Fated to kill you

Warmth

Sath’s tour of Ivory City was nothing like Leah had expected. The towering white buildings gleamed under the sunlight, their pristine surfaces almost blinding. The streets were lined with polished stone, and the people moved with a grace and composure that felt almost unnatural. Their voices were calm, their words overly polite, and their presence exuded a sense of perfection that left Leah feeling entirely out of place.

Even the food was overwhelming. Each dish was crafted like a work of art, and though delicious, it felt foreign to her. She tried to put her feelings into words but failed, the experience leaving her both awed and unsettled.

“Makes you a bit nauseous, doesn’t it?” Sath asked, breaking her thoughts.

Leah nodded quickly. “I feel like I shouldn’t even breathe too loudly,” she admitted.

Sath chuckled softly and leaned closer, whispering, “Come on. I’ll take you somewhere fun.”

Before she could respond, he took her hand and pulled her along. His grip was firm but reassuring as he led her down the pathways. His movements were quick yet fluid, so quiet that Leah couldn’t hear his footsteps. She glanced at him in amazement; it was as though he’d become a shadow, blending into the surroundings seamlessly. Had she not been holding his hand, she was certain she would have lost him.

“We’re here,” Sath whispered with a smile, coming to a stop.

Leah looked around, startled by the sudden change in her surroundings. The immaculate ivory of the city had given way to warm wooden houses and stone buildings. The streets were alive with noise and color. Vendors called out to passersby, children darted between stalls, laughing and shouting, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. Almost everyone had brown hair, and their smiles were easy and genuine.

“What is this place?” Leah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Welcome to the servant quarters of Ivory City,” Sath said with a grin.

Leah’s eyes widened.

“Ivory City is full of nobles from the upper clans” Sath explained. “And nobles need servants—lots of them. This area was built for them to live in. What started as a few houses grew into its own community. Now it has restaurants, schools, and shops. Officially, it’s called Birch Town.” He paused, his smile softening. “I guess I basically grew up here.”

The realization hit Leah like a wave. Suddenly, so much about Sath made sense—his quiet demeanor, his humility, his refusal to flaunt his status. If he had grown up in Birch Town, it explained why he stayed at the dorms instead of returning home and why he didn’t have the luxury cars or opulence that most Ivories flaunted.

Sath guided her to a small restaurant her toward a small restaurant.

The restaurant was cozy, with just four wooden tables. Though the furniture was old, the tables were adorned with small vases of freshly picked flowers. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, his face lighting up when he saw Sath.

“Sath, my boy! You sure haven’t been around in a while,” the man said, his smile wide. “And who might this young lady be?”

“Hi, Will,” Sath greeted warmly. “This is Leah, my friend from school.”

Will’s smile brightened even further. Before Sath could say anything else, he shouted toward the kitchen, “Helennnn, look who’s back!”

An older woman with short, curly brown hair rushed out, her face breaking into a joyful grin. “Sath!” she cried, her voice full of emotion. Before Leah could react, Helen wrapped Sath in a tight hug, squeezing him so hard that he let out a mock gasp.

“Helen, you’re going to kill me,” Sath joked, laughing.

“You’ve been gone too long! I was worried out of my mind!” Helen scolded, her voice wavering between joy and exasperation.

“Helen, I was studying! It’s my last year you know” Sath tried to explain, but Helen wasn’t listening.

Leah watched the exchange, her heart warming at the sight. There was a familial closeness between them that reminded her of her own home in the Shadow Village.

“Helen,” Sath finally managed, “this is Leah, my friend from school.”

Helen turned her attention to Leah, her warm brown eyes softening. Without warning, she pulled Leah into a hug. “Oh my goodness! Sath brought someone here! This is the first time he’s ever brought anyone to Birch Town!”

Leah froze for a moment before relaxing into the hug, overwhelmed by the woman’s warmth.

“Helen works at the Royal Palace,” Sath explained as Helen disappeared into the kitchen to fetch them something. “When she worked I would tag along with her a lot as a kid. She’s..family.”

Leah nodded, her gaze drifting to the small, colorful restaurant. The warmth of the place, the smells, the laughter—it all reminded her so much of home. She felt a lump rise in her throat.

When Helen returned, she placed two large mugs of ginger beer in front of them, smiling brightly. Leah took a sip and sighed contentedly.

“Sath,” Leah said softly, “this place… it feels like home.”

Sath smiled at her, his warm, genuine smile that made her chest tighten. Sharing this part of his life with her was unexpected, but it made her feel closer to him than ever before.

“I thought you needed to see it,” Sath said simply.

And Leah couldn’t agree more. It warmed her heart fully and completely.