Kirin noticed my hesitancy and asked, "Is it true what you said during dinner, about you and the Second Lieutenant? Are you unattached?"
I squeeled like a teenage girl inside my head, but tried to keep a straight face. Did Kirin just ask me if I'm single? Oh my God, Oh my God! I replied, "Yes, it's true. We are just friends, nothing more. I am unattached. He's not really my type."
"What is your type?" Kirin asked in his deep raspy voice. I could see his cheeks blush slightly as his smoky grey eyes smouldered.
"I like someone with smouldering grey eyes and dark hair, with a deep voice. Someone who works with his hands and has a great family." I hinted as I looked deep into his eyes. I had a sudden burst of confidence, but it quickly faded.
Kirin leaned in closer and cleared his throat, "Someone standing in front of you?"
I blushed and looked away as I nodded.
Kirin chuckled and responded with a smirk, "Good thing, you are also my type. Someone beautiful, intelligent, and interesting. Alisa, I would be honored if you would allow me to court you." He leaned closer and took my hand as he bowed to kiss the back of my gloved hand.
I nodded and tried to contain my excitement, "Yes, that would be lovely." I agreed.
Kirin looked up with his foxy grey eyes and chuckled when he noticed the wide, goofy smile on my face. "I will make it official tomorrow with Clan Leader Al and announce my intentions. Good night, Alisa."
I smiled and wished him good night as I hurried inside. The cold was finally getting too much for me to stay outside. As soon as I was inside, I did a happy dance! Luckily, no one saw me, or so I thought.
Kirin smiled to himself as he walked back home. He was happy that the girl he liked also liked him back. He felt a weight lift off his chest. It was nice to have his feelings reciprocated. He was so happy and thinking about Alisa's cute smile, that he didn't notice someone with silver hair walking briskly towards him.
Zed walked up to Kirin and stopped him by grabbing his shoulder. He roughly asked, "What are you doing out this late?" He had been on patrol around the town, and there were not many people out this late at night.
Kirin was shocked out of his thoughts abruptly and replied, "I walked my betrothed home after a dinner at my house." He smiled as he said betrothed. Alisa was soon to be his wife!
Zed's eyes narrowed when this young man said his betrothed. He had seen him walking with Alisa earlier, but was too far away to stop them. He saw red at the idea of Alisa marrying someone other than him. He had saved her and wanted to pursue her once he was established here.
He wouldn't allow someone else to steal her away from him. He briefly debated killing this young man and disposing of the body. He could say it was an animal attack, or an accident. The idea flashed in his mind before he heard someone else behind him.
"Kirin, there you are. Your mother sent me to look for you when you took a while to return. Is everything ok?" Riktor looked between Zed and his older son. He could sense the killing intention in the air and knew that this man was dangerous.
He tried to diffuse the situation and introduced himself, "Hello, my name is Riktor, the blacksmith. I believe that you are the new Second Lieutenant from Shibatsu. We also came over from Shibatsu. My younger son is Tobin."
Zed's eyes cleared, and the murderous thoughts vanished almost instantly. One murder would be easy to cover up, but this man was more connected to the town. It would be too suspicious if they both died at the same time.
He gave Riktor a warrior's salute and introduced himself, "Hail and well met, I am Second Lieutenant Zed. I was patrolling the town and stopped your older son to question him, but you should go home. It is dangerous at night."
Riktor looked on edge at the double meaning in Zed's words, but smiled. "Thank you for your service. We will be heading home now."
Kirin stayed silent as he looked between Zed and his father. He could tell that his father was diffusing the situation. He knew that this man was dangerous and also had feelings for Alisa, but she did not return Zed's feelings. She had told Kirin directly that she liked him. He smirked as he walked past Zed.
Zed stared at his retreating figure until he was home. He would need to make his intentions clear to Alisa tomorrow. He didn't want to lose her by waiting to tell her about his feelings. They had grown closer during their trip, and he felt a closeness to her that he had never felt before. He wanted a chance to explore those feelings further.
He walked back to the barracks as he planned his day tomorrow. He could ask for a break in the morning to go talk to Alisa. He had to do it sooner rather than later. She never would have accepted being courted by that young man if she knew how I felt about her. I saved her; she owes me! He thought to himself on the way back as he planned the next day.
He would need to wake up early and talk to Captain Blaise. He would explain the direness of the situation and hope that Blaise would be lenient. He seemed to be an understanding Captain. He was once in a similar situation with Abby, from what he heard from the other warriors.
Zed went back to his quarters, took a quick bath, and went to bed. He had a full day ahead of him and wanted to be well rested. He had to convince Alisa that he was the better choice. He had a better job and had known her longer. She had to say yes!