Unsure of her way, Sapphire had stopped two maids sweeping near the corridor. They exchanged glances before one reluctantly pointed toward the eastern courtyard.
Sapphire offered a polite nod of thanks before making her way across the cobbled path. The morning air was crisp, and the distant sound of neighing guided her until she reached the stables.
There, leaning casually against the stable wall with his arms folded, stood a lanky man with sun-touched skin and tousled dark hair. Asahel. His eyes were closed, face calm as though he'd been waiting for her all morning.
As if sensing her presence, his lids lifted slowly, revealing a glint of mischief beneath heavy lashes.
"You clean up nice," he drawled, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
Sapphire rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small grin that played on her lips.
"And you still look like you haven't slept in three days."
Asahel chuckled. Of all the faces in Hivities, his was the only one that ever greeted her with warmth instead of suspicion.
"It comes with the handsome face," Asahel said with a wink, brushing imaginary dust from his tunic.
Sapphire shook her head, pretending to scoff, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. She tried to hide it, but failed miserably.
"That confident, are you?" she murmured.
Asahel stepped forward, voice light. "Just stating the obvious."
Truth be told, Sapphire had to agree. His rugged charm and the easy way he carried himself made him stand out, even in a place where cold stares and stiff backs were the norm. She nodded slightly, eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than she meant to.
"Let's get to work before your pretty smile gets us both whipped," he teased, turning toward the stable doors with a grin.
A Stable boy rushed forward, nearly tripping over a bale of hay as he bowed his head slightly.
"Sir," he greeted respectfully, offering Asahel the reins of two glossy stallions, their coats still damp from being brushed down.
Asahel took them without pause, giving the boy a curt nod. "Good lad," he muttered, tossing one of the reins toward Sapphire, who caught it awkwardly.
She stared at the animal, unsure of what to do next. The beast huffed, stamping its hoof in the dirt as if sensing her hesitation.
Asahel chuckled under his breath. "Don't worry, he bites only when provoked. Much like Lord Typhon."
Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "Noted. I'll try not to provoke either."
Asahel mounted his Stallion with practiced ease and motioned for her to do the same. "We've got rounds to make. You'll be my shadow today."
She gave him a wary glance. "Shadow?"
He smirked. "Means if I fall, you fall too. Try not to slow me down, Lady Trouble."
Despite herself, Sapphire swung her leg over the saddle, adjusting her seat with a quiet grunt. She wasn't sure what kind of work she'd be doing but somehow, with Asahel's cheeky grin and steady confidence beside her, she felt a little less out of place.
"Anyway," Asahel cleared his throat, slipping back into his usual charm, "we've got coin to collect, egos to deflate, and possibly one or two merchants to threaten into honesty. Stay close, Lady Trouble.
Typhon had given the order that morning with little room for question
"Take the human with you. Show her the workings of town. Collect from the merchants. I trust you'll manage, Asahel."
And that was that.
Now, as Asahel walked ahead with a casual stride, reins in hand, Sapphire followed, still adjusting to the feel of her ill-fitted tunic and the weight of eyes that always seemed to follow her.
He didn't say much at first, only glanced back occasionally to be sure she wasn't lost. The town's outer gate loomed ahead, and with it, the bustle of marketplace voices, clanging metal, and spice-filled air.
"You're wondering why I'm doing this and not the Steward, aren't you?" Asahel asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Sapphire blinked. "It crossed my mind."
"Well…" he paused, rubbing the back of his neck, "He's… unavailable."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Unavailable?"
"Dead," he muttered under his breath, then quickly covered it with a cough. "Transferred. Let's go with transferred."
Sapphire said nothing, but her gaze lingered on him as they passed through the town gates.
He sighed. "Look, I'll be honest. He wasn't exactly popular. And Lord Typhon isn't one for incompetence or mercy."
Asahel's tone was light, but beneath it, she sensed a quiet warning. She adjusted her belt again and quickened her steps to match his pace.
They weaved through cobbled streets lined with crooked wooden stalls and peddler shouting over each other.
Asahel stopped in front of a spice merchant whose heavy-set frame and oiled mustache gave him the look of someone used to getting his way.
"Grunwald," Asahel called out, voice smooth but firm. "You've been dodging your dues for three fortnights."
"I told the Steward I needed more time," the man grunted.
"Well, lucky for you, he's dead," Asahel replied bluntly. "You're speaking to the new collection team."
He gestured toward Sapphire, whose eyes widened slightly. Grunwald scoffed.
"A woman? What's next taxes from pigs?"
Sapphire took a slow breath, then stepped forward.
"We can either collect your payment now, or Lord Typhon will come next. And I promise, he doesn't ask twice."
The merchant blinked, then grumbled under his breath as he reached into his coin pouch and dropped a heavy bag into Asahel's hand.
"Smart choice," Asahel muttered.
As they turned away, he leaned toward Sapphire. "Not bad for your first time. You might survive this town after all."
She didn't reply, but her eyes gleamed with quiet fire.Let them all underestimate her. For now
They stopped in front of a modest merchant stall where the scent of freshly baked ginger bread and roasted nuts filled the morning air. Asahel dismounted with ease and approached the vendor, who was busy arranging trays of honey cakes glazed with syrup.
Sapphire hovered nearby, her eyes subtly stealing glances at the display, especially the honey cake studded with crushed nuts. Her stomach rumbled . A reminder she hadn't eaten much save the soup from last night.
"You ever eaten honey cake with nuts?" Asahel asked, catching her in the act of staring
Startled, she looked away awkwardly. "I doubt it," she murmured, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
He smirked, clearly amused. "Figured. You've been staring at it like it holds the secrets of the world."
Reaching into his pouch, Asahel tossed two silver coins to the merchant, who wrapped up a generous piece of honey cake, a slab of ginger bread, and a handful of sweetened nuts in waxed parchment.
"Here." He handed it to her
Sapphire hesitated, surprised, but smiled shyly as she accepted the food. "Thank you."
Without waiting for an invitation, she took a bite of the honey cake. Her eyes widened at the burst of flavor. The warm spice, the flavored sweetness, the crunch of nuts.
"This is good," she muttered, taking a larger bite with less shame.
Asahel chuckled, mounting his stallion again as he watched her with quiet amusement, arms folded as she devored the honey cake like someone who hadn't tasted sweetness in years "Easy there, sweet tooth." he teased, chuckling. "You're making a scene."
Sapphire covered her mouth with her hand, cheeks bulging and red. "Sorry," she mumbled between bites, crumbs dusting her tunic.
He shook his head with a grin. "You're welcome, by the way."
She swallowed, then glanced at him gratefully. "I already said thank you."
"Hmm. Still nice to hear again." He winked, mounting his stallion. "Come on, we've got one more stop."
She followed, tucking the wrapped bread safely under her belt. The sun had begun to rise fully now, casting a soft golden glow across the town. Children ran barefoot across the street, merchants prepared for the next wave of buyers,
Perhaps not every part of Hivities was cruel.
She swallowed, still chewing. "Sorry."
"Don't be," he said, casting her a sideways glance as she climbed onto her mule. "It's good to see you smile for once."
They resumed their route, the early sun bathing the streets of Hivities in golden light.