Courage was in short supply. It was seconds before Veleria and Caed had reached their horses that Adrian grew the spine to confront her. Directly outside the stable, Caed noticed him first and gently touched Veleria’s wrist.
“Vel…! Shit, uhm.” He approached with a hand on the back of his neck. Both he and Caed were dressed warmly while Veleria was in that green blouse he last saw her in. Turning towards him, the golden-eyed woman tapped Caed to reassure him before meeting Adrian halfway. She let him talk. “Here, this is for Cromwell.”
Passing the sealed roll of parchment towards her, he watched Veleria curb her curiosity by placing it in her pack. For just a moment he caught a glimpse of the mask. He controlled his reactions by not making any at all.
As always, the Dark Stranger would do as they pleased.
Adrian continued, “look, Vel, I really fucked up. My thoughts were a fuckin’ mess and I hated him, myself, shit I hated Mel for a while too. I’m sorry.” He reached out to her, reconsidered, and closed his eyes painfully until Veleria took his hand and held it against her warm cheek.
“Thank you, Adrian.” She gently let his hand down then held both of his in hers. “I suppose someone would call me foolish, perhaps disrespectful towards myself, but I forgive you. Will you still be here when we come back?”
“I hope so,” Adrian breathed out somewhat ragged. She was beautiful. He could hardly look away from her. “If ever I’m needed back in Almor before you return, then I’ll be sure to send word to Cromwell. I’d say be safe, but…I know you will be.”
Veleria smiled one that threatened to melt the man’s heart. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
“We’ll see each other again. You have my gratitude for taking me this far.”
She released him, turning to leave with Caed while Adrian looked on.