Tellic shook Jahree awake, his voice low but urgent. “Hey, are you okay? You ha-ven’t had a nightmare like that in a couple of years.” Jahree took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. The darkness of the bar-racks felt oppressive after the vivid terror of his dream. “Great way to start my night off,” he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. Tellic sat down on the edge of Jahree’s bed, his face etched with worry. “Is there something bothering you?” His tone was gentle but probing. Jahree frowned, searching his mind. The dream had been intense, but he couldn’t place its cause. “I don’t think so,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Just... one of those nights, I guess.” Tellic’s expression shifted from worry to determination. “I should’ve wrapped you up,” he said. Jahree rolled his eyes. “I don’t need you tucking me in, Tel.” He glanced at his friend, realizing Tellic must have been on duty already, hearing his distress during his rounds. The thought made Jahree feel a bit embarrassed but grateful. Tellic grinned, leaning back slightly. “Have you convinced Lanni to do that for you yet?” His teasing tone broke the tension, and Jahree couldn’t help but smile. “No,” Jahree replied with a chuckle, catching on to the implication. “I don’t want to push her too hard. It’ll happen when it happens.” “Just treat her right,” Tellic advised with a knowing nod as he stood to leave. “I’ve got to get back to my rounds. See you in the morning.” “Have fun.” Jahree watched him go, feeling more at ease. He dressed and headed to dinner, but he’d missed eating with the night shift, which meant he’d missed Lanni as well. As he entered the dining hall, Shan waved him over. “Join us,” Shan offered with a grin, gesturing to the seat next to him. Jahree ac-cepted, eating in good company, though his thoughts kept drifting to Lanni. Afterward, he went to find her, eventually spotting her cleaning up after the even-ing meal. She didn’t notice him right away, but when she did, she smiled warmly. “Can I get you something?” “No,” Jahree replied, stepping closer. “I was just wondering if you’d like to join me in town when you're done for the day?” Lanni’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with interest. “I could. Give me a bit to put out a snack for the others and change. Can I find you in your room?” “Sure,” Jahree agreed, feeling a small thrill at the thought. Part of him had consid-ered staying with her while she finished, but if she wanted to change, it was better to wait. Back in the barracks, he saw Tellic’s books spread across the table. Tellic loved to read and always had something in his hands when he wasn’t on duty. Jahree wasn’t much of a reader, but he occasionally indulged. He picked up the book at the bottom of the stack, figuring it was one Tellic hadn’t gotten to yet. It was about the War of Trito. Jahree knew the story. The Ertonians had sought peace with the Tamerians after years of conflict, arranging a peace summit in the Menthanlan capital of Trito. But instead of peace, the Tamerians had chosen betrayal, attacking the gathered Ertonian Senate. The Tamerians had brought trolls with them, using the brutish creatures to overwhelm the de-fenders. Jahree’s stomach tightened as he read, knowing that history painted his people, the Tamerians, as ruthless aggressors. His own parents had fled Tameria for Menthanla as refugees, but he never under-stood why. They’d died when he was young, leaving him with only fragmented memories and a legacy of guilt he couldn’t shake. Now, as a Tamerian living in Menthanla, he kept his origins an open secret, though it often felt like a shadow that hung over him. A knock on his door snapped him out of his thoughts. “Jahree?” Lanni’s voice called softly through the door. Time had passed more quickly than he’d realized. He jumped up, heart racing again, but for a much more pleas-ant reason this time. He opened the door, greeted by her smile. “Ready?” she asked. “Ready,” he said, returning the smile. She led him to the inn she always raved about. “Best place in town,” she claimed, her voice full of certainty. “Drinks are decent, and the clientele are friendly—at least, they don’t cause trouble.” When they walked in, Jahree understood why. The inn was filled with fellow sol-diers. The familiar faces and easygoing chatter made him feel at ease. Lanni introduced him to some of her friends, and they spent the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. But no matter how the conversations flowed, Lanni never acted as though she’d forgotten she was there with him. Even for just tonight, they felt like a cou-ple. She ordered whiskey instead of Lanish, a strong choice he hadn’t expected. At first, she drank fast, like she intended to get drunk, but after a moment, she caught her-self and slowed down. Jahree appreciated that—he preferred not to get drunk if he could help it. The bar stayed open late to accommodate the night shift, but it wouldn’t stay open all night. As they left, Jahree hesitantly reached for her hand, uncertain how she’d respond. To his relief, she took it without a second thought, holding it gently as they walked back. “I had fun tonight,” Lanni said softly, her voice carrying warmth in the cool night air. “Me too,” Jahree replied, his heart lighter than it had been all day. “If you don’t see much of me for a while, it’s not because I’m avoiding you,” she added after a pause. “There’s a party next week, and I have a lot to get ready for.” “Okay,” Jahree said, though he felt a small pang of doubt. Was that really the rea-son? She seemed to catch it. “Seriously, there’s just so much to do. This night was per-fectly timed. I hope we can do it again soon.” “I’d like that,” he agreed, meaning it. When they neared her quarters, Jahree slowed. “I’ll walk you to your door,” he of-fered. She laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t need a bodyguard, Jahree.” “I just want to make sure you get in okay,” he insisted with a grin. “I don’t bite.” “Tellic’s patrolling out here, and Trema’s inside. I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “You don’t want me near your room,” he accused, teasing. “I don’t bite.” Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him, her lips soft and quick against his. When she pulled back, she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, “Too bad—I do.” Stunned, Jahree watched her walk inside, the door closing behind her before he could fully process her words. “Jahree?” Tellic’s voice broke through his daze. He hadn’t even noticed his friend approaching. “Jahree, you okay?” Jahree blinked, turning to face him. “Don’t call me that,” he muttered, though without much heat. “I’m fine. I went into town with Lanni.” Tellic raised an eyebrow. “Have fun?” “We did,” Jahree said, still feeling a bit off-balance. “She said she bites.” Tellic’s grin widened. “Bites?” “I was going to walk her in, but she didn’t want me to. I said I didn’t bite, and she said she does,” Jahree explained. Tellic chuckled. “Some people are into that, you know.” “I’ve heard,” Jahree said with a shrug. “Never met one.” “Maybe she was just playing with you,” Tellic suggested. “Maybe.” Jahree’s thoughts were still tangled. “Then she kissed me.” Tellic looked at him, his expression serious now. “Isn’t that what you wanted?” “Yes, but…” Jahree hesitated, not quite sure how to put his feelings into words. “But what?” Tellic pressed. “You having second thoughts?” “No, it’s not that.” Jahree sighed. “I don’t know what it is.” “Maybe you’re actually developing feelings for this one,” Tellic guessed, his tone gentler. “Wouldn’t matter,” Jahree said quietly, his eyes distant. “Once she learns my past, she won’t want me.” “You don’t know that,” Tellic replied firmly. “A lot of what happened wasn’t your fault.” If only others believed that, Jahree thought bitterly. “Yes, Papa Tey,” he teased, deflecting. “Anyway, I’ll see you when you get off.” Tellic watched him walk away, but didn’t push further. Jahree’s past had always been a sore subject, one that even time and friendship hadn’t fully healed. #fantasy, #magic, #dragons, #hiddenlands