Vaelorian's arms were a steel cage, holding Riven so tight it felt less like a hug and more like the desperate grip of a man who had just pulled his most precious possession from the jaws of a beast. The embrace spoke of a thousand unspoken fears, a torrent of worry held back by sheer will. After a while, he finally pulled back, his hands resting on Riven's shoulders, his eyes a storm of concern as they scanned the younger boy for any sign of injury.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low and laced with a raw, unvarnished worry.
Riven just smiled, wiping a smear of blood from his cheek. "I'm fine, Your Highness. A bit of a mess, but I'm fine."
Sir Eryndor and Barron, who had been surveying the scene, walked over, their expressions a mix of awe and exasperation.
"You're lucky His Highness was able to figure out where you had gone," Sir Eryndor said, his tone a cocktail of relief and scolding. "What were you thinking, Riven, going off on your own like that?"
"I was thinking that I couldn't just wait around while people were being sold into slavery, Sir Eryndor," Riven retorted, his smile fading into a serious expression. "Besides, I had it under control. See the bad guys? They're all neutralized, and the victims are safe. You're welcome."
"Under control?" Barron scoffed, looking at the bloody mess around them. "This is not what 'under control' looks like, Riven. This is a bloody war zone—no pun intended."
Riven shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that made Vaelorian's heart pound.
"Sometimes, you have to get a little dirty to get the job done. It was either me or them, lying down there, and I chose them."
Vaelorian looked from the carnage to Riven's face, a slow sigh escaping his lips. "Barron, go with the guards, get the victims to safety. Eryndor, secure the area and handle the arrests, if there's anyone left. Riven and I are going back to the city."
Riven's eyes widened. "Already? But I haven't even told you everything yet!"
Vaelorian shook his head. "Later. You need to get cleaned up first."
Before Riven could protest further, Vaelorian had teleported them directly to a hotel room he had already arranged in the city. The suite was a stark contrast to the bloody beach they had just left. It was a haven of plush carpets, soft lighting, and a massive marble bathroom. Riven, still covered in grime and blood, looked completely out of place in the luxurious space.
"Go," Vaelorian said, gesturing to the bathroom. "And don't come out until you're clean."
Riven just grinned and saluted. "Yes, sir!"
While Riven was in the bathroom, Vaelorian took a moment to compose himself, his mind replaying the scene at the beach. The sight of Riven standing amidst the carnage, so calm and collected, had rattled him more than he cared to admit. He was proud of Riven's courage and for rescuing the victims, but he was also terrified. What if those men had overpowered Riven? What if Riven had gotten hurt, and Vaelorian was too late to save him? A whole bunch of what-ifs clouded his mind, gnawing at the edges of his control.
He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of the bathroom door opening. Riven walked out, a fresh towel wrapped around his waist, his hair damp and slicked back. The blood and grime were gone, replaced by the clean scent of soap.
"Feeling better?" Vaelorian asked, his voice softer than he intended.
"Much," Riven replied, grabbing a plush bathrobe from the closet. He shrugged it on, then flopped onto the bed, a tired but triumphant look on his face. "Okay, now you have to tell me everything," he said, patting the space next to him. "Start with the part where you knew exactly where I was."
Vaelorian sat down on the bed, a small smile playing on his lips, his gaze on the younger boy. He began to explain how he had pieced together the clues Riven sent, how the servant at the manor had given them the final piece of the puzzle. He spoke of the servant's sister and Riven's promise, and Riven's face grew serious.
"I didn't see her at the beach, Vaelorian. I promised to get his sister back safe," Riven said, his voice firm. "We have to find her."
"We will," Vaelorian promised, his hand finding Riven's and giving it a gentle squeeze. "We will, I promise."
Riven's gaze met his, and a silent understanding passed between them. They had a lot to talk about, a lot to unpack, but for now, they were safe. And they were together.