"Hey…"
Taegus gently tugged on Kel's arm, signaling her to stop walking.
After a while, the crunching of the rest of the patrol's steps faded.
"Did the emperor find out that you're.." he broached, fidgeting awkwardly, "you know… not a boy?"
Oh Taegus, Kel cried internally, if only you knew just how deep the emperor's understanding that I'm 'not a boy' has become.
"How could he possibly find out?" she responded cheerfully, trying to push the graphic images of the previous night out of her head.
She turned to continue walking, but immediately felt Taegus's hand on her shoulder.
"Kel." His voice was full of concern. "Be careful. The Dragon Emperor is not an ordinary man."
A sharp twinge in Kel's lower back at that exact moment reminded her painfully of the truth behind Taegus's words.
Placing her hand over the top of his, Kel turned to the boy with what she hoped was an assuring smile.
