"Sun down... I should have you back at the academy soon. Unless of course, you do not wish to return." Menarx murmured as Neveah emerged from the washroom.

It had been a long walk back to dragon keep but Neveah had opted for a walk, firstly because she noticed Menarx’s injury had not healed and shifting forms would do him no good.

Secondly, Neveah just needed the moment of peace and quiet to sort out her thoughts.

They had finally arrived at Dragon Keep and Menarx stuck close to Neveah’s side the whole way, his presence driving away the chill of the keep walls so well that Neveah did not even take notice of it.

Of course, Neveah had chosen to wash up first. There was mud stuck at the most inopportune places and though Menarx did not seem to mind, Neveah surely did.

"You should change out of those mud stained bandages, Narx. Your wound could get infected." Neveah cautioned as she pulled her robes tighter around herself.

Menarx lay on Neveah’s bed, his head propped up on his arm, staring over at her with a silly smile on his lips, a smile that had lingered since the kiss they shared.

Neveah cleared her throat audibly as the thought of the kiss returned to her mind, of Menarx’s slow, sensuous ministerations.

His light, tender touch and the warmth of his breath melded with hers.

Menarx’s kiss was none of the fiery passion and demanding urgency of Xenon...it was slow, sweet and heartwarming, a really strange yet satisfying mix.

That did not mean Menarx was lacking in sensuality, Neveah’s tongue grazed over the bruise Menarx had left on her bottom lip and she quickly shook her head afterwards.

"I saw already." Menarx offered and only then did Neveah recall the object of her thoughts stared right at her, his silly smile now a smug smirk.

"Do not flatter yourself..." Neveah grumbled as she walked over to her closet to retrieve a casual dress.

Neveah’s riding suit was already in ruins and she would not return to the academy in that manner.

"Do you have to go back?" Menarx grumbled in reluctance as Neveah headed back to the washroom to get changed.

"His Grace has left orders that I am to remain at the academy till the unrest is sorted out. He would not take kindly to defiance." Neveah pointed out.

"Since when do you mind? You have been a pain Jian precisely because you never regard his authority." Menarx pointed out.

Neveah shrugged casually, it was not as though she did not recognize the authority of the dragon king, it was impossible to ignore when his very aura itself was so imposing.

Neveah just did not see any reason why she had to do as he said, most of the time, what the dragon king wanted did not spell good for Neveah.

However, this time had been different. Though the method with which the dragon king had shipped Neveah off to the academy still displeased Neveah...this time, for whatever reason, King Jian had provided her an explanation in person.

And Neveah felt for just this once, she could at least honor the dragon king’s will.

"I am King’s guard...I must learn to tolerate him." Neveah replied.

Menarx chuckled in amusement at Neveah’s words, sitting up on the bed.

"Why do I feel I have missed something?" Menarx asked curiously.

Neveah opened her mouth to speak but recalling the words of the dragon king, she was quick to hold her tongue.

No one was to know he had been to his brother’s memorial hall, Neveah was not certain if that applied to Menarx also.

"You will have to pacify the unrest, His grace believes the academy to be safer for me in this time...from what I Have seen, he is not wrong. All the residents of the keep have returned to their homes...I understand the situation requires absolute attention and discretion."

"If staying out of your way is what I can do for you...then I will do that. For this time only." Neveah decided.

_________________

"You look to be...in one piece." Master Maloway stated the obvious as he regarded Neveah with a blank gaze for just a moment before returning his attention to the scroll on his table.

The raven perched on the coat hanger by the door still gawked at Neveah and so she knew Master Maloway still watched her, even so, Neveah rolled her eyes.

"Carted away from academy grounds by your Lord Dragon, displaying your ridiculous affection for one another for all eyes to see, I assumed you would not return." Master Maloway continued after a moment of quiet.

"I am here on His Grace’s orders, I know better than to leave at my own will." Neveah forced out through gritted teeth.

"Do you now?" Master Maloway asked in disbelief.

"Menarx is to lead the war effort... I will stay out of his way for as long as I am expected to. I can do that much." Neveah adjusted.

"You have gained enlightenment after your first trial, I see." Master Maloway commented.

"I gained bruises, a ripped suit and burning insides too...but let us ignore those entirely as enlightenment is all that is of significance." Neveah grumbled beneath her breath.

Master Maloway glanced up at Neveah, fixing her with a withering glare which Neveah pointedly ignored.

Neveah was beginning to realize Master Maloway was only capable of saying nasty words and giving nasty looks.

He was generally just an unpleasant person and Menarx had assured Neveah that he meant no harm.

Neveah had come deciding to be the bigger person, but it was a difficult endeavor giving how Master Maloway was.

"I am not inclined to give ear to your whining, retire to your quarters and await further orders. Given as Lord Skiren has changed the dynamics, I must now decide what training is best assigned to you." Master Maloway said in a begrudging tone, waving his hand to dismiss Neveah.