An Enemy Approaches (Finale) (Page 54)

Ciri hasn't let me go yet. It's been a few minutes already. The sooner we get out of here, the better.

"I need you to let me go. We should get back to Jaskier's."

After I say that, she kisses the top of my head. She lets me go, and I stand up. I look over and see that Lillian has packed up her clothes and some of her husbands.

Ciri grabs my hand in an attempt to comfort me. I appreciate her trying. She's staring at the side of my head as I don't look at her. The longer I don't, the tighter her grip gets. She's about to say something, but I cut her off.

"Let's get moving. We've already spent a lot of time."

After I cut her off, she digs her nails into my hand to let me know she's unhappy.

~~~(POV Ciri)~~~

Damn it, Cera... Don't close me off like this in a time when you need me... The look I seen on his face, the joy that was in his eyes. I don't know that, Cera, and that scares me.

He was always telling me that he would never take pleasure in killing when we were kids. I can see that has changed... Whatever happened in the decade we were apart messed with his mind.

I want to stop him and demand explanations, but he's right. We don't have time. We make our way to Jaskier's, and we're greeted by the bard with a happy face baring good news.

He's sitting at the table as he notices the new lady walking in with us. He says something that ticks me off.

"My... Cera... I didn't know you were into polygamy. I guess you learn something every day, don't you!!"

He says it while laughing in a jovial manner. A familiar rage starts boiling in me. Cera gives him an exasperated look. He's also getting sick of Jaskier's bad taste in-jokes.

Cera directs Lillian to a room, and as she's getting unpacked, we both sit down at the table to talk.

"Jaskier, I'm getting tired of your jokes. If I hear another one that is related to Cera or me, I'll hurt you. So do you have any news for us?"

Jaskier brushes off my warning as if it's nothing. He'll learn that it really isn't nothing with that attitude. He goes over to his desk and pulls out instructions in an envelope.

Hopefully, we don't have that much to do to get my item fixed.

He hands the letter over to us. And I read the letter over Cera's shoulder. Talk about an outrageous request. This Whoreson Junior wants us to perform a heist and steal the treasure of a man named Sigi Reuven.

"Are you serious, Jaskier? We can do a lot, but stealing such a large amount would be incredibly difficult. We can't use teleportation because the wild hunt will find us."

I give Jaskier a frustrated look and raise my eyebrows, waiting for a response.

"Well, Jaskier, do you have a plan?"

He's just staying silent with a calm face.

He gives a ballsy answer with such a straight face.

"I was planning on letting you deal with that. I was going to use this as an opportunity to write my next great ballad. It'll surely catch eyes with Cera's involvement."

I'm shaking in silent rage at his half-ass response. So typical of Jaskier to drop this on us. I guess we have a lot on our plate now. Cera releases a deep sigh.

I look at the paper again, and there are no other instructions for the heist.

"Is there a time frame? How soon must we get this done?"

Jaskier takes the paper and also notices the problem. My god, this man will be the death of us if we trust him to handle anything else.

Cera gets up from the table and gets us some food. I'll admit, I'm very hungry. I haven't eaten since this morning. As soon as the food is in front of me, I dig in and leave the talking to the two of them.

"We have to meet with Francis in two days to handle some other work we're doing. You have that amount of time to come up with a plan, Jaskier. Dividing up the responsibilities will help us."

I'm already halfway done with my food as they talk more. I'm not acting like a proper lady at the moment, but I don't care. I've been extra hungry as of late. I found out why a little bit ago.

Jaskier nods and goes to his desk with his food, and starts working. I hear light footsteps, and Lillian finally joins us.

"You hungry, Lily?"

I ask her with a mouth full of food. I finish chewing and swallow my food. Lillian comes up to the table and grabs a plate.

She's very young, and she's already married. She must have had a good reason too.

"Thanks for saving me... I don't want to think about what could've happened to me..."

Cera looks down as he's barely touch his food. I watch him intently for a sign to do something. Suddenly, he gets up and heads straight upstairs. Lillian looks upset at the way Cera is acting. He's being reclusive and avoiding talks with me. Soon, I hear the door close upstairs, and I look at Lillian.

"I'm sorry about him. He's having a hard time right now."

She nods her head in understanding. I can see her staring at my ring, and I can see she wants to ask about it.

"It's the ring Cera got me. We're to be wed soon... I was hoping that we could talk to someone about a wedding here, but we don't have time anymore..."

I suddenly see her eyes light up. I don't know why she would react that way.

She looks at the clock as if expecting someone. She told me her husband usually gets home around this time. He should see the bodies and note soon and be on his way here.

"My husband can actually perform weddings!! If you'd like, we can repay you guys in a wedding when you're ready?"

I'm at a loss for words. If we get my dress tomorrow, we can get wed right after that. As if on cue, the door swings open, and it's a man covered in sweat. This must be Alexander, and he's going to be the one to marry Cera and me

~~~(POV Cera)~~~

I'm in my nightwear and getting ready to relax for the rest of the day. The sun is setting, and there isn't much to do till tomorrow. We have to get clothes for the party. I guess that means we're heading back to Wickerson's for another order. Suddenly, I hear someone rushing up the stairs, and the door swings open to reveal a happy Ciri.

"I just got the best news!!"

I wonder what could get her so excited like this. I look at her expecting to continue.

"Alexander can marry us as soon as tomorrow! He's licensed to marry people!! It'll be official, and no one will be able to dispute it!!! Can we pick up my dress tomorrow!?"

Woah, she's going a hundred miles a minute here. I'll admit that it's surprising Alexander can do this for us. Thinking about it, I don't see a reason not to. We have everything we need to perform it.

I get over my shock and prepare my answer. I know she'll love it too. "I guess we're getting married then!!" I can't stop my own excitement. She looks at me with wet eyes and captures my lips in a soft and calm kiss. It relaxes us and brings clarity to both of us.

"We should get up early to pick up your dress. Sound good to you?"

I ask her, and she just hugs me tightly and never brings her head out from my neck.

She leans her head up as we're face to face.

"That sounds perfect!"

She kisses me again, and I notice the sun has finally set. All this is something others would think crazy, but we're not like everyone else. We have always been this way, acting in defiance of what others want from us. Now we get to do it together for the rest of our lives.