The night air clung cool and heavy within the hidden passage, a place only Levi and Ryker knew of. It was narrow, its walls rough-hewn from stone, lit only by a sliver of moonlight that slipped through a crack above. Levi stood there in perfect stillness, the dark pressing close around him, the silence unbroken save for the distant hum of laughter from the palace guards.
He waited.
Not because he needed to-Levi was no man who required help finding his way. But he had long grown accustomed to Ryker's presence, the sharp contrast of his human frailty against Levi's own ruthless strength. Company, perhaps, though he would never admit as much.
At last, hurried footsteps echoed in the passage. Ryker staggered into view, flushed from the long sprint down twisting staircases and across shadowed courtyards, his breath ragged as if he had fought a battle just to reach him.
Levi's lips curved in rare amusement, a low chuckle spilling from his chest. "Slowpoke," he drawled, his once golden eyes glinting. "What kept you? I've been standing here all this time, watching the so-called defenders of the crown drink and gossip while the palace could be burning."
He tilted his head toward the courtyard, where the guards' laughter still carried faintly on the air. "If they were under attack, it would almost serve them right. But..." He scoffed, shaking his head. "It would be a shame if I didn't get to ruin them with my own hand."
T
Ryker wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze steady on his prince though his chest still heaved. For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant revelry of the guards. Then Ryker finally spoke, his tone dry.
"Well, my demon royal highness, will you stand here all night lamenting the lack of discipline in the guard-or shall we finally head to the village square, as you so planned?"
Levi smirked faintly at the mock title, the sound of it almost pleasing on Ryker's lips. His fingers brushed along the rough stone of the passage as he pushed off the wall, his voice low and smooth.
"You're impatient, Ryker." His grin sharpened. "But very well. Let's see what mischief tonight has prepared for us."
----
The night cloaked them as they slipped through the passage. Their steps were soundless, shadows among shadows, until the hidden exit released them into the open air of the outer courtyard. From there, Levi led the way down a narrow trail that cut behind the palace grounds, where weeds grew tall and the silence was broken only by the occasional cry of a night bird.
It was the quiet route, a path rarely used and never guarded. Levi preferred it that way-seclusion was freedom. Ryker trailed him, still shaking off the exhaustion of his mad dash through the palace, though his prince strode with effortless grace, his coat fluttering lightly in the breeze.
The sound of distant music grew clearer the further they walked, the pulse of drums and laughter weaving together in a tapestry of life. By the time they reached the crest of a small hill, the village square sprawled before them-ablaze with lanterns, crowded with villagers, and thick with the warm scent of roasted meats and sweet wine.
Levi slowed only slightly, his Amber gaze sweeping across the sea of faces. Heads turned at once. Conversations faltered. Wherever he walked, eyes followed. Whispers slipped from parted lips, and young maidens all melted beneath the weight of his presence. Even those who dared not meet his eyes stole glances, their admiration unspoken yet tangible in the air.
If Ryker noticed, he said nothing at first, but he did catch the sighs of women tugging at their shawls, and the stares that lingered long after Levi had passed. He smirked to himself, amused at how unaware-or indifferent-his prince seemed.
At last, the two found a wooden bench near the lantern-lit heart of the square. Ryker sat first, his shoulders easing with relief. "At least," he muttered with a crooked smile, "you could have waved to the ladies who kept their eyes glued to your face. It wouldn't have killed you to offer a smile."
Levi leaned back against the bench, folding his arms loosely across his chest. His reply came calm and cold, though his lips almost curved into a smirk. "I didn't see anyone pretty enough to deserve it."
Ryker choked on a cough, startled by the bluntness of it. "You're impossible," he muttered, shaking his head as he stood. "Fine. I'll get us something to drink. Try not to break any hearts while I'm gone."
Levi said nothing, only turned his gaze toward the flickering lanterns, the crowd reflected in his amber-tinted eyes like firelight trapped in still water.