Cyan P.O.V.

Lore has us drive or take the train for our assignments; they're harder to track. So the first and only time I rode a first class airship was when Lore adopted me and brought me to Silra from the capital. At the time, I was too terrified to leave my room, suspecting the church would send someone after us to kill me. Lore spent most of his time coddling me, which admittedly worked. I didn't panic to the point of madness, just extreme exhaustion. He carried me around a lot during those travels, kinda like a saggy sack of luggage.

Seren and I gawk at the lounge area of the airship. We stand within a dome of shimmering glass. Beautiful plants and sparkling water fountains cover the area. Seating arrangements made of plump and ghastly designed cushions sit nestled among the lounge. Already, a few Lords, Ladies, and Lieges sit among the splendor laughing and drinking wine brought to them on silver trays.

Draven tugs the sleeve of my shirt to remind me to follow them. We pass through halls with equally as questionable wallpaper. Nobles have an obsession with flower-esque designs. Personally, I think that's very Grandma-esque.

Without my knowledge, Draven has taken my luggage to put in our rooms. I'm too busy observing the surroundings to remember where our rooms are. Now we're heading to have an early lunch under the sky. The engines kick on beneath our feet. My stomach flip flops as we ascend at the same time servers bring our food.

"This is a meal?" Seren asks. For once, I am on the same page as him. We both scowl at the meager salad they brought out.

"No, this is one part of an eight course meal," Lore explains.

"For lunch? By the time we finish, it'll be dinner time," I say, earning a chuckle from Lore.

"Trust the process and enjoy."

Enjoy, I do, because, even if the portions are small, the taste is huge. Draven gives a few warning looks when my silverware clinks against the plate or I drop food on the plate. However, I'm not alone this time. Seren flinches when he almost drops his wine glass. Draven sighs and lowers his head while Lore eats like we aren't even here.

"Lord Seymour, is that you?" a man calls from nearby when we've been served the final part of the meal. Lore peers over his shoulder at a man who approaches him donning a kind smile, but he keeps a fair distance from us. "It's a pleasure to see you again. Last we met was at the Annual Hunt of Rugby, I believe?"

Lore nods. "Indeed it was, Lord Brand. How are the wife and kids?"

"Good, good. Those three have sprouted like weeds! It was nice seeing you." Lord Brand nods, then scurries back to his seat.

"Is it normal for people to waltz up to you for a brief chat in the middle of a meal?" I ask.

"With me, yes," Lore replies nonchalantly. "As you can see, others choose to dine together. They merely want to greet me to save face and run."

"Isn't it more rude to feign pleasantries?" Seren mumbles under his breath. He stiffens when Lore pats his hand.

"Oh, my sweet Seren, are you upset?" Lore teases. "I would be flattered if you got upset in my stead."

Seren swats Lore's hand away. "Not even in your wildest dreams."

I take a glance at Draven, who shrugs. No doubt he thinks the same; Lore's taking his jokes a bit too far. Seren has been acting strange ever since we talked too. He hasn't questioned me further. In fact, he hasn't talked to anyone until today. Even now, he eats quietly with his head down like he hopes no one will notice him. I thought he might approach me, ask a few more questions, but he hasn't. He's taking time to think, to process; I know the feeling.

After lunch, we take a short tour of the airship. Then Lore announces he bought us tickets to see a play. I've never been to one so I end up fidgeting next to Draven the whole time, even if the show does pique my interest. I'm simply not the greatest and keeping still. A few times, Draven rests his hand on my arm to whisper, "Am I going to have to take you for a walk?"

"Ha-ha," I spit back at him., wishing to do something totally asinine like hold his hand or ask him to put his arm around me. The play's even a damn romance, so when the leads kiss my gaze drifts to Draven. I recall the moment our lips touched and my stomach squirms.

Stop it, Cyan.

Our first day on the airship passes in a flash. Before I realize it, it's late and Draven has escorted us back to our rooms. I watch Lore open the door, grinning madly as a reluctant Seren steps inside. I'm about to follow when Draven taps my shoulder.

"We're in here," he states, pointing at the room next door.

"We?" I hiccup.

"Yes." Draven opens the door. Like Seren, I'm as reluctant to enter, staring at our nice room that would feel spacious if not for Draven entering behind me. Did someone turn up the heat? It's the middle of summer. The air should be on, but I'm sweating buckets over here.

"Why the hell are we sharing a room?" I ask. "His Grace shouldn't be alone with that murderous muttonhead! Especially after he has been acting so weird."

Cursing, I pivot on my heel to face Draven. Although he listens, he doesn't have a hint of care in his eyes while I freak out, "What if Seren tries something? What if he takes this opportunity to hurt His Grace? What if he has some freakish new spell or invention from the church that will kill him?"

My suggestions hang in the air. The longer they do, the more Draven smirks until he outright snorts rather uncharacteristically. He presses the back of his hand to his mouth, muttering, "That's impossible."

"Which part? Seren attacking His Grace or the church inventing a vampire killing machine?"

Draven shrugs. "Both. Regardless, this is what His Grace wanted."

"To bother Seren more?"

"Most likely." Draven approaches his side of the room. His luggage sits on his bed. He opens it to pull out sleepwear.

"Do you also think he's taking it too far?" I ask.

"I trust that he knows what he's doing."

I mock him. Draven rolls eyes, then has the audacity to ask, "Does it bother you that much to share a room with me? If that is the case, I can move down to the servants quarters without bothering His Grace to retrieve the papers. There is more than likely an open room."

"What? No! I didn't say anything like that. I'm fine sleeping with you!"

And I'd like to take this moment to say; I deserve whatever punishments are coming my way for I am an absolute fool. The biggest fool of all fools. There should be an award ceremony where I'm thrown into a bit of mud for this foolishness.

I stare at Draven. He stares at me. The temperature skyrockets, which I'm sure only applies to me. Then the bullshit comes fumbling out of my mouth, "I-I meant that--that I'm fine sleeping i-in a room with you."

Nodding, Draven steps around our beds, never offering me another glance, to disappear in the bathroom. I hear the water turn on. Not good because the water being on means he's showering and showering means he's naked and... oh no.

I throw myself onto the bed, hoping to smother myself with a pillow.

I'm fine sleeping with you? Way to go, jackass! You couldn't be more obvious about shit you aren't even capable of. And now Draven's probably wishing I did ask him to sleep in the servant's quarters. Why would he want to stay here with me? The weirdo who made sexual implications towards someone way out of his league. Fuck!

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Aw, Cyan, we all have a slip of the tongue. It's okay lol Will these two be able to share a room without anything ~happening~?