Mina wasn't too keen on having another person know about their escape plans, especially Sylvan for that matter, but she knew better than to argue. As much as Magnus trusted her, he would always trust Sylvan more. Trying to drive a rift between the two would only end up backfiring on her.

Getting to the cart and past the castle gates went on without a hitch. Unfortunately, their hopes for a peaceful excursion died when the cart came to an abrupt stop just outside the city. Mina and Magnus lay facing each other this time around, and even in the darkness, they could see the confused and worried expressions crossing the other's face. Outside, they could hear the muffled sounds of Gable's frightened voice and two unfamiliar ones. Mina's hand shifted to her knife and Magnus did the same.

Someone threw off the tarp, abruptly exposing them to the cold night air. Magnus immediately sat up, keeping Mina behind him and raising his dagger.

"Oh, looks like we've got two lovebird stowaways!"

Before them, they could make out the outlines of two figures clad in black, armed with knives of their own. Mina unsheathed her own blade, her heart pounding in her ears. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Gable gasped, raising his hands. "How—"

Magnus gripped his dagger. "Look, I don't want to hurt anyone..."

The man ahead of him scoffed. "Pel!" he barked.

His partner stalked over to where Gable was sitting, grabbing him by the coat and hauling him off the cart. The horses stamped and whinnied in distress. 

"We don't want a fight either, but try anything and we'll slit his throat."

Gable kept his hands raised. "Please..." he begged. "Just do as they say..."

"Drop your weapons," the first man ordered. "And step out of the cart."

Magnus sensed Mina's body tense. She surged forward, but he caught her with his free arm, keeping her securely behind him. They both knew they both could handle themselves in a fight, but Gable's presence threw a wrench in the situation. Magnus rose slowly, stepping out of the cart and helping her out after him. He still kept his body positioned protectively in front of her in case the bandits tried anything.

"I said drop your weapons," the man said again.

The one holding Gable—Pel—pressed his blade closer to the merchant's neck. Gable sucked in a sharp breath. Slowly, Magnus lowered his blade to the ground and Mina followed suit.

"Step away," the man ordered, and they obeyed, still not saying a word.

As soon as they were a comfortable enough distance, the man turned and rifled through the cart and its contents. The longer he looked, the more frantic his movements became, shoving the empty crates around and overturning boxes.

"There's nothing here."

"What do you mean?" the other asked, the panic rising in his voice.

"I just made a delivery to the castle, what else would you expect?" Gable bit back.

"Well, maybe we could take the horses—Father!"

Magnus rushed the man, slamming him against the side of the cart. The man twisted and swung wildly, his blade catching Magnus's cheek just under his eye. Magnus jerked back but caught the man's arm, twisting it behind his back and forcing him to drop the knife with a grunt of pain. Magnus kicked the blade out of reach with his boot and locked his arm around the man's neck, pulling him away from the cart to face Gable and Pel. The man struggled against Magnus but stilled when he felt the press of a blade to his side. Mina had retrieved their weapons during the scuffle and now stood at Magnus's right, blades at the ready.

"Let him go," Magnus ordered the boy, his voice harsher than Mina had ever heard it. Magnus could feel the blood dripping from his face, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it now.

Pel gripped his knife, but he glanced at his father for guidance. Gable stared at all of them wide eyed, too afraid to even breathe wrong.

"Please," Pel gasped, now the one begging. "Please don't hurt him. We were just looking for food."

Magnus hesitated but didn't loosen his grip. "Let Gable go, and I'll release your father. I told you, we don't want to hurt anyone."

Pel glanced at his father again. "Do what he says." the man instructed.

Slowly, Pel pulled his blade away from Gable's neck and pushed him forward. Gable scrambled away, taking refuge behind his cart.

"Now let my father go," Pel demanded, though his voice trembled.

Nodding to Mina, Magnus released the man and stepped back. As he rejoined his son, Mina passed Magnus his dagger. Magnus kept his eyes fixed on the pair.

"You're looking for food?" he asked, his voice softer than before.

The man looked back at them and then nodded slowly. "We haven't eaten in days. And I have a daughter who's sick at home."

Magnus frowned. Mina, sensing what he was thinking, touched his arm in reassurance.

"Mina, retrieve his knife please," Magnus murmured, sheathing his dagger before stepping forward.

They recoiled, seeming on the verge of bolting, but they paused as Magnus drew something from his pocket and held it out to them. 

"Take it," he said simply. "Sell it and get what you need."

The man approached tentatively, and Magnus dropped a gold ring in his extended palm, the gleam of the metal a stark contrast to his grimy skin. The man's breath hitched in his throat.

Mina came up beside Magnus and held out the man's knife to him, handle first. "I know what it's like. But you have to pick your battles wisely. Don't hurt other innocents out of desperation."

The man took the knife back and sheathed it, staring at Mina and Magnus wide eyed in surprise and confusion. "How? Why? Who are you?"

Magnus hesitated, so Mina stepped closer, taking his hand in hers. "People trying to be better," she spoke softly.

The wind whispered through the night, and the horses stamped nervously behind them. Finally, the man bowed his head in silent gratitude before nodding to his son. They both turned and scurried off, disappearing as quickly as they had emerged into the night.

Magnus exhaled slowly. "That could have ended a lot worse." He paused when he felt Mina touch his face, turning it towards her so she could see it better.

"Shit, you're bleeding."

He reached up, feeling the dried blood lingering on his skin. "Also could have been worse. It missed my eye."

Mina felt her stomach drop. He had said his father notably kept his face pristine and spotless. How were they supposed to explain this?

Magnus sensed her distress and caught both of her hands in his. "Hey, hey, it's going to be okay. We'll say it was a sparring accident and nothing else."

Gable eyed them, his face twisting in curiosity and suspicion. "You two came from the castle, didn't you?"

They both tensed, turning to look at him. "Yes, and?" Mina replied, stepping in front of Magnus like he had done for her earlier in the night.

Gable didn't look away but remained securely behind his cart. "You saved me. I'd know better than to betray that." He squinted in the darkness, trying to put the pieces together. "But you know I can't keep doing this. The king will surely have my head if anyone finds out I've been sneaking castle hands out, accidental or not."

Magnus nodded. "We're sorry. We didn't have many other options."

Gable sighed. "Need a ride to the city? Is that why you're here?"

"Yes," Magnus answered, hoping the questions would end there.

To his relief, Gable simply nodded, climbing onto the front of the cart and picking up the reins again. "I'll bring you the rest of the way, come on."

After a brief hesitation, they joined him, climbing into the back of the cart again. Since they no longer had to hide, they sat side by side though not quite touching. The air was heavy with all the words they wanted to say but couldn't. Even when Gable dropped them off, they remained in silence for a while as they wandered through the crowded streets.

Hearing the faint sound of lively music, Magnus paused to find the source of it. Mina looked at him quizzically but followed his lead without a question. Eventually, they found themselves standing in front of a bar bursting with light, music, and dancing. A small smile came to Magnus's face.

"Think it's safe enough?"

Mina shrugged. "I think we can handle a couple of drunks."

The whole place reeked of booze, sweat, and vomit, but Magnus focused on the brighter aspects—the clink of flasks, the swaying glass lanterns, and the band performing in the corner. The lead singer was a girl whose dress looked like a quilt of patches and a mess of flowers were caught in her dark curly hair. She was joined by two boys on a drum and a fiddle, another girl on a flute, and an older man on a lute. Together they strung together an upbeat tune that had the bar patrons cheering and clapping.

Keeping Mina close, Magnus weaved through the crowd toward the bar counter. He had brought a few coins with him, and he kept them clenched in his fist so that no one could slip them from his pocket.

Mina touched his shoulder, and he glanced back at her. "Is it a good idea? I don't want to let my guard down."

"I'm just going to have a small drink. You don't have to if you don't want to."

She frowned. "We can share one."

Magnus smiled. "You pick, then."

Mina leaned her elbows on the counter, staring at the assortment of bottles for a few moments. "Hey, you got plum brandy here?"

The barkeep grunted, sliding a bottle off the shelf and popping the top off.

"Just one for me and my wife to share, please," Magnus piped in.

He laid a few coins on the counter and the barkeep took it, serving them their drink in a chipped ceramic cup. As soon as he was out of earshot, Mina slapped Magnus's chest. "Wife?"

He smiled cheekily, catching her hand to stop her. "It slipped out."

"It slipped out," she repeated in disbelief.

"Would you rather me call you my friend, then?"

She hesitated, her eyes falling away from him, and she traced the uneven planes of the wood counter with her finger. "Is that what we are?"

His eyes remained fixed on her. "I don't know. What do you think?"

She stared up at him again, her lips parting just slightly, but no words coming out. Friends? Her and him? Kirian was her friend. Reva and Sophie, maybe. Him?

Her. He wished he had the right words to express how he felt about her, but this was uncharted territory for him. How would she react? Would she push him away? Would he ruin everything?

"We make a good team," Magnus finally murmured, breaking the silence.

Mina nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"I think this goes without saying, but I'd trust you to watch my back any day. And there's very few people I can say that about."

She turned away, feeling a familiar ache return to her chest. Maybe she needed that drink after all. "Thank you. And I...I always feel safe when I'm with you."

He smiled. "I'm glad." He nudged the cup over to her. "Ladies first."

She rolled her eyes a little but lifted it to her lips and took a sip, feeling the burn as it slid down her throat. She passed it back to him and he drank the rest, his expression mirroring hers. He laughed, carefree and unbothered, and his blue eyes shone.

Now that they were in the light, she could get a better look at his injury. It was small enough that careful makeup could probably cover it up, but she feared what would happen if the king ever found out. He'd punish Magnus again no doubt, no matter what excuse he gave.

"Would you like to dance?"

She snapped to attention, realizing she had been staring at his face. "What?"

He grinned, tilting his head to the dance floor and holding his hand out to her. "It'll be fun."

"I-I can't dance," she protested. "I don't know how."

"Sure you can," he insisted. "I only know how to waltz, and this is nothing like that."

She hesitated, but she could already feel her walls coming down. She allowed her hand to fall into his and together they joined the rowdy crowd. Mina was tentative at first, watching her feet and the others around her, unsure of how she looked or if she was doing anything right. Her breath caught in her throat when she felt the gentle touch of Magnus's hand under her chin, raising her head to look at him.

"Hey," he urged with a smile. "We're here to have fun and let loose. Nothing else matters right now."

His dancing was nothing short of awkward and ridiculous, and though he pranced around like a young child at play, he didn't seem to care. He clicked his heels, flailed his arms, and spun circles around her, laughing and clapping the whole time. His energy was infectious, and she couldn't help but follow, stomping her feet to the beat and swinging her hips. To his delight, he watched as her signature frown melted from her face and a radiant smile took its place. At that moment, the whole world seemed to fall away, and there was only her and her laugh and her beautiful eyes and her gorgeous smile.

Taking her by the hands again, he spun her around, and she squealed with glee, hanging onto him as everything around her turned to a blur. In the frenzy, she stumbled over her own feet, but he was there to catch her and steady her.

"I've got you," he murmured, his eyes never leaving hers.

The song ended and the crowd roared in approval. They stood there in each other's arms, cheeks flushed and breathing hard—him, without his crown and his gloves, and her, without her frown and her blade. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, and he reached over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. For once, she didn't pull away at the close contact but just let him hold her, allowing herself to enjoy the warmth of his skin and softness of his hands. His touches were so different from those she had previously known—always giving and offering himself to her fully, never taking nor demanding anything.

She felt him start to pull away, but she held on, drawing him closer. She didn't know how to express what she felt in words, so she embraced him silently, wrapping her arms securely around his body and resting her head on his chest. This surprised him, but he gladly welcomed it, holding her like he was afraid he'd lose her if he dared to let go.

For a moment, everything felt right in the world, and even as they stepped back into the cold night, the warmth still lingered like a memory of a dream.