Much later that day, as the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Katherine emerged from her chambers and clapped her hands together.

"Alright, Ravens Grave!" she called out. "Tonight, we'll be having a good drink"

Several members looked up in surprise.

"Captain, are you serious?" Piers asked. "If I remember correctly, we have a war to fight tomorrow."

"Exactly," Katherine said firmly. "Which is why tonight, we sit back, relax, and try not to worry about tomorrow. Bernard, get the food ready. And no," she added quickly, seeing Elena about to speak, "no hard booze tonight. Just wine. I want everyone clearheaded in the morning."

Bernard nodded and headed to the kitchen. Slowly, the guild members began gathering in the main room.

The atmosphere still felt heavy, but Katherine's determination to have everyone feel relaxed was infectious.

By the time the food was laid out, most of the guild had settled around the tables. Roasted meats, fresh bread, vegetables, and pitchers of wine filled the space between them.

For a while, they ate in relative silence. Then Piers cleared his throat.

"So," he said, grinning slightly. "Who wants to bet Bernard trips over his own feet during the battle tomorrow?"

Bernard looked up, affronted. "I'll have you know I've been training!"

"Training to fall on your face more gracefully?" Rick added with a smirk.

A few people chuckled, and the tension was starting to ease slightly.

"Remember when Bernard tried to impress that girl from Storm Sentinels?" Sorkin said. "He flexed so hard he pulled a muscle and couldn't move for two days."

"That's not what happened!" Bernard protested, but he was grinning now.

"It's exactly what happened," Elena said, her usual serious expression softening with amusement. "I had to heal you. You couldn't even lift your arms."

Laughter rippled through the room. Even Kayden, sitting at the edge, cracked a small smile.

"What about that time Piers got drunk and challenged the Captain to a duel?" Fred piped up.

Katherine laughed. "Oh gods, yes. He could barely even form a proper stance, waving that wooden sword around like he was a legendary warrior."

"I was confident in my abilities!" Piers defended himself.

"You fell asleep mid-swing," Katherine said, shaking her head. "Just collapsed right into my delights" she gestured at her bosoms.

There was more laughter, and rhe mood continued to lighten as stories and jokes were traded.

For a brief moment, it felt like any other night at Ravens Grave.

Aiden sat beside Laela, listening more than participating. She leaned against him slightly, with one her arms crossed over his.

At some point, Arianna who couldn't handle the sight anymore, stood from her seat across from them and walked into the corridor leading upstairs with her cup in hand.

Laela may not have noticed the strangeness, but Aiden had a perfect idea of what was happening. He was fairly certain Arianna did not appreciate the sight of he and laela being that way.

But he pushed the thought away and took a long drink of wine.

One girl problem at a time

….

At some point, the day cane to a close, and one by one, guild members retreated to their rooms. The main room emptied until only the dying embers in the fireplace remained.

Aiden stood alone at the balcony, staring out into the blank night. He was playing out the scenes of tomorrow in his head.

Footsteps sounded softly behind him.

"You haven't gone to bed yet?" Arianna's voice came quietly.

Aiden glanced back. She stood in the doorway, wrapped in a light shawl.

"No," he replied simply.

She stepped out onto the balcony, coming to stand beside him at the railing. For a moment, neither spoke.

"I know things got weird between us," Arianna said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because of what happened at my house."

Aiden said nothing.

"I don't regret it," she continued. "Kissing you. I just… I needed you to know that." She turned to look at him. "And I need you to know that I'm here. If you want me. In whatever way you want me."

Arianna didn't know how to deal with all her feelings this night. The only reason she hadn't slept yet even though she had gone back upstairs before everyone, was because she had been thinking so much about Aiden.

So for lack of knowing how to deal with these feelings, she couldn't but just express it out to him in that manner, even if it came off as throwing herself at him.

A good part of her, somehow hoped that maybe Aiden would outrightly reject her and then she would feel hurt and would fixate on that feeling of hurt, instead of this feeling of love.

That way it would help her begin the process of getting over him, instead of holding on to a feeling that may never be requited.

Aiden felt something tighten in his chest. He should tell her. He should explain that he didn't feel the same way, not in the way she wanted.

That his heart belonged to Laela.

But the words wouldn't come.

Because somewhere deep inside, that dragon instinct that was undeniably a part of him, grew stronger each day.

A dragon loved all his treasures. Some more than others, perhaps, but all nonetheless.

The dragon curse. It was taking greater hold on him now, making it harder to deny the pull he felt toward her.

It wasn't love, no. It felt like a right of Possession. A Desire. A Want.

Arianna stepped closer, her eyes searching his face. She was giving him one more chance to stop her, to pull away.

But he didn't.

She leaned up, and Aiden met her halfway. Then their lips connected, and for a moment, there was only that affectionate kiss and the warmth of her against him.

Then he heard the soft gasp.

Aiden's eyes snapped open. He pulled away from Arianna sharply and turned.

Laela stood in the balcony doorway, her hand covering her mouth. Her eyes were wide and glistening with tears.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then Laela's face crumpled, and she turned, rushing back into the guild.

"Laela, wait!" Aiden called out, starting after her.

But she was already gone, disappearing into the corridor.

Aiden stood frozen, with his hand still outstretched.

Arianna had turned away, her own hand pressed to her lips, looking horrified.

The night had suddenly felt much colder.

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