Chapter 38: A greedy soul, a beautiful soul (2)
Zia was in the middle of jumping over a group of popular musicians playing on the central stage when Angwi tapped on her shoulder and signaled her that their free time was over. Even while pouting, she knew that exceeding the time her strict cousin gave her would cost her the entirety of tomorrow.
And it was probably a good thing that she didn’t dawdle, since both her Lord Cousin and his pretty bride were already in the carriage, with the latter bundled up in a blanket, sleeping so deeply inside the Lord’s embrace, being cradled like a baby.
"Oh, did you wait long?" her disappointment of having to go back in the middle of the show vanished when she looked at Val, who seemed to have been sleeping for quite some time. Along with the slight guilt was fear, as she looked at the Lord’s face keenly.
Thankfully, Natha didn’t seem to be angry. He was busy watching the sleeping face and patted the human’s arm with a soft gaze that Zia would never be able to see if Val wasn’t there.
"It’s fine since Angwi gets you in time," he spoke flatly. How he could speak like that while bearing that smitten face was beyond her.
Zia leaned back on the headrest as the carriage started to move and asked carefully. "Did something happen?"
Val looked like he was sleeping peacefully, but she could see the slight tinge of red below his eyes, and the way his hands curled into a fist. There was also the way Natha wrapped his arms around the human in such a protective way.
"He’s exhausted," Natha answered with a smile, finger stroking the fair cheek gently.
"Because of the festival?"
"Among other things," he turned his gaze toward Zia, who instantly straightened her posture. "I have to put some fire tonight, probably tomorrow too, so you have to take care of him."
Zia raised her brow, very much wanting to ask what fire her cousin meant, but knew better than to ask. "I thought you want to use the event to have a date with him, but now you’re leaving?"