Last night Garroth and I went to visit the preacher, probably not at the best hour, but are officially husband and wife. We were currently on the road for Shadespire. We had been on the road for almost a whole day, so most of us were asleep in the wagon we had taken with us. I was currently laying awake, Garroth's head in my lap, my fingers gently ruffling through his hair. I was nearly half awake, so my movements were lazy, but I needed this physicality right now. I've been praying to Irene that this alliance goes as we all hope it goes, we need this to work. Aphmau has worked too hard for this to fall through. We need the numbers. They are close enough that if this goes wrong, they can find us and get revenge. Images of bloodshed flash through my head, and I pull a little too hard at Garroth's hair. "Hey, you okay?" He flips over to where he's staring straight up at me.
"Yeah, just thinking."
"Anna, you pulled my hair a little hard to be 'just thinking'-" he sits up and looks at me. "-what's going on."
"I don't know Garroth. I can't help but worry about this new Lord. It seems like he came out of nowhere. I never heard of him existing, let alone this close to home? Something just doesn't seem right about this whole situation." I shake my head and run my hands over my face, attempting to wipe away the bags under my eyes.
"You've been awake the whole trip, why don't you get some rest and I'll take a turn keeping watch, ok?" I sighed as he pulled me into his lap and starting playing with my hair, the other hand drawing circles up and down my arm. Chills ran through my body as I slowly melted into a relaxed state.

——

Before I knew it, we were in a whole new area. "Garrroth, where are we?"
"We're in the Kantoh region, Shadespire is close." How long had I been out?
"What time of day is it?"
"I would guess noon-ish. So good afternoon sunshine, I hope you rested up." I sat up and Garroth pulled my back close to him as he braided my hair. "You'll want your hair up for this next part." I turn around in shock as he ties it. "Not like that sweetheart, but it can be arranged..." he smiles at me and laughs. I moved across from Garroth. The way we traveled was Katelyn and a male guard, Aphmau's carriage, and then Garroth and I in the back. We had a whole carriage to ourselves, but we couldn't let ourselves become distracted...right?
"Garroth?"
"Yes baby?"
"Why are you looking at me that way?"
"Because, being Anna Ro'Meave looks really good on you."
"We can't...we need to watch Aphmau." Garroth slowly moves over to me and moves me onto his lap. His lips trail their way from my collarbone up to my jaw. "Gar- we have to- uh"
"What do we have to do? Use your words Anna." I can't lie, his hands felt amazing and his mouth made goosebumps rise on my skin. "Darling, what do we have to do?"
"Katelyn can handle it, kiss me." He didn't give me a chance to say anything else, his lips crashed onto mine, so smooth and yet so gentle.
"You're so beautiful, do you know that?"
"Stop talking." Garroth's hands ran up my side, caressing every inch on my body. I reached behind me and closed the window connecting us and the driver. Garroth flipped us over to where he was above me. He started my corset strings, quickly throwing it to the side, my undershirt following it. I pulled at the hem of his shirt as he kissed down my chest. I pulled it over his head and ran my hands down to his belt. I needed him as bad as he needed me right now. His belt came undone and he quickly undid the bottom of my uniform and-
"We're here." Garroth hangs his head in defeat as the coach announces our arrival.
"Sorry baby, maybe next time." I laugh and get dressed and Garroth puts his armor back on.
"Just be quiet." He exits the coach and I snicker at him, following him closely behind.
"Alright guys, welcome to Shadespire." Aphmau stands in the middle of all 4 of us, "Let's do this guys."
We all start to approach to front gates and there's a man with brunette hair standing at the entrance. He stands tall in his wardrobe of gold and brown. Aphmau heads straight to him and announces herself. "I am Lady Aphmau of Pheonix Drop and I am looking for Lord-"
"Merek? That's me Lady Aphmau. Welcome to my village. Come on in, let's get you guys settled in." We follow him through the town and looking around, this town is richer than we immediately believed. They have iron makers, weapon makers and shops on every corner. They have armories full of shiny pieces, handmade with little details. Everything here was beautifully crafted, from the buildings to the floral details in the roads below our feet. Just when I thought it couldn't get better Garroth nudged me and my eyes met the castle.
Yes...a castle.
"Welcome to my home, allow me to introduce my staff." Merck led us through the gates and front doors into a grand room. It had spiraling stairs on either side and a chandelier in the middle. In the middle of the room stood 6 people. 5 men and a woman.
The first man stepped forward, dark hair and soft features, shy behavior. "This is Faris and he will assist Aphmau with any needs she may require."
The second man stepped forward, gray hair, a little older. His name was Han and he was going to assist our male guard.
The third one stepped forward with confidence. He had strong features and loose pieces of brown hair around his face. "This is Loren and he will assist you Anna." Garroth squeezed my arm as I snapped out of it.
"Okay." I mustered out a single word.
The fourth man was a blonde, young and meek. Garroth's assistant. The fifth was Katelyn's and by the looks of it she was gonna eat him alive if he made one wrong move.
Lastly the woman stepped forward. "The names Affie. Short for Aphrodite." She was gorgeous. Long, silky brown hair and the brightest green eyes. She had a small scar on her cheek and some other small discoloration on her face. She had a strong but small stature. She wore a knights attire without the armor. "I'm Merek's sister. I'm here to protect all of you against any misconduct that may occur if the event arises." She carried herself with such dignity and sophistication. I caught Garroth staring and immediately felt inferior. "It's wonderful to meet you all. If you need anything don't be afraid to ask. I'm sure it'll be much more comfortable talking to a fellow female than these men." Her held titled to the servants and abruptly left.
"Sorry about her. She's the head of my forces and is often quite brash." Merek became pale and rubbed the back of her neck. "Even though she's my little sister, she scares me sometimes." He let out a small laugh and regained his Lordly composure. "Allow your staff to escort you to your rooms."

I need to know more about Affie.