When they had met up again after her ‘lunch’ with Reginald, Nyx had brought his blazing yellow eyes to her, he had read her state and by the look that flashed through his eyes for a moment she knew what the conclusion he had come to was. That look only lasted a moment though, the next it flashed to confusion and then concern. Now there was only concern in his eyes, his movements, his words.

The Wharf Witch was doing something she really shouldn’t. The past hour with Reginald had been trying on her to say the least, but allowing herself to nearly collapse in some public alley, to lean against a wall and close her eyes, closing off most of her senses to the world was dangerous. They were not far enough away from the Trade Bureau to really be safe. She did not think that Lemoyne would be screaming to the rooftops, she had left him in a rather embarrassing state, especially for a married man, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t send someone to find her.

Despite how foolish this was she still felt safe. She could hear the gentle shuffle of Nyx’s feet, heard his breathing above her, and even though her own eyes were closed she knew that his were watching the entrances to the alley for her. The feeling was strange, to trust someone, and an elf at that.

But you do… otherwise you wouldn’t be sitting here still…

“Come, let us find a more out of the way place to discuss it, yes? Perhaps get you something to eat and a place to rest...”

Slowly she nodded her head, to Nyx and to the internal voice that rang through her head.

“I’m okay Nyx… really…” she sighed as she opened her eyes and looked up to find him doing just what she had thought he was, watching over her. “Just needed a moment to gather myself together again. But maybe some food... I didn’t exactly get that lunch.” A hallow laugh that did not result in a smile followed that.

“We should get out of this district at any rate.” Slowly she began to walk her way back up the wall, and found his hand held out for her again. With a sigh she placed her fingers into his palm and used his support to get onto her feet again. His white fingers curled around hers, his knuckles were still purple, swollen and scratched.

He’s risked so much and is still willing to risk more…

With her hand still tucked into his she brought her eyes up only to find his looking down at her. They shined at her like lighthouses through the shadows of the alley.

Why you?

Out of every rotten soul in this city why is it you who finally sees me?

An elf, a mith’ganni elf at that! Why?

By the stars why!?

The current brought her closer to shore, the stars by which the boats navigated spun around her making her dizzy as the lighthouses seemed to guide her through the darkness that had only a moment ago consisted of a volatile world. Even as the fingers of his other hand moved to her cheek, caressing her like the wind itself she kept drifting closer. The lights disappeared behind her eyelids and yet she still knew where they were. Close now… her lips parted slightly and she breathed him in… so close.

So elven…

Their lips touched for a second, not like before. His skin whispered over hers, sweet and tempting. With it though reality crashed back in. With a gasp she turned her head and left his lips to press into her cheek. Almost in exasperation she felt his fingers press against her neck when his lips landed on the soft plain of her cheek instead of the perfect range of her lips.

“We should be going… it isn’t safe here.” She whispered and slowly uncoiled her fingers from his and stepped away from him. Fingers trailed along her shoulder as she did. The expression on the mith’ganni’s face was left to her imagination for she did not allow her eyes to move his direction after she stepped away.

Without another word she curled the blue pillow against her belly and stepped back out onto the street. Behind her she sensed him, his eyes moving over her now and then as he kept a careful eye on the crowd around them.

Coward.

He isn’t what I want.

That’s not what it seemed like a moment ago.

I’m not what he wants. I’m not. He might think I am, especially dolled up in this dress. Which is why I don’t dress like this usually. Men treat me like Reg did… they don’t see me. They see a pretty object. I’ve used that before to get what I need or what… but it always comes with a price. Often a high price, a painful price. It gets worse if they notice my ears. Human’s find it so much easier to degrade me when they find out… they’ve done things, made me do things… and Elves? They despise humans, as Nyx does. It repulses them as much as it excites a human. He could never love me. I’ve seen how he feels about humans. He doesn’t see me… he sees what he wants to. He’s no different.

Would he do what Reg tried to do?

No… he wouldn’t. He’s protected me.

Why?

She left that unanswered as she moved through the streets with her elven shadow. Confused and yet somehow still comforted by its proximity to her. They left the Imperial Quarters, wandering back closer to the docks, getting lost in the narrower streets.

Going to the cemetery was not going to be useful, there was not any food there, and besides each time they went in and out of there the chance that the tomb would be discovered as his home would increase. Her own home was also not an option. Mouse would no doubt still be haunting it, desperate to get her under his control after she lost him the previous night. Going into Dmitrova’s territory would also be dangerous. Too many eyes and ears roving the streets there. The wharf was perhaps the safest place.

It was a small seedy looking tavern that she finally dipped into, not even hesitating to make a motion to him to follow or making sure he saw her go inside. She knew he saw her and knew he would follow. In the dark folds of smoke and whiskey fumes she made her way to a table near the back of the main room. The tables along the wall were booths and she slipped into one of the benches.

As soon as Nyx joined her she lowered her eyes to the tabletop. “So then… what did you find?” she said quickly, trying to ensure that he stayed on a topic she was comfortable with.