They narrowed down the bards to the three who would compete against Lore in the semi-finals. The MC called everyone to come and sit down at the tables so they could appreciate the final songs that these four locally famous bards would perform. Because Lore had auto received his spot, he had to go first.

When he walked on stage, his body sparkled with charisma, as if being around his fans earlier had charged him up. When he sat, it was as if the whole world should look at only him.

Then he grabbed his instrument from seemingly nowhere and began to play a happy romantic song while the musicians in the background accompanied him. He grinned playfully as his eyes traveled over the audience and met mine. When they moved away from me his smile froze.

He stopped playing. His hands shook and his breathing became ragged.

I may not always be the best with social cues, and I was definitely a shit actor, but I understood fear. And Lore was terrified. And judging from his eyes, it was of someone near me.

I turned to see that pink woman. She had this smirk on her face that made me want to stab her; like she was a serial killer on one of those police procedural shows. I didn’t know what she’d done to Lore but I didn’t need to.

I stood up, catching a few side-eyes from the people around me, and then I ran towards the stage, ignoring the glares that burrowed into my back. A few people even moved as if to halt me but I swiftly stepped around them. When I reached Lore, I stopped.

In front of everyone, I very, very, loosely hugged his head to my chest so he could no longer see the bitch, but could escape if he wanted and waited. I caressed his back in soothing motions.

In a soft voice, I asked, “What do you need? What can I do for you?”

Slowly, his arms wrapped around my waist and he hugged me tightly.

After that, it took him a several minutes before he let go then nudged my shoulder away. I released him from the hug. His completely red face refused to look at me. Instead, he stood, chin up, back straight, and practically vibrating with that “I’m getting the fuck out of here” energy.

With unfocused eyes, he stiffly bowed to the crowd, then the bonded couple and judges.

“Thank you for allowing me to have this chance but I’m afraid I was unable to perform due to personal reasons. I’ll bow out and take my leave for the evening.”

The couple glanced at me before turning back to Lore. “We understand.”

Lore, not glancing in my direction, left the stage and walked towards the exit without his usual graceful movements. I glared at the pink bitch in warning then followed.

Fortunately, she didn’t trail after us but I doubted that this was the last we’d see of her.

By the time Lore made it out of the ballroom doors I’d caught up to him. We walked for a while towards the carriage rental area, and since we were alone I noticed that his breathing was still shallow. He's needed more time but he'd pushed himself to leave. I didn’t say anything and neither did he, as if we were in a pool of half comfortable and half uncomfortable silence. We rented the carriage, stuffed ourselves inside it, and traveled back toward the city. When we saw the walls of Gray Skies Fall on the Weary I finally got up the courage to ask, “So… you want to talk about her?”

His lips tightened and I wasn’t sure if he would answer at all.

“Do you want to talk about your issues with fire?”

The mere thought of it had a cold sweat drenching my robes. “Touché.”