Chapter Four: Choices to Make

"Well Miss Flashblade, as promised, you are safely delivered to Port Slater," he said with a polite bow while gesturing towards the dock to step onto.

I hesistated as I looked at him. Once I stepped off of the ship I knew it would be all but over. Yet at the same time I was eager to find my brothers wasn't I?

"What happens if my brothers don't come here?" I heard myself ask.

"This is a popular port, they are bound to come by here at some point," he assured me, "An' the gold I gave ya should keep ya well cared for a good while."

"If it's so popular then why risk coming here?" I questioned with a bit of concern tugging at me.

Duke only gave a confident smirk before offering a hand to me that I had little choice but to take. He then began escorting me into the harbor town. As he did we noticed the rest of the crew hanging back a bit to now say their goodbyes to me. A few seemed reluctant, even a bit bewildered by my steady decision. While Trent and Marestella especially simply shook their heads at my resolve it seemed. None the less I gave them my warmest regards and dearest prayers before parting ways. Then Duke took me by the hand again and lead me awat.

Before long we were passing by several shops and houses. It was a quaint in style, but busy in nature sort of town. Shoppers rushed by in a busy bustle. As one nearly bumped into me I felt Duke swiftly pull me against him instead.

"I'm sure you're hungry?" Duke then suggested while tossing a gold coin to a baker and swiping up a pastry and an apple.

He slipped both into my hands before taking up his own to bite into. With a flight of stairs to sort of sit at we did just that while eating our breakfast. As we did we were able to look out from the top of those high hilled steps at the majority of the town before us. Several orange baked clay rooves decorated the scenery beneath a radiant yellow sky. The sheer white sun above bleached the sand dusted streets of what seemed to be stonelike. Upon resting a hand on it while we sat on the top step I could feel the warmth radiating from it. While Duke stood close by leaning against the wall of one of the shops watching the busy market with me.

"I sometimes forget how nice it is to visit a town like this. It's so busy they don't take the time to notice me, but not so crowded as cities on more built up worlds," Duke mentioned before taking another bite.

"What made you decide to leave Puck World then?" I asked.

"A few things really," he sighed after swallowing that bite.

"I'd like to hear them, if it's okay?"

He gave a nostalgic smile before giving in, "I grew up on stories of adventurers that were able to break the boundaries the realms put in place. When I was a kid I jus' wanted to be like that. I wanted to carve my name into the stars like other explorers. However I also had a bit of a wild side that I couldn't ever get to settle."

"Is that so?" I lightly teased.

With a smirk he continued, "I enjoyed the adrenaline I got when I swiped some jewels from an unexpectin' aristocrat. Not a soul could catch me. Then I decided I wanted to take those challenges to a grander scale. Those stories I was raised on called to me an' I decided it was time to move on from home. Eventually I was picked up as a young sailor an' quickly learned the ropes."

"From an honest sailor to pirate?" I asked in a careful hush of a voice as he sat beside me now.

"Mostly honest. As I said I was already quite skilled at sleight of hand at home," he smirked while slipping a lock pick seemingly from my hair and then tucking it into his flared sleeve.

Then he briefly hesistated before looking to me and saying softly, "There is one thing I always sorta proud of before I left though...a choice I made one night."

"What's that?"

Duke:

My boots barely made prints in the snow as I hurried through the darkened streets of the main city on Puck World. Thick white flakes piled onto the roads and sidewalks. Overhead and over the highest rooves of skyscrapers were heavy clouds. In the distance the rare streaks of lightening illuminated the night sky.

None the less I had to press on. The ship would be leaving soon and I couldn't miss this chance. So while tightening my grip on my pack I continued on towards the docks.

Then suddenly I was forced to come to a halt as a burst of light rushed down from the skies and struck the ground just ahead of me. I barely had enough time to shield my eyes from the blinding flash.

As quickly as it had hit the light faded into the ether it seemed. When I was certain my sight would be spared I looked ahead of myself only to feel my jaw drop, "What in the world?!"

Before me, lying still on the ground, was a young girl. She had no feathers, nor a beak. Her skin was quite pale and chilled from the snow that was her bed. I couldn't tell whether she had been there before or if the storm had brought her there. As I hurried over to her I found she was barely conscious as she did this, her eyes opened just slightly while looking to nothing it seemed.

"You're just a kid..." I realized as I brushed a hand carefully over her mouth to feel short rapid breaths slipping from her.

She was just that, a child no more than 8, maybe 9, years old. Her frame was quite frail and small as she lie there semi curled up. As I carefully pushed her hair out of her barely open eyes I could feel how she trembled. After making sure she wasn't suffering from any external injuries I carefully checked the alighment of her neck, back, and limbs to make sure nothing was broken before moving her. Without another thought I began lifting her up as I pulled a blanket out of my pack and began wrapped it around her. Finally I swept her up into my arms and tried to figure out what to do.

"Hang in there sweetheart," I whispered as I then felt her head lean into my chest as she slipped from consciouness, "Don't ya give up okay?"

My thoughts raced for an answer as I looked around the otherwise quiet streets. The storm raged on quietly in a way before at last going to sleep as I hurried along with her in my arms now.

"I can't take ya with me...but I can't leave ya alone either," I pondered while pausing just ahead of the harbor.

That's when I noticed a warmly lit home on the edge of the small town near the docks. Even from where I stood I could hear a bit of lively laughter eminating from within it's walls. This admittedly drew me towards it as the girl clung to me in her unaware state.

"They can probably help ya a lot more than a thief ever could..." I admitted more to myself than to her in a whisper of a voice as I stepped up to the front door.

With that I carefully placed her at their doorstep, keeping the blanket wrapped around her tightly as I did this. Then I gave a hearty knock, pausing to only to listen until I at last heard footsteps drawing near from the other side. I quickly slipped along the side of the house to get out of sight just as the door opened and a young drake opened the door and exclaimed, "Mom! Mom, someone's hurt!"

In moments their parents were at the door. From there they hurried the girl inside as I heard them trying to figure out what to do.

I was reluctant to leave at this point, but if I didn't hurry now I would miss my chance. So I slowly crept back around until I found a window to look into while unseen. I was able to take advantage of their pulled away attention as I looked inside to see them tending to the girl. Two young drakes, one a bit older and the other about her age, hurried in and out with blankets and other things to help.

Then after a little bit longer I watched as the girl lying on the bed jolted with a sudden gasp as her eyes flew open. From the window I couldn't see their color, nor how weary they surely were. None the less I felt something in my chest ease it's pounding as they continued to help the now awakened girl. The two boys rushed over to the bed and began eagerly asking questions she could barely answer. Meanwhile the mother gave a soft laugh as she watched them, "She still needs to rest boys. Though it seems she's through the worst of it now."

"Is she going to be our sister?!" The younger blonde one exclaimed with delight.

"Well, I don't know about that...but we won't let anything happen to her either, don't you worry Nosedive, you either Wildwing."

Upon hearing this I couldn't help but give a smile as I whispered into the night, "You'll be alright now sweetheart, an' I can rest easy knowin' that."

With that I slipped into the streets and found my way to the ship. Only giving a brief pause to look back at the house still lit up in the sleeping town I then snuck aboard and began my career as a sailor and then pirate. Every so often I would wonder about that night and the girl I'd found in the snow.

"Now I don't have to wonder so much, I know now how right my choice was," I smiled as she looked up at me with widened sapphire eyes.

"You brought me to Wildwing and Nosedive?"

I nodded while admitting, "I've known it was you since ya said you grew up on Puck World."

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked in slight shock.

With a bit of a chuckle in my throat I replied, "I jus' did Miss Flashblade."

"I mean before now?" she retorted in lingering disbelief.

"I guess I should have," I admitted with a bitter taste twisting my smile, "Then again maybe I didn't want ya to know that your rescuer was nothin' but a thief..."

To my genuine shock she replied softly, "I...I'm lucky you were a thief that night Duke."

When I looked to her with a widened eye and my beak slightly agape she bit her lower lip with a nervous slight blush on her face. It was then that we both realized she had dropped formalities to say this. With a shaking tone she pushed through and said, "If you hadn't been...I might not be here at all. You found me...kept me warm...and brought me home."

As this truth settled with her I heard her take a deep breath as tears stung those eyes of hers. Then she smiled with her trembling lips barely able to whisper, "Thank you..."

Unable to bare this sight I quickly slipped my hand into my inner coat pocket and produced a handkerchief I then offered to her, "Please don't cry Heart...I really can't take seein' a lady like this."

She took the soft thin cloth and brushed it along her eyes. When she went to hand it back to me I shook my head and pushed it into her palm a bit, "Please keep it. If ya need to gather your strength a bit while ya search for your brothers, I'd rather you had that to draw some comfort from."

"Thank you again captain..."

Noticing the slight reluctant shift in her tone I gave a sigh and replied, "Of course Miss Flashblade."

Noticing the slight reluctant shift in her tone I gave a sigh and replied, "Of course Miss Flashblade."

Then I got to my feet and offered her a hand to do the same. With that we continued our walk through the sun warmed town until we found our destination.

Heart:

We found that we'd stopped just outside a well traveled inn. It's roof matched the others in shade and style with downward rounded shingles. The walls were an off white from the sun beaming down on one side while up and then the other when it set.

It was now that Duke gave another slight bow as he proclaimed with a bit of flare while gesturing towards the front doors of the establishment , "An' here ya are Miss Flashblade. You'll be safe an' provided for here."

"Wait, this is it?" I asked him a bit startled.

"Sadly," he admitted while adjusting his stance a bit.

"Can't I stay with all of you until you leave?" I questioned.

Duke shook his head, "No Miss Flashblade. After what nearly happened last night..." he trailed off as he caressed my cheek gently, as though making sure I wasn't catching another fever, "If you had died 'cause of me I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. If we part ways she will have no reason to come after ya."

"Captain I-"

"I'll miss your company Miss Flashblade," he insisted while taking me by the hand for a moment, "I assure ya that you will not be like other girls to me."

Not knowing what else to do all I could think to say to him was, "Captain, pirate or not, you have a noble heart."

Was he blushing beneath his feathers? I could only guess as he then without warning gave a charming smile as he leaned forward and swiftly brushed my cheek with a kiss, "Don't forget me love."

Before I could react he stepped away again, smiling as he saw me blushing again for certain. Then he quickly turned the corner to step into the busy street. As I went to follow him I found he was gone among the crowd. No matter where I looked I couldn't find where he had wandered. Somehow knowing this my heart sank just as quickly as it had jumped up at his words. Then I shook my head, reminding myself that this had been the agreement all along. From here on out I needed to focus on finding my brothers and our original crew. Yet as I turned towards the inn I found I was still trying to catch a glimpse of him, knowing full well I could never decline his request.

The rest of the day went on rather quietly afterwards. I explained to the inn keeper my situation. He was a bit surprised by my tale, but quickly obliged when I asked for a room. Though I had left out that my rescuers had been of the pirating sort. With that I paid for the first few nights and went about offering to help with tasks to stay busy.

After a few hours I caught myself looking out a window with my chin resting in my hand as I let out a restless sigh, "They would probably stay the night at least."

The earliest signs of dusk had fallen upon the space port. This port was the size of a small planet or large moon. It's atmosphere carried shades of lavender as the sun set rather as it transitioned from it's soft yellow to a forest green instead of midnight hues like on Puck World.

After eating my dinner I decided to turn in for the evening. Upon finding my room I tossed my pack onto the bed before flinging myself backwards onto the springy mattress myself. Then while gazing up at the ceiling I tried to figure out why I was still so restless.

As I wandered over to the window I knew I had the answer, but none the less I went to look out over the streets below the 2nd floor of the inn. Lights to bars and other shops were well lit to alert late shoppers. Across the way I could hear the signs of a brawl taking place. I hoped he wasn't involved. I hoped none of them were involved the more I thought about it.

Then I half heartedly shook my head, "He's probably dancing."

I then looked out towards the harbor to see the ships preparing to rest for the night. Only one looked familiar with it's deep burgundy shades blending into the darkness around it. How long would I be here waiting? What would I do if the gold he'd given me ran out? I figured there were odd jobs I could take, or perhaps offer to help out around the inn for the room and meals in the meantime.

Again I looked upon the streets and shook my head with a restless sigh escaping my throat.

Then as I went to close the window and turn in for the night, something low in voice caught my attention.

Duke:

"Another?" I asked half heartedly while holding my mug out.

"That's not like you captain, wouldn't you rather dance?" Irving encouraged from beside me with a troubled twist over his stitched mouth.

He nudged me playfully while holding a glass out towards a few ladies in the corner. A number of them were of different races, one cat lady, a couple human, a few birds, and other alien beauties. Yet not one of them seemed to catch my interest.

"Not tonight, enjoy yourself Irving," I said to him before adding quickly, "An' try not to get into any fights tonight."

"A good mosh pit is so invigirating captain!" he insisted with a wide grin.

"Until you're set on fire again," I pointed out.

"Clears them out doesn't it?" he laughed a bit.

I then watched as Irving went over to a few friendly brawlers and tossed himsel into the frey.

Briefly I wondered if I should pick a girl to dance with to try and distract myself. As though taking a good guess at these thoughts one of them winked at me. Another blew me a kiss. I shook my head apologetically before stepping out of the bar. From there I headed towards our inn far from the one Heart was staying at. We were entirely on the other side of town in fact to keep our distance from her.

However as I walked, I remembered why it was I rarely drank. As I walked I found my senses dulled and my stride uneasey. While trying to keep my steps steady, I felt a creeping sensation run up along my back. Senses dulled or not I knew what it was before she began.

His hair it hangs in ringlets

His eye as black as coal

My happiness attend him

Whereever he may go

While looking into a nearby window I watched as the brown in my eye faded to that of coal. Around my wrists phantom cuffs were locked in place as I was suddenly pulled along. It were as though I were being walked as a pet tethered to a chain from an unseen owner walking in step behind me.

Taking a quick glance I eyed the wall in the lamplight to find a chain's shadow being held by that of the starmaid's own bodyless shroud. However I could hear her giggling as a hand seemingly brushed my shoulder and along my neck. It continued as though a collar was slipping around my throat.

Just then as I was being forced along a sudden screech drowned out the giggling in my ears. At this I quickly found that I was able to move on my own again. When I turned to see how this was possible I saw the chains severed as though they'd been burnt through. Looking at the starmaid's shadow I noticed it clutching it's hand as it hissed in agonized rage. Her eyes of sunken treasure pierced the darkness from her shadow's face, glaring straight at someone that I spun around on my heel to find. In the alley holding a brightly blazing torch was Heart gasping for breath as she held out the flame defensively as she snapped, "If you loved him you wouldn't treat him as a pet!"

The shadow shrieked at her with venom in her voice. Heart braced herself as she stepped forward, "Go ahead and hiss at me! I won't let you strip him of his freedom!"

It was now that I noticed Heart's shadow along the wall as the starmaid reached for it. With something in my chest leaping to my throat I reached out and grabbed her quickly as I pulled her back against me. Despite saving her from the grasp of the twisted siren, the razor sharp nails managed to catch the shadow of Heart's face. When I looked to her I noticed a trickle of blood running down from just below her right eye.

In the same instant, out of instinct, Heart swung her torch again and burned the remaining shadow away with it's light. She didn't stop until it had splinterd apart and then vanished with one last shriek of agony and disdain in that fierce blaze. When her golden eyes flashed with a fury fixed upon Heart and myself I thought our very souls would be stricken right then and there. Then they, and her voice, were gone.

All we heard afterwards were the sounds of a tavern brawl down the way and fast paced music to encourage it. Around us however it was chillinglysilent as she pulled away from me now. Then while catching her breath still she turned to look up at me.

"Have ya lost your mind?! I told ya to stay away!" I snapped as it finally registered what she'd just done.

"I can't just forget about this and you captain! Even away from you I could still hear her trying to ensnare you! If there's a way to save you I will help you find it!"

"Your brothers-"

"My brothers will have to understand somehow! I left a message at the inn in case they pass by, that I will find them as soon as I can, but that there's something I have to do first!"

The certainty in her sapphire eyes didn't waver as I looked into them. It was only now as I heard her catching her breath a little still that I realized something. Her cheeks were quite flushed, and sweat beaded her forehead as she regained her composure.

"Heart...when ya heard her...did ya run all the way here?" I asked in disbelief.

She admitted in a softer tone, "I was afraid if I didn't that I wouldn't find you in time. I didn't know what her song was doing to you this time, I didn't want to..."

My heart stricken I couldn't help but look at her in lingering shock. I then reached a hand out to gently wipe the blood from her cheek.

"Ya don't have ta do this Heart," I tried to protest.

"It's my choice to Captain," she told me firmly.

"Then what will you do afterwards my fair lady?" I asked her curiously.

"When your curse is broken I will seek out my brothers," she said.

"Ya know, in a way, I hope it takes a little while then," I teased her with a playful smirk curving my beak.

I then took the torch from her carefully and hung it up on the wall where it belonged. Afterwards I looked back at her to find her picking up the pack she had thrown on the ground just before fending off the shadow.

"Where are the others by the way?" Heart then asked as we began walking together.

"At the bar back there. Irving's probably brawling with a few drunks right now. Mare's probably tryin' to make sure they get all the supplies we need with Ava. Norelle's probably stealin' the spotlight of some other bard," I shrugged my shoulders with a chuckle in my throat, "An' other such things I'm sure."

"You didn't want to dance tonight?" She questioned.

"Not exactly," I admitted before glancing at her, "At least not with anyone there."

Heart raised a brow as she looked up at me, "Couldn't find any ladies to charm?"

"Would you have been jealous if I had?" I asked rater directly to watch her blush and look away.

"You can do what you want," she told me quickly.

"Well then," I started thoughtfully as I swiftly caught her hand and pulled her against me.

She looked up at me quite startled before we both heard the lively tune from the bar nearby.

"I want ta dance with the lovely lady that saved my life tonight," I told her with a charming smile, "An' perhaps said lady will let me steal another kiss? Maybe from your lips this time?"

Her pale skin turned nearly as crimson as her hair. With a chuckle I then said, "Then at least upon your blushin' cheek again?"

With that I kissed her right cheek gently and quickly before leading her into a dance beneath the lamp light. She resisted at first, claiming she'd never danced before. Though with some leading I managed to coax her into a dance, having her twirl elegantly beneath my fingertips as the music played. As I spun her swiftly I just as smoothly pulled her back into me, and when the melody came to a stop I caught her hand again, pulling her against me with my other hand pressing her back. For a moment I chuckled softly as I wondered if her cheeks would ever be pale again.

"So now that you've come back ta stay on my ship a bit longer where shall I put ya?" I asked her.

She stepped back realizing she hadn't thought of that. Then she took a deep breath as she said, "If you want me to stay with the crew that's fine. I don't want to impose on anyone else; but I also don't want to be left behind."

I gave a smirk as I watched her start down the path towards the inn we were headed to.

"You're not goin' ta where ya paid ta stay?" I asked.

She shook her head looking straight into my core it seemed, "I'm not chancing you trying to leave me here."

"I wouldn't leave any of my crew behind," I assured her in a wounded tone.

"That I believe, but I think you would try and leave me here wouldn't you? If only to try and protect me?" she replied.

"So then where will you sleep tonight then?"

"I still have plenty of gold, I'll just pay for another room," she shrugged.

"Rooms have been filled for the night darlin'," I mentioned to her apologetically.

She then raised a brow at this, "Are you lying Captain?"

"Ask them yourself Miss Flashblade," I offered as I opened the door for her to enter.

She found I wasn't lying.

"The rest of the crew are already sharing rooms as it is," I added.

"You aren't staying with any of them? With that creature haunting you?" She questioned.

"I'm their brave an' bold captain, I can take on a little danger," I said to her smoothly.

Again she raised a brow at this before I pointed out, "I am a captain of a ship for a reason darlin'. I may be in a tight spot at the moment, but I am more than capable with a blade."

Heart seemed to believe this when she noticed the hilt of my saber hanging securely at my side.

"Ya know, you can always stay with me sweetheart?" I suggested while glancing over at her.

"I feel I shouldn't encourage you," she protested when I slipped an arm along her shoulders and pulled her against me.

"You can always head back to the other inn then," I reminded her.

Heart:

I realized I had little choice in this. Either risk him leaving me behind the next morning, or fend him off another night. He watched me scratch the back of my neck nervously as I tried to figure out what to do.

"I could stay on the ship," I mentioned, "Just tell me where to sleep and I'll head back."

Duke shook his head, "Not a chance darlin'. As a gentleman I will not allow a lady ta stay on the ship alone while the rest of the crew gets a bed an' good rest from our travels. Besides it's quite late an' it will take ya a while to get back there now."

Then he looked into my eyes as I looked up at him in clear frustration.

"Heart, jus' stay with me please? I'll look out for ya if there's trouble," he told me.

Gazing up at him I noticed a sincereity in his eye that tugged at me. I also noticed that his eye had regained it's color since dancing with him. For a brief moment I shuddered when I recalled seeing him being lead away. He hadn't even heard me running up to him. Robbed of his freedom I had realized she intended on leading him towards the docks. If I hadn't caught up to him...he might have been...

"If I hadn't found you..." I breathed to recieve a puzzled expression on his face.

What would happen if her song continued this night? Would he again be lead away without a choice?

"Yes Captain, I'll stay with you," I gave in without further hesitation.

Duke gave a smile upon hearing this. With that he lead me up to the room his rented room. To my relief there was at least a second bed that I quickly set my pack on.

"Odd choice captain?" I mentioned when I noticed the room layout.

He shrugged his shoulders before walking over and sitting on the edge of his own bed. After slipping off hit coat and vest, I watched as he examined his wrists a bit closer in the much calmer setting of the room. I heard as his his breath siezed sharply as he rubbed them a bit. Seeing this I couldn't help but approach him to see what was bothering him. It was then I found along with him that some of his feathers had been disshuffled to reveal a bit of bruising on both wrists from the chains she'd had on him.

Without giving him a chance to pull away in any way I gently took his left hand and did what I could to ease the pain in it.

"Does this help?" I asked him while rubbing his wrist carefully.

"Yes sweetheart," he admitted quietly.

"Heart, tell me why ya really came back?" He then requested.

"I can't walk away knowing you're in trouble. It would haunt me to my dying day wondering if you were ever freed from her," I told him as I started with his other wrist now.

"I'm just a thief an' a pirate darlin'. One less in the galaxy might be better?" He reminded me, "My freedom an' life are at risk every day. I steal treasure an' hearts remember?"

I felt myself pause at the last bit. He noticed as he asked once more, "Does that bother ya?"

"Why should it bother me?" I asked him while trying to mask the growing irritation that bewildered me, "Other than that's what got a curse put on you in the first place?"

"Curse or not," he said with a somewhat smug smirk, "It seems ta ruffle feathers ya don't have sweetheart."

This time I let go of his wrist and walked back to my bed; or at least I tried to. When he caught my hand he pulled me back to him until I was pulling into his lap. I attempted to resist at firs,t but then stopped when he chuckled in a soft and playful blend of a voice. However he stopped abruptly when he noticed my hand. Upon the back of it was a reddened burn mark I hadn't noticed myself until now.

Without warning he kissed it before hugging me close to him, "Allow me this brief lapse of judgement?"

Looking up at him as he held me against his warm chest I soon felt myself giving in.

I then heard myself say softly to him as I rubbed his neck free of the collar he'd felt before, "I'd rather you be a pirate than her pet. Let the galaxy sort itself out?"

Duke looked at me and gave a soft laugh, surprised by my words, "You're such an odd young lady Miss Flashblade."

"So I've been told," I teased him in return before allowing myself to lean into his embrace for a little while, forgetting my own sense of judgement.

He then sat me beside him on the bed and located a med kit in the second drawer of the nightstand. Before I could resist he was holding my hand steady while tending to the burn on my hand. Once it was cleaned and bandaged he finally released me.

While regaining my senses I quickly got up and went to lie down on my bed for the night. Only now did I realize how exhausted I was from everything that had happened between recovering from that fever and everything that followed.

After allowing myself to collapse face down onto the matress I turned my head to look over at Duke as he stretched out on his own bed. Dropping his boots at the side of it he caught me watching him and teased, "Ya sure ya don't want to share?"

"I'm about to throw a pillow at you," I warned him sharply.

"You're so cute when ya blush," he told me as I sent one flying at him.

I pegged him in the shoulder and he laughed.

"Sweet dreams love," he then sighed quietly after he tossed it back to me.

Shaking my head while I caught it I answered, "Sleep well Captain."

"You can use my name sweetheart," he offered while half asleep.

"Good night Duke," I answered as he drifted off to sleep.

I watched him a moment longer, until I was certain he was sound asleep. Then I shook my head as I pushed myself back up and stumbled over to him tiredly. With a fatigued sigh I pulled his blanket he'd neglected at the foot of the bed up to his shoulder. When he smiled contently from the warmth in his sleep I felt something in my chest skip. As it did I risked a gentle hand out to brush his feathered ponytail and along his neck to ease the pain and tension I felt trying to knot up in him as I attempted a whisper of a promise, "Thief or not...I want you to have your freedom Duke...no matter what it takes to save you."

With that I found myself reluctantly pulling my hand back to then return to my own bed. After yanking my blanket up and over me I watched him until I drifted off to sleep as well.