Page 112 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

“Blackjack?” I asked.

“You’re on.”

Chapter 38

Adrian

Iwasn’t sure how long I was banished outside. Being teleported felt… wrong, like all the cells in my body briefly scattered and then recompiled somewhere else. Though I couldn’t blame her.

I’d been a fucking idiot.

I should have told her the truth a long time ago. Part of me just wanted both things. If I could help Sage and complete my mission, I could learn what happened to Tungesten, and maybe even Coltar.

After banging on the door for far too long, without a soul planning to answer, I cut my losses and rested on the swinging bench on the porch. My tail wound in front of me, rocking me slightly back and forth.

I took the pocket watch from my shirt, and noticed something fell with it. When I removed it, I noticed it was the flower Sage had picked up on our way here. She handed it to me, telling me what it was called, though I didn’t remember now. I’d been so focused on her I didn’t actually retain it. But it had slightly pointed blue petals and a red center.

I stared at it, twirling the stem between my fingers, watching the plant spin. It was a bit flat, being pressed to my skin, but no less beautiful.

Would Sage believe me? I had to hope so. I couldn’t lose her. Nothing in my life had felt this… real. This sure. She’d been funny, and bratty, and earnest. Bringing colors to my life I didn’t even know were possible.

Was I in love? Could someone fall this hard this fast? I wasn’t sure, but it felt true when I swirled the idea around in my brain. Taking a moment to think about it, I could live the rest of my life without the answer I wanted.

But I couldn’t live without her.

The sun was halfway down the sky by now. Would I be locked out here all night? The porch was at least covered, and I’d slept in much worse places, but I wouldn’t leave without her.

Just as I began thinking about the best way to coil myself comfortably to rest, the door latch released and I was up in a moment.

Sage was there, looking beautiful as ever, but her face turned angry as soon as she saw me.

Maralda stood behind her. “Who knew a princess could be so good at cards?” she asked.

Sage blushed, smiling when she looked back at her. “My sister taught me. Made me practice with her so that she could beat the other guys in training.”

“Well, you’re welcome to come back and play anytime,” Maralda said, before looking at me. “And you can bring this one too, as long as he grovels.”

Sage blushed, but didn’t add to the conversation.

Then Maralda shut the door, leaving us alone on the porch. Nature buzzed around us. Birds chirped and the wind blew through the trees, yet we stood stagnant.

“Sage, I’m⁠—”

“I know you’re sorry,” she said. “And I know you didn’t mean to deceive me. But you did. And it’s… just going to take me a moment to be ready to hear you out.”

I swallowed. It wasn’t the response I wanted, but it wasn’t a complete rejection. “I can offer you that.”

“We should go back before it gets dark,” she said.

“We should.” I began leading the way.

At this rate, I was sure we wouldn’t reach port by nightfall, but I felt determined to try. Maybe we’d be stuck camping together, which obviously wasn’t ideal, but could maybe give us an opportunity to talk.

At least I thought. Once we left the cabin and reached back to the road sign, it felt like we only had to go a couple hundred feet before we were spit back out into the south entrance of town.

Tricky mage indeed.

“I’m going to the pub,” she said.