Tousa let his horse ride closer and he pointed his spear at one of the men. "Do I make myself clear soldiers?" However it was not the soldiers in the cluster around Anja that responded. Instead, another man on a horse drew closer

"So, Prince Tousa, you decided to finally appear, and at the Capital Gates no less. I am surprised, you have become very resourceful since the time you have left. Might you share the tale of you and your new traveling companion while me and my men escort you?" The voice sneered from behind the helmet.

Tousa's face contorted with frustration as this person approached. "What are you doing here Prince Zavia? Last I checked your kingdom wanted nothing to do with ours. Unless my father somehow was able to bribe you."

"He did indeed Prince Tousa, don't worry, you shall soon see how he bribed us into fighting your petty little war, besides it looks like you could use a helping hand martialing your troops. Alright men, let her go, she isn't a threat yet so there is no reason to treat a lady in Prince Tousa's care so roughly." The man turned his horse around. "I just hope you haven't done anything stupid while you were away from your father's watchful gaze Prince Tousa... This alliance could depend on it."

Prince Tousa of Darinest & Prince Zavia

The men brought their spears back slowly, the bristling metal edges pulling away from Anja. Just as they did, so to did Tousa's spear from the one man he had his weapon pointed at, the weapon finding itself in the holster soon enough. However the guards did not just fall away, instead surrounding all three of them like liquid. Tousa glanced to Anja, shaking his head slightly.

The man in front of them on a horse, this Prince Zavia glanced over his shoulder. "As you so wish. As long as you keep your feet and hands where I can see them I do not think we will have a problem. Though I must think of something to call you... Give me a moment." The group was forced forward by the wall of foot soldiers around them.

"Mmm, yes, I think I know what to call you now." The man stated, the great sword the man wielded resting in his lap. "I think you will be the Prince's Pet seeing how pridefully he rode up with you. Does that sound better?"

"Do not insult my guest Prince Zavia. Do not forget whose kingdom you are in. Her name is Anja and you will address her as such." Tousa cut in, eyes narrowed.

"Watch yourself half-breed." Zavia spat back. "Before a real member of a royal family puts you in your place with his blade, you know as well as I you aren't a match for me or my magic. What was the count last time? One to Nineteen in my favor?"

Tousa flinched at that, glancing down at his saddle. "I will take my chances if it comes down to it Prince Zavia. That one time is still a time I won, if I did it once I can do it again."

"We'll see if you can say that after you've seen your father and been dealt with, as well as... Anja here" Was all Zavia stated as they continued to march.

They were through the gates with little hassle beyond the entourage they had, but citizens had already gathered to point Tousa out and look to each other with happier faces than they once previously had. Here at least, it seemed Tousa was recognized more so than in previous cities and he seemed to be appreciated. There were a few children who ran by and eventually, he moved to get off his horse and handed it over to one of the men that was walking with them so he could move over to some children and pick one up onto his shoulders.

The guards didn't seem to like the stop, much less so than the Prince leading them, but despite his actions, Tousa kept following the group, setting one child down to pick up another, or to wave at those who called out greetings, and to greet them back. He held a warm glow in his smile, and while yes he seemed stress, being home gave him a more humble appearance than what he might have previously worn, and it certainly wasn't the face of a soldier at this point in time that he had on.