We journeyed the next day to a small town and the people there welcomed us with open arms. I was highly sure it was due to Lucas's status as the High Priest, but whatever. Seth and I shared a room. Ry, Lucas, and Auri in another. Auri protested at first, but Lucas told her that we needed time alone.
"If you two touch her-" Seth growled.
"I would never!" Ry snapped hard.
"Same, that would be unorthodox!" Lucas blanched.
Seth and I went to our room and Seth pushed me down into a chair. He wets a cloth with his gifts and I stared at him in question. His eyes were still glowing gold. Seth placed his hand under my chin and rubbed the rag over my cheek.
"How did you get dirt on your face?" Seth asked quietly. He began to wash my face.
"Skill!" I replied.
"Don't move or I might poke your eye out your Highness."
I sat still. Seth pulled back after some time and sat up. He had his window open and summoned hygiene products. Seth picked up the shampoo and lathered his hands and moved behind me. Seth began to wash my hair using his gifts to wet my hair in the process and drying up any water that dripped down into miss when it hit the air. I closed my eyes and I could hear Seth's steady heartbeat with my heightened hearing thanks to Avalorne. He was relaxed and calm.
Earlier today he had one of his anxiety spells which was rare and when they do hit him, it completely overwhelms his whole body. Seth's anxiety is very complex and it usually hits out of nowhere. I do notice it when he has spells, it's when he has expectations and two variables don't add up to him in his head. Such as being my personal guard and having me be Auriana's father figure. He loves keeping his personal life out of his work life and I admire it but…
I bristled, "Why don't you talk to me more?" I said sharply.
Seth jolts, "Excuse me? What do you mean?"
"You know, your feelings?"
"About?"
I huffed, "Don't play dumb Seth."
Seth was very still. I sat back and I didn't care if I got suds anywhere. I looked at him half upside down. He was looking at me with a neutral look. That pissed me off even more. His emotions and moods are all over sometimes and right now, they are in a box sealed tight. I can't read him right now. This pained me.
"If you're done, I need to rinse your hair, your Highness." Seth folded his arms.
I narrowed my eyes at him and sat up. I turned in my seat and scowled, "you're heartless." I shook my head like a dog and suds flew from my hair. I got up and went to the door, "I'll do it myself." I walked out.
"Your highness!" Seth shouted after me.
I went to Ry and Lucas' room. They let me in with questions written all over their faces.
"Marriage quarrel?" Ry asked.
I poured myself a cup of tea, "We're not married, nor in that kind of relationship." I looked at him crossly.
"You two are practically glued to one another." Ry blew out smoke from his mouth with his gifts and it formed into a heart. My eyebrow twitched.
"He has to be, he's my guard." I said flatly. Wow… I sound like Seth.
"Or something else." Ry muttered.
"Shut up Ryan!" Auri yelled, "I'm with them a lot. They're just friends and work buddies. Don't tarnish that."
We looked at her surprised. Did she just yell at Ry?
"Sorry, sorry!" Ry said quickly, "Forgot she's here."
I heard glass break and I got up quickly. I looked at the others and we went to the door. "Stay here." I told the others.
I ran to my room and opened the door. My heart dropped. Seth was impaled by a bolt of light. He was bent a bit toward the assailant. The hooded figure disappeared and Seth crumpled over. The bolt of light disappeared from Seth and I ran over to him and touched his face.
"Noo. No. NO no no! Ryan!" I yelled, "Seth, wake up!" I pulled him up and Seth's breathing shook.
"I'm fine." He croaked. "Ow… You're crushing my ribs."
Ryan came in and shoved Auri and Lucas out as he saw Seth on the floor. He shuts the door.
"Move him to the bed." Ry said.
I picked up Seth with Ry's help and we moved him to the bed. Seth was limp. I gently placed him down and Ry boots me out of the way.
"Who did this?" Ry asked me as he examined Seth.
"I dunno! They were obscured by shadows." I craned my neck and narrowed my eyes. "Can you… just heal him?!" I slapped his face.
"I am! Give me room and get out of here! Keep them out while I work on him too." Ry pushed me away with his other hand.
I exited the room shaking. Lucas and Auri were staring at me. I knelt down and hugged Auri. Why, just why. Solaria is becoming a very dangerous place for Seth and I just want to send him back to Volaria.