Chapter 881: A small talk [2]

Yuliya stood up from the couch "Why are you in a hurry? Stay for a bit... I will make something for you to drink."

Zhao Tian gave her the blankest stare he'd worn all day.

-_-

Yuliya ignored it entirely. She was already moving as she headed toward the archway at the far end of the hall.

"Come on," she called over her shoulder without looking back. "You can watch if you're worried I'll poison you. Or maybe you just like the view."

Zhao Tian exhaled softly, but he followed.

The kitchen opened off the main hall, and a single viewport ran along the back wall, giving a panoramic view of drifting moon debris and the slow turn of stars.

Yuliya rolled up the loose sleeves of her robe to her elbows, revealing the faint pink scars from their duel already fading to nothing, and began moving around the kitchen.

Zhao Tian leaned back against the doorway frame, watching her in silence.

She pulled a small kettle from a lower cabinet and filled it with water from a spout that hissed faintly with steam.

Next she took a lacquered wooden box; she flipped the lid to reveal neatly arranged compartments of dried leaves, roots, petals, and what looked like tiny glowing crimson berries.

"Valtoria family blend," she explained without turning around, already scooping a measured pinch of dark green leaves and a single glowing berry into a silver infuser.

"Fire-root tea with starbloom petals. Calms the mind and sharpens the senses."

Placing the kettle onto an induction plate, she waved a hand, and a tiny thread of crimson flame leaped from her fingertip and wrapped around the base, heating the water.

Yuliya

turned back to look at him and spoke "See? No poison."

The kettle began to whistle, and she killed the flame with a flick of her fingers, lifted the infuser from the water, and let the deep amber liquid pour into the glasses.

She carried both glasses over, offering one to him handle-first.

Zhao Tian accepted it without comment.

Yuliya leaned her hip against the counter opposite him, cradling her own glass in both hands, her red eyes watching him over the rim as she took a slow sip.

For a few moments they drank the tea in silence.

Looking up at him, she spoke "You don't have to run off the second the fight ends, you know. I'm not going to chain you to the couch… unless you ask nicely."

Zhao Tian took a sip of his own "I have people waiting."

Yuliya smiled faintly "I know. The dragon. The elves. Your little court of admirers."

She tilted her head "But you're here now. Humor me for five more minutes."

Taking another sip, he muttered "You look really different from the time when I was fighting you."

Yuliya blinked and was genuinely surprised, then threw her head back and laughed "Haha, it's just I was excited to fight you."

She waved her hand dismissively, "Adrenaline, bloodlust... it brings out the dramatic side. We should duel sometime again."

"No."

Yuliya's mouth dropped open in exaggerated shock "Ehhh. Why not? It was fun."

He just shook his head helplessly and lifted the glass again, taking another sip as though the conversation were already over.

Yuliya pouted, her full lips pushing out in a theatrical sulk that looked almost ridiculous on someone who had, minutes earlier, been trying to 'kill' him.

"You're no fun," she muttered, crossing her arms under her chest.

"I finally found the Honoured One who I am destined to duel with every day, and he turns me down flat. Rude."

Zhao Tian swallowed, then set the glass back on the counter.

"You nearly died once."

"Two times," she corrected cheerfully, holding up two fingers.

"But who's counting? And I healed, didn't I? Look... good as new."

She spun once on her heel, then struck a mock fighting pose with both fists raised. "See? Ready for round two."

He gave her the same blank, unimpressed stare he'd worn earlier and chuckled faintly.

She dropped the pose with a dramatic sigh and leaned her hip against the counter beside him again, brushing her shoulder against him

"Fine. No duel today." Her tone softened, though the playfulness never fully left her eyes.

They continued drinking the tea in companionable silence after that.

A few minutes later, Yuliya took out a small disc and spoke "Here, keep this. With this you can call me if you wish to duel me someday or if you need my help."

Zhao Tian glanced at the device and took it in his palm "It doesn't have a tracker on it, right?"

She immediately sulked her lips. "Oh, come on, I am not a stalker."

He gave her a look, and she coughed into her palm "I mean, I kinda stalked in the... Elven planet, but trust me, this device doesn't have any tracker or anything."

"You activate it, I get the ping, and I come running."

Zhao Tian looked at the device for a moment and stored in his ring "I will keep that in mind."

"Good."

He straightened from the counter, setting his empty glass beside hers.

"I should go."

She didn't try to stop him this time and nodded, pushing off the counter to walk him toward the main hall.

At the hatch she paused and turned to look at him "What's your name?"

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on his lips "Zhao Tian."

Her gaze softened, and she murmured under her lips "...Zhao Tian. What's your real Maverick name?"

"Vester Maverick."

She nodded her head "Mhmm... Vester. Alright, see you later."

The hatch irised open behind him.

Outside, Lirien waited with her mane glowing softly against the black.

Her golden eyes flicked from her lord to the woman standing in the doorway, then back again.

Zhao Tian glanced at her over his shoulder "You are not in a hurry, right?"

Hm? She blinked in surprise and shook her head "No."

With a nod, he replied "Alright then, stay within the orbit... I will come and meet you later."

Yuliya smiled upon hearing this "Okay."

Zhao Tian stepped out into open space.

Yuliya leaned against the frame with her arms crossed, watching him go.

Then space folded around him in a silent blink and he vanished.

She watched the spot where he'd been for a long moment.

Then she laughed softly to herself, shook her head, and stepped back inside.

The hatch sealed with a quiet hiss.

Outside, Lirien turned in a slow, graceful arc.

And carried her lord back toward the glowing barrier of the Elven Star.