Damien snorted. “I guess you’re right.”
“Allies,” I whispered to myself, not quite able to hide the disappointment in my voice, which confused me. Was that all this was? Nothing more than a strategic alliance? His earlier actions and the kiss suggested something more, or perhaps I just read too much into it. Having Damien as an ally should be exactly what I wanted. I mean, technically I wanted to kill the bastard, so why the hell did I feel bereft?
The cobblestone streetsthrummed with excitement, and banners of vibrant blue and silver fluttered high above as the town prepared for a grand parade. The Nightwing army's valiant return was a much-anticipated event, celebrating their recent victories at the border. Amidst the sea of townsfolk, I was swept along by the unmistakable buzz of joy and relief at the safe return of loved ones. Maeve and I threaded through the crowd, her hand on my elbow guiding me to a spot where we could get a good view of the soldiers as they marched through the town square.
As the sound of trumpets and the rhythmic beating of drums grew closer, my heart raced—not from excitement, but nervousness. I was supposed to be Arya, welcoming her hero brother Jacob back from war. The problem was, I had never met Jacob and picking him out of a procession of uniformed soldiers seemed on par with finding a needle in a haystack.
“Remember, my lady,” Maeve whispered, leaning close so only I could hear, “Jacob will be riding near the front, just behind the banner bearers. He has dark hair, much like yours, and he’ll likely be one of the few not wearing a helmet.”
I nodded and tried to commit her details to memory while scanning the approaching soldiers. As the first rows of the army passed by, each face seemed the same as the last—proud, tired, and covered in traveling dust.
“There!” Maeve suddenly pointed. “There he is, my lady!”
I followed her finger and saw a young man with strikingly familiar features—dark hair and a strong jaw, definitively resembling the portraits of Arya’s family I had seen around the Ryder residence. He was indeed helmetless, his hair tousled from the march, his eyes eagerly scanning the crowd.
I hesitated as a wave of impostor syndrome washed over me. Although I guess it wasn’t a syndrome since I wasliterallyan impostor. How was I supposed to greet him? What if he realized I wasn’t Arya?
As if sensing my rising panic, Maeve gave my elbow a reassuring squeeze. “Just wave, my lady. He will come to you.”
Mustering a smile, I raised my hand and waved. Jacob’s gaze swept over the crowd, and for a heart-stopping moment, I worried he wouldn’t see me. But then, his eyes locked onto mine and a broad, relieved smile spread across his face. He waved back, a gesture filled with warmth and excitement.
Relief washed over me as he continued past, his attention briefly on his fellow soldiers before promising with a shout, “I’ll find you after!”
I exhaled, grateful for the reprieve. Maeve chuckled softly beside me. “Very well done, my lady. Now, let’s find a good place to wait for him. He will have much to tell you.”
As we pushed out of the crowd to wait for Jacob, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. I was deceiving everyone, playing a role that wasn’t mine. But seeing the happiness in Jacob’s eyes at the sight of who he thought was his sister reminded me why I was doing this. For now, I had to keep up the act. For Arya, for her family, and maybe even a bit for myself.
Maeve and I found a quieter spot near a small fountain just off the main square, away from the bulk of the crowd yet still within view of the parade route. It was a strategic location to wait for Jacob, providing a calm oasis amidst the celebratory chaos surrounding us.
As we settled onto a worn stone bench, Maeve kept an eye on the lingering crowd, presumably to catch the first glimpse of Jacob making his way toward us. Her dedication and alertness made me feel a little more at ease, although the anxiety of continuing the deception nagged at me.
“My lady?” Maeve suddenly turned to me, her expression a mixture of concern and excitement. “When Jacob talks to you, just remember the stories he’s fond of. He loves talking about his training days, and he absolutely adores his horse, Midnight. If you mention that, he’ll warm right up to you.”
I nodded and tried to commit her tips to memory. “Thanks, Maeve. I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The crowd gradually dispersed as the formal part of the parade concluded, and families began to reunite with their returning soldiers. My heart pounded with nervous anticipation. The reality of meeting Jacob face-to-face as Arya was daunting. How long could I keep up this charade? Would he notice something off in my demeanor or speech?
My thoughts were interrupted by Maeve’s gentle nudge. “There he is, coming this way!” she whispered excitedly.
Holy shit… I was suddenly in need of a chamber pot. Damn nerves.
I looked up to see Jacob excusing himself from a group of soldiers and heading toward us. His stride was confident, yet there was a tenderness in his eyes that made him approachable. As he got closer, I stood and instinctively smoothed the front of my dress.
“Arya!” Jacob called out, a broad smile spreading across his face. He quickened his pace and enveloped me in a warm, heartfelt hug. The embrace was so genuine and filled with relief that for a moment, I forgot I wasn’t really his sister. “It’s so good to see you!” He stepped back to look at me. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed home.”
I smiled, fighting a twinge of guilt for the deception. “I’m glad you’re back safe,” I managed to say, hoping my voice didn’t betray my inner turmoil.
Jacob’s gaze lingered on me, filled with affection and perhaps a flicker of confusion. “You seem different, Arya. More... mature, somehow.”
I laughed nervously and glanced at Maeve for support. I forgot Arya wasn’t the affectionate type. “Well, a lot can happen in a few years, right?”
“Indeed,” he agreed, still studying me with a puzzled expression. “Well, I’ve brought stories and a small gift for you and Gianna from the border towns. Can’t wait to share them with you both. Where is Gianna, by the way?”
“Oh…” I glanced around, making eye contact with Maeve for assistance. After my little encounter with Gianna this morning, I hadn’t seen her. And I didn’t mention our run-in to Maeve because I didn’t want to tell her Damien had spent the night in my room. It was all very complicated. “I think she’s around here somewhere…”
“Are you still fighting with our sister?” Jacob smirked, giving me a knowing look.
“What? No!” I scoffed, brushing him off.
