"Adorable?" chuckled Cyprian. Nobody else ever called him adorable. He was 6'2" and looked a lot like his dad. In school, he was that jock football player who pushed around the younger kids. But, it felt surprisingly good to be called adorable, especially by Jaai. He followed her through the wrecked village like an obedient puppy.
"Yeah. Let's not get caught," he said. "We better make it look like we came willingly."
Cyprian smirked, thinking of his father's reaction if he found out the truth. Alastair's own son was spying on the entire Parliament. Cyprian's loyalty was to a tiny girl who was half his size, but twice his wit. Oh, how Alastair would rage.
Cilan couldn't help but snicker at the squishing noises made by Mallory's paws. He caught up to her when she turned back into her human form, though his feet were getting cold from the disgusting sludge. "You know, I wish Clotilda would send me some shoes. I always come back barefoot," he complained.
"Don't apologize," Gavotte insisted as he held up his hands in surrender. He made a big deal of frowning disappointedly when Jen said it wouldn't happen again. "Aww. What a shame."
He chuckled and went to get the appetizers. Looking at the steak was making him hungry, and his stomach rumbled as he walked. Gavotte had grown up with plenty of food. He wasn't used to going hungry for even a single meal. Of course, it probably wasn't true for his friend, who didn't have such a sheltered life.
He grabbed two pieces of raisin bread. The first piece (with the crust covering one side) was for himself. Gavotte went back to his spot by the fire, and handed the other piece to Jen. "Here you go. Watching the steak is making me so hungry."
Gavotte stared into the flames. Jen was musing about what might happen once the revolution was done. After she was finished, Gavotte turned and met her eyes. Despite their color, her eyes weren't cold. They were like particularly intense flames that were so hot, they burned with blue light.
"Life goes on," Gavotte said, smiling. It was what he and his father lived by. Gavotte's dad just died before his eyes, and he was still remaining calm. "No matter what, life goes on. Who knows? Maybe you will turn out to be the next Queen Solara, and bless this village again."
He turned his head slightly to look out the window. The village, once so beautiful and green thanks to Solara's blessing, was ruined and frozen over.
"You've got the fire."
Cadence was furious at her daughter, but mostly because she was worried. She had carried Guinevere into Gavotte's room, which was the closest one to the stairs. Gwen was finally beginning to wake up. She seemed to be in extreme pain and distress, so Cadence just held on to her.
"You freaked out and attacked everyone. Highly disrespectful. What the disgrace was that about?" she demanded, the rage evident in her voice. Then she calmed down, and cradled Guinevere to her with a sigh.
"Don't you dare do that again. I lost my husband before my eyes, and I thought I was losing my daughter too. I love you. You make me so angry but I love you."