I apologize in advance for typos and allll that. BUT I knew I wouldn't be home for a while where my laptop is so I decided to update anyways. I hope you all enjoy!!!

Chapter Nineteen

"Papa, where are the eggs?"

"Behind the milk!" This was shouted from upstairs before I could hear his footsteps descending.

I checked, and there they were. I had decided to make food for my little one since the two of us were staying with my father this weekend. Todd wasn't pleased, but I refused to let him run around in a town with strangers.

He currently sat patiently at my feet, his head tilted up as he watched my every movement. It was as if his stomach was never-ending. I leaned down, running a hand down his back before my father joined us.

I pressed my lips against his cheek, frowning down at Todd when he bared his teeth. "You are not being nice. Enough," I scolded, watching his mouth uncurl before he tilted his head innocently at me.

"I am sure he will settle down once he's fed," my father said, chuckling before he walked to the small wooden table and sat there. "How have things been, sweetheart?" he asked, a thread of caution hidden in his words. He knew something was wrong, as he always did.

"Fine, Papa. It is nothing for you to worry yourself with," I replied, focusing on Todd's food.

I could hear him sigh before I looked over and saw the small shake of his head. "I'll always worry about you, Rowan. You are my greatest treasure; have you not realized that by now?"

I loved him more than anything, but I knew once I told him of the incident at the castle, he would insist we leave. It was different seeing the lifeless body lying there rather than just hearing about the numerous murders.

"How is everyone treating you? Do you enjoy it?" I asked, hoping to catch him off guard. I was proven successful when he face lit up like a star, a grin taking over his face.

"It's wonderful, sweetheart. The town's people aren't afraid of me nor do they treat me any differently. There are events every week that Lily and I attend-" he started and I raised an eyebrow, glancing at him.

"Lily? Is she the one sent to watch over you?" I asked, making sure that there was someone sent to watch over him. It was part of the agreement and I had not had the time to properly introduce myself to her or make sure she was okay.

"Yes, she's lovely. She's quite different from you. Has the patience and ease that you never seemed to grasp," he teased, showing all his teeth. I smiled at his joke, laughing.

Had anyone else said it, I might have snapped about where they could take their negative comments. However, I knew my father did not mean it harshly. He often told me that my temper and stubborn behavior were an advantage, not a disadvantage.

"Ahh, you must be enjoying the contrast. Has she been taking care of you? Has she been helping with the daily chores, going to the market-" I was cut off as he walked over to me, hushing me.

"Rowan, you don't need to worry about me. Lily helps as much as she can. However, I am still capable of doing some work by myself. Do not spend your energy worrying about how I am. I have never been better," he explained, his words tugging at my heart painfully.

I knew if I asked, when everything was done, my father would leave here without question and return to the forest. He would do so because of me. But would he be happy there when here there were people to talk to, things to do, and places to go? Would he want to settle for a quiet forest where there was no one but Nature?

"I am glad you enjoy it here, Papa. Perhaps I will be able to worry less knowing that," I said softly, giving him a small smile.

I feared that soon we would be leaving the town, my services no longer being needed. If the King believed he killed the man then there would be no need to try helping him. They would finally kill him as they had been hoping to do for so many years.

It was rumored that the only reason the King was not dead was because the Queen had put a stop to the death sentence, despite King Sandalius pleading and begging to have someone end his life. She had said he would not be killed as her husband had. She wanted to give the King a chance to make up for his mistakes by giving him a "pass," so to speak. Since then, she has disappeared and the King has reigned over the lands.

Yet, knowing this, I would not tell my father. It would be wrong to ruin his happiness with the news that we would be leaving soon. I did not want to see him hurt in any way and I certainly did not want to be the cause of it. He had been through so much, sacrificed so much for me, that he deserved this happiness and so much more. I was already dreading the moment we did have to go.

"How often does Lily come by? Will I see her this weekend?" I asked, hoping to clear my mind. If I strayed too far, either Todd or my father would notice and begin to worry too.

He smiled at the question, answering, "Yes, today in fact. I invited her over to have dinner. It's a pleasant surprise to know you'll be joining us."

We talked some more while I fed Todd, who happily dozed off in my arms after. It was not too long before there was a knock on the door, my father's face etched with confusion while Todd stirred, grumbling.

"I didn't expect her until later," he explained and I stiffened, placing an annoyed Todd on the ground before telling my father that I would answer it.

Todd followed along, a sign that perhaps it was not danger that lay behind the door. I paused, taking a deep breath before swinging the door open. What I had expected was a council member or someone of equal grimness.

What I had not expected was a man dressed in a buttoned-down white shirt and black pants. His hair was tied in a ponytail today, the sun's shine bouncing right off. In his hands, he held a bouquet of flowers.

"Who is it, Rowan?" My father called from the other room while I frowned, opening the door and allowing our guest in.

"It is only Sage, Papa," I called back, closing the door behind him. I looked expectantly at him while he studied his surroundings, not saying a word to me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my father walked into the room, greeting Sage. "Hello, Rowan has said so much about you! Are those flowers for her? Did she tell you that sunflowers are her favorite?" my father said, laughing when I shot him a look.

"Hello, I came by to visit your daughter and thought it was only suitable to bring you a gift of sorts. They are from the castle's garden, where the most valued flowers are grown," Sage said, offering the roses to my father.

My father beamed at the gesture, more touched than Sage knew. My mother had grown a small garden outside of our house and once she passed away, my father had tended to it. Flowers were a weakness of his, no matter the type.

"They're beautiful, and quite large too. Have you been to the garden, Rowan? My, you must tell me about the flowers," he babbled, placing the flowers in the vase while openly admiring them.

I focused back on Sage, who was paying attention to Todd. Even though he had just eaten, Todd's front legs were on Sage's, his snout pressed against Sage's pocket as if he were trying to dig out whatever was there.

"What it so dire that it could not wait until the weekend?" I asked, watching Sage pull out a small piece of meat and hold it out to Todd. He didn't wait a second before snatching up the meat, pleading Sage for seconds.

"Enough," I said, watching Todd grumble before heading out the room.

My father re-entered the room, an apron tied around his waist. "Will you be joining us for dinner, Sage? There will be plenty for all four of us," my father asked, thrilled that he was cooking for more than the two of us.

"No, I will not. I apologize, but I have duties to return to at the castle. Perhaps next time," Sage said, a soft smile on his face. I relaxed a little, relieved he treated my father with respect.

"Nonsense! It won't be long and this way, you are filled up for the journey back. I'll set a plate for one more," he said, talking more so to himself than to Sage and me. I sighed, laughing softly as he walked away, muttering and setting up another spot at the dinner table.

Sage looked confused, unsure of what had happened. "If you truly need to leave, he will understand. Now will you explain why you came here in the first place?" I asked, my voice low. My father did not need to know what was going on.

Sage nodded, glancing out the window. "I cannot be long for there is a storm coming. However, I felt it was important to tell you that the council will be here when the week begins. They will expect to speak with you about this situation and about what we have been doing," he explained, studying me.

I looked away, frowning. "Sage, I do not think I am a credible source when it comes to the council. If a town filled with people did not trust me, why would a council built to protect those very people believe a word I have to say?" I asked carefully, hoping he would see reason.

"You do not have a choice in the matter. If you do not speak with the council, you will be punished for inaction and they will believe you are protecting the King. In reality, both of us are not sure what happened. It would be best to provide our statements rather than be silent and provide guilt.

You simply have to answer their question as straightforward as you can. Do not add on detail as you may provide them with something they can twist to fit their needs. They will try to confuse you and look for anything to use against the King. We cannot let that happen, do you understand?"

I was silent for a moment, the intensity of the situation slipping onto my shoulders and lying there, gaining more and more weight with each passing second. This was not supposed to be easy in any sense, yet I had not expected anything this drastic.

"I am familiar with how it works," I said, already exhausted from the process. Sage's eyes flickered with questions but before he could press me, there was a light knock on the door, signaling our last guest.

Dinner was pleasant; my father enjoyed the company. He and Lily spoke through most of it with Sage and I joining in on occasion. Todd had settled himself at my feet, chattering softly as if to throw in his opinion. None seemed to notice the decline in my mood.

"Papa, I will do them. Go sit down," I instructed, taking the plates from him. "Enjoy your guests. Allow them to compliment your cooking," I teased, hearing his laughter before he thanked me and left the room to join Sage and Lily.

I put up the leftovers before washing the dishes in a spaced-out state. It was a very meditative process, repeating the same thing over and over, allowing my mind to wander to other things than what was in front of me.

It was not until someone hand brushed my upper arm that I realized I was no longer alone. I looked over, spotting Sage who now held the towel I was going to use to dry the dishes.

He began drying them silently and we both worked like that, neither of us saying a word to one another. It was somehow still comfortable, reminding me of the silence that lay between the animals in the forest.

It was then that the lights flickered before darkness surrounded us completely. I could hear my father reassuring Lily, sharing past memories of the countless times the lights in our house had dimmed out.

"I think the storm arrived early," my father said, laughing before he lit a candle, the lone flame dancing to its own beat.

I could hear Sage curse lightly under his breath before we both thought it was best to join them in the living room.

"Is your horse going to be okay?" my father asked, looking at Sage.

He nodded, although his expression still appeared troubled. "She's been placed within a stable. I walked the way here."

My father nodded before sitting down next to Lily, talking quietly to her. Sage and I still stood, as if the lights would turn on soon and we could resume as we were.

"Is Shaterria at the castle?" I asked, wondering whether the King would be fine.

"Yes, I made sure someone was with him while I left. However, she was to deliver messages when I got back and I was to watch over the King," he explained, looking off into the distance.

Sage was the type that did not like when things did not go as planned. I suppose I was too, and perhaps that's why I understood his frustration so well.

"All will be fine. Whoever was to receive the messages will understand that the storm was too bad. The King will be fine in Shaterria's hands. Do not worry too much," I said, catching his eyes after my words.

They softened, his shoulders lowering just a fraction before he sighed, running a hand through his hair and tensing once again.

"Why are you not in uniform?" I asked, studying him. It was always odd to see all of him and not just bits and pieces.

"I try to avoid it while I can. I have been told that I make people nervous when I am wearing it," he explained, a grin forming on my face.

I laughed softly at his words, startling him. "I am sure you make people nervous even when you are not. It's not the uniform, Sage. It is you."

He did not get mad or offended at my words, but instead, the ghost of a smile formed. Even his eyes seemed to light up in the dark, for a moment forgetting his worries.

We all talked lightly, waiting for the storm to calm. Even my little one joined, eventually curling up beside me and falling asleep. However, by the time the moon rose for his performance, the thunder still boomed and the lightning still flashed in vicious attacks.

My father spoke first, "I suppose it will continue all night. Rowan, you and Lily can take the two bedrooms. Sage and I-"

I shook my head, cutting him off. "Papa, do not think about it. Your back will only get worse if you sleep on the floor. You and Lily can have the rooms. I will sleep on the couch. I do not mind," I said firmly, daring him to object. Luckily, Sage spoke.

"I will sleep in here with her. I will not let harm come to her. And if she is not comfortable, I will tell you," he promised, comforting my father with his words.

My father objected weakly, but in the end, he slept in his room while Lily slept in the guest room. A layer of blankets were on the floor for Sage, while I had my own on the couch.

"Do you need the candle anymore?" Sage asked, standing beside it, his body illuminated by the flame.

I was not sure he could see me but I shook my head, then given an answer when he leaned down and blew out the candle before settling on the floor.

It was quiet, the storm brewing in the background. "It is just like the forest," I said quietly, remembering the nights we spent together in the tent outside.

"I think you perhaps are in a better position than you were in the forest. I am the one on the floor," he replied, his voice surprising me. It was light and teasing, something I did not expect from him.

"Oh?" I said, a smile in my voice. "Do not think you are playing the heroic knight who saves the damsel in distress. We both are. I chose the couch instead of a bed and you chose the floor."

He laughed, the sound soft. "Yes, but you are not on a hard surface."

I huffed, silent for a moment before an idea clicked in my head. I took my blankets, moving from my spot on the couch and finding the floor, a spot next to Sage.

"What do you think you are doing?" he asked, the humor gone from his voice.

I settled down, laying with my head turned away from his. "We are equal now, so hush. Now we are both heroic knights."

"Your father-"

"He will be fine. Hush," I started, smiling briefly when I felt pressure against my back, something wet pressing against my arm.

"See, even Todd is fine with our arrangements," I added, feeling him curl up pressed against my back.

"Goodnight, Sage," I said, closing my eyes and falling into a familiar rhythm.

It was not long before I heard him reply, "Goodnight, Rowan."