Chapter 14
"You are NOT going into the village!"
Sorcha glared at Imperius who was perplexed at her sudden change in demeanor.
It was dusk with the light rapidly fading as night threatened to swallow up the sky. They stood on the outskirts of a bustling town with high wooden defensive walls and eager citizens flitting from one place to the next.
Sorcha had been relatively peaceful on the journey there before her mood rapidly swung in the opposite direction when Imperius informed her that he intended on entering the village with her.
"Is there something about Nephelem that I should know? You have very sudden changes of mood."
"This is not about me!" Sorcha hissed at him. "You're going nowhere near that village in your current state!"
"My state?"
"It may have escaped your notice but the majority of the population isn't exactly going to be nice and calm when... " Sorcha flailed her hands around in a wild gesture directed at Imperius's angelic form, "... you walk into town. My gods!"
Imperius snorted. "They will have the honor of viewing one of their betters."
"Don't start. Just stay here. I won't be long."
Sorcha had just turned her back on the archangel when she heard a strange noise. When she spun back to look, Sorcha almost squeaked in surprise.
Imperius had reformed himself into a more appropriate shape.
He still had his broad frame and the impressive height, only now Imperius looked so very human.
The scarred and handsome face Sorcha had viewed once stared back at her grimly as Imperius held his helm in one hand.
"Ahem... you may need different clothes."
"My armor will be sufficient."
"No. No it won't."
After coaxing a merchant who was on the road to the same village to let her buy some of his wares, Sorcha had handed over the bundle of clothes that would just about fit Imperius.
She reached down to pick up his helm that was discarded on the ground and then gather the rest of his things when they suddenly vaporized into thin air.
Sorcha glanced up worriedly at Imperius who responded dully, "I have sent them to my private rooms."
"Ah," she said in turn while she took the opportunity to really look him over.
He had vaguely white-blonde hair cropped tightly to his head with the same broken nose and matching scars she had seen previously.
His build was muscular but Sorcha had a rough idea of that from the armor he wore.
His body was very clearly shown off by the clothes she had bought.
They were a little too snug she mused with her gaze drifting lower before shooting back up with her pale cheeks tinted a bright red.
"Are you well?" Imperius queried as soon as he spotted it.
"Fine," she gulped. "Maybe let that shirt stay untucked."
"These Nephelem rags chaff my skin. Are there none better?"
Sorcha smiled. "You could just stay here."
"No."
He stood out like a sore thumb.
Imperius eyed everyone he passed by with open hostility while Sorcha attempted to offset it by being as friendly and gregarious as possible.
A short distance into the town proper and Sorcha spotted the inn.
"Right. Food, drink and a nice bed for the night," she sighed.
"I thought we were leaving immediately."
She rolled her eyes. "That was my original plan but, since I just spent time and money on getting you presentable, I feel it's time for the plan to change."
Imperius glared at her. "It was unnecessary."
"What was?"
"This charade."
Sorcha bit back her anger. "Just... get inside," she snapped before stepping ahead of him and opening the heavy wooden doors.
"Hello there! How can I help ya?" the bartender greeted warmly as Sorcha stepped up to the counter.
The main room was heavy with smoke, soot and the laughing of revelers.
"We need beds for the night," Sorcha shouted over the noise. She took a handful of coins and let them clink out onto the counter-top. "Dinner and some wine would be appreciated too."
The bartender counted up the coins before tossing them into a small draw-bag.
"Only one room left, I'm 'fraid! Busy night. The room has a bed big enough for both of ye... or at least you anyways. He's a big lad, your fella."
Sorcha burst out laughing. "He ain't mine!"
"Heh. Whatev'r you say, 'luv. Now, take a seat and I'll get ya some grub."
The food was good and the drink better - not that she had much of a stomach for it.
Sorcha watched Imperius idly poke at the dish on the table in front of him while she sipped the last of her wine.
"You should eat some of it."
He snorted. "I don't require sustenance at this time."
"It's called being polite. I bought you dinner. At least try the thing."
Imperius pushed the plate away with one finger before he viewed the crowd of people celebrating one thing or another.
"This place... I would not have thought it suitable for demons to live in, let alone anyone else."
"It's not so bad," Sorcha chuckled before she swallowed the last of her wine. "That's really done me in," she yawned. "I need sleep."
She got to her feet a little unsteadily before making her way through the crowd to the rooms on the far side of the bar.
Sorcha couldn't help but smirk as behind her came a rush of complaints and muted curses as Imperius followed her with no heed to anyone he moved out of the way to reach her.
Sorcha locked the door after Imperius stepped in, promptly threw off most of her clothing before she then stretched out leisurely on the bed.
"Do you guys even sleep?" she rumbled softly while her eyelids fluttered shut.
"We require certain amounts of rest."
"Excellent. Then get in."
Imperius eyed her suspiciously. "I do not require it presently."
"Well I do and I'm not gonna sleep with you hovering around the room like an angry, ridiculously tall ghost! Just lie down."
The archangel frowned. "There is a seat of some kind here. Wooden. I shall utilize that."
Just as he sat on the wretched thing, the old frame snapped and he fell straight through.
Sorcha didn't open her eyes at the heavy thud and noise of shattering wood.
"Leave it," she murmured. "I'll pay for it in the morning."
Imperius sheepishly got back to his feet. He was lost for words when a soft and small hand grabbed his own.
Sorcha stared up at him through half open eyelids and gently pulled him over to the bed. He sank down and sat – feeling the timber frame creak under his weight.
She persuaded him to stretch fully out until he lay parallel to her.
Once he had, Sorcha passed out.
Imperius stared at his hand that Sorcha had trapped in her own. His attempts at freeing it only caused the nephelem to squirm and nearly awaken so he let her retain her hold on it.
What was he doing, he thought to himself while Sorcha rolled over and pressed her smaller body against him.