Chapter 174 - 175
A growing sense of nervousness muddled his mind as he and Lessa continued on toward the western exit of town, which they reached a short while later. This didn’t last, for the moment they left the gentle lights of the city at their backs and began to make their way down the long, dark road that led to Caedmon’s estate, Alistar recalled the life-and-death battle that had been forced on him just a short while ago and sobered slightly. Expanding his magical awareness and beginning to cast casual though perceptive glances at his surroundings, he reprimanded himself for letting his guard down, especially in the presence of someone so important to him.
"Is something wrong, Alie?"
"Just keeping an eye out, is all."
He reached out and grabbed her hand with subconscious surety, wanting to guarantee that he could pull her out of harm’s way in the event that such an action became necessary. It was only a few moments afterwards that he realized how the move might have come off to her, which caused a blush to return to his face. Not only had she not pulled back, but her mood seemed to have improved.
This feeling, he thought, focusing on the pleasant sensations of affection that currently defined him. I’m sure she feels it, too.
Leading her along, he was reminded of all the times that a teary-eyed Kaila had forced him to hold her hand as he’d led her through either the darkness of Crystellum’s abandoned tunnels or through its lower, forbidden levels. As they reached the section of the road where the large oak trees began to line its sides, he wondered if he would feel a similar pleasantness if he were to hold Kaila’s hand now that he was nearing manhood. Too many emotions arose from the thought, so he pushed them from his mind and continued to enjoy the quiet, midnight stroll, warmed by his swordsman’s aura and the lingering effects of the Lawson’s ale.
Sure enough, only a few house servants were still awake by the time they arrived at the estate. This didn’t spare him from the teasing, allusive comments that Harold and Rayson threw his way when he and Lessa walked through the estate’s eastern gates, the two currently working the nighttime posts as per the rotation that Caedmon had set for the six private guards that were currently under employ at his home.
"You were right," said Lessa as they drew up to the manor house’s main entrance. "I don’t sense many people up and about."
"Thankfully," he sighed. "Else we’d probably hear more of what those two were saying."
Alistar led the way to the nearest staircase that connected the first and second floors, though Lessa didn’t follow him up the first few steps.
"What is it?"