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Dehya is too smart to refuse a well-paid commission, even if the job seems as frivolous as collecting a wedding dress. Moreover, Dunyarzad personally requested that she be the one her parents would hire. She’s not above doing a favor to an old friend whom she may have a soft spot for. Of course, she didn’t imagine that the ‘bodyguard’ job also consisted in being Dunyarzad’s shopping assistant. She assumed she simply had to protect her and keep her out of sight, as the wedding had not been announced yet. Surprisingly, she has a good time watching Dunyarzad trying to find the perfect wedding dress. There is something moving about seeing her friend finally live her life to the fullest, getting ready to celebrate the love she is sharing with her mysterious spouse-to-be. Dehya also discovers how lively her friend can be now that Eleazar is no longer here to hinder her every movement anymore. Dehya almost forgets she is on duty and yields to Dunyarzad’s supplication to join her inside the bridal boutique. They end up trying on matching wedding dresses, bursting into laughter when they see their reflections. Dunyarzad finally finds the dress of her dreams, and Dehya’s last task is to collect it at the boutique once the seamstress finishes the needed alterations a few days later. It is the easiest part of the whole mission. At least, that is what she thinks.
Dehya steps outside of the shop, carefully holding the dress in its garment bag. She is so focused on not damaging it that she does not notice a familiar figure storming toward her.
“Hey, watch your step!” she protests.
“You, you...oh, hi Dehya! How are you?”
The man is none other than Kaveh, the architect, more known for his constant bickering with Alhaitham than his achievements. A shame, considering how talented he is.
“Kaveh! I’m doing good, just running some errands for a mission.”
Kaveh looks up at the bridal shop sign and smiles.
“Oh, a mission I see,” he cackles. “Who is your mysterious employer then?”
“It’s none of your business, I signed a non-disclosure agreement.”
“I’m sure you did. Unless you’re bluffing!”
“You got me here,” says Dehya, hiding her amusement.
“If you did not sign it...it means only one thing,” ponders Kaveh.
“That my employer is stupid?”
“That the dress is for YOU,” he exclaims, pointing his finger theatrically at Dehya.
“Of course,” she scoffs.
“So you’re admitting it?”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” she plays along. Why would she bother to argue with him?
“Oh my Archon, Dehya, I’m so happy for you,” he squeals happily while hugging her, too tight for Dehya to be comfortable. “I can’t believe it’s finally official between you and Candace!”, he adds, still squeezing her.
“What?”
“Yeah, we thought you would never ask her, but obviously you did!”
“Who’s we?”
“Do you want a list? Alhaitham, Lumine, Tighnari, Cyno, Collei, Nilou...”
“Enough!”
“...Layla, Dunyarzad, well everyone. They’re going to be thrilled by the news!”
“Please, Kaveh. Don’t say a word. Or I’ll use that pretty claymore of mine to murder you.”
“You should have told me it was a surprise! Don’t worry, even Haitham won’t know,” promises Kaveh with a wink.
Dehya considers strangling him with his cape, but instead she thanks him for his discretion and leaves. Her time is too precious to spend it killing men and Dunyarzad is probably impatiently waiting to see her dress, not that she would ever reprimand Dehya for taking longer than expected.
It does not even take forty-eight hours for her to regret her choice. The Grand Bazaar is always full of life, and therefore of potential employers, even before the sun rises, hence Dehya goes there to find a new source of Mora every time she finishes a contract. That morning, she spots Nilou and the rest of the Zubayr theater company rehearsing. The dancer immediately gets off stage to greet her when she sees Dehya watching.
“Hi! You’re here early, Dehya!”
“Good morning, Nilou! It’s harder to find something once the Bazaar gets crowded.”
“You’re right. Are you looking for something new...or something blue, perhaps?” Nilou asks innocently.
“A new job, yes,” answers Dehya, a bit confused by the underlying question.
“Oh, I’m sorry Dehya, of course, it’s still a secret. You’re safe with me, cross my heart,” she swears before actually making a cross sign over her chest.
Dehya is not sure she wants to understand what Nilou means by that.
“What do you mean?” she still asks, a hundred percent sure she does not want to hear her answer.
“About you and Candace! Congratulations by the way, may the years ahead be filled with love and joy! If you want some kind of performance for the celebration, I would be more than happy to dance for my friends.”
“That’s very kind of you, Nilou. May I ask who let the happy news slip?”
This is a rhetorical question, of course. Dehya’s smile is wide but she’s already strangling Kaveh’s pretty little neck in her head.
“You remember Collei, the Forest Ranger Trainee? She often comes to watch my performances. She was here last night, and we chatted a little afterward; I think she said that Tighnari mentioned your engagement.”
“I see. Thanks, Nilou, I won’t forget the dance offer! Keep this between us until the wedding is official, will you?”
“Pinky promise!”
“Until next time, Nilou,” Dehya says before leaving the Grand Bazaar. She’s got a list of people to torment and Tighnari’s name just got underlined. In red.
It must be Dehya’s lucky day because she finds Tighnari at the end of Treasures Street. “ Good, that saves me a trip to Gandharva Ville. Too bad for the witnesses, though,” she thinks.
Tighnari is deep in conversation with Cyno. She walks to them, and that whole story is starting to really upset her because she doesn’t give a damn about whether she’s interrupting or not.
“Tighnari. General Mahamatra.”
“If it’s about a TGC Duel, I’m afraid you will have to wait,” says Cyno.
“Cyno, this is Dehya,” Tighnari announces.
“Oh, the one marrying the guardian of Aaru Village?” Cyno acknowledges.
“Yeah, about that,” Dehya starts.
“I guess we could say that Candace’s vow to defend Aaru Village stands strong of wed sands and glimmering gold rings, ” Cyno interjects.
“Was that a pun?” Dehya asks, truly astounded.
"What Cyno means is congratulations, Dehya. We both wish you all the best,” Tighnari corrects.
This time, Dehya is close to getting it all out. Dunyarzad’s friendship is precious enough to her that she holds back the truth, but she can’t hide behind a polite smile anymore. She grabs Tighnari by the ears.
“Give me a name. Now;” she threatens.
“Ouch! My ears... My ears... They're going to be crumpled, let me go!” Tighnari complains. Dehya softens her grip but doesn’t let him go nonetheless.
“Who told you about the wedding?”
“Alhaitham told me. Careful now, leave him alone,” Cyno intercedes.
Dehya frees Tighnari. “Thank you,” she says as she leaves, not paying attention to Tighnari’s plaintive cries about his wounded ears that will never be fluffy again.
The path to revenge is surprisingly shorter than what she expected. Alhaitham happens to live on Treasures Street, and it might be sufficiently early for the scribe to be at home rather than in his office at the Akademiya. She heads there, ready to kick down the door. Fortunately, for the door at least, Alhaitham opens it after her first knock.
“Hmmm Dehya, fancy seeing you there. I take it you reconsidered my suggestion to join the Akademiya.”
“Forget it, Acting Grand Sage.”
“What a pity. How can I be of help, then?”
“I’m here for my wedding.”
“Congratulations are in order. However, I don’t see how a mere scholar like me could be of any use in this matter.”
“Drop the feeble scholar act, it doesn’t work on me. I need information.”
“That, I can provide.”
“I know you told Cyno about the wedding. The question is how did you know?” Dehya asks firmly, but not menacingly. Alhaitham has never been the kind of guy to work under pressure, which is even more true outside his working hours.
“Interesting, I had no idea Cyno and you were acquainted,” he simply observes.
“We’re not. Nilou heard it from Tighnari who was with the General Mahamatra and he told me the news was coming from you. So?”
“Well, you’re doing a full investigation. We could really use someone like you at the Akademiya, you know.”
Alhaitham laughs at Dehya’s not-so-amused face. “I obviously got the news from Kaveh.”
“That moron.”
“My roommate may be impetuous, but he was not ill-intentioned. He just happens to spill all his beans after a few drinks at the tavern," explains Alhaitham.
“You’re telling me that this lightweight told the whole tavern about my secret wedding, basically letting the truth out to hear for the entire city?”
“Precisely.”
“I will murder him.”
“I’m afraid I cannot let you do such a thing. Anything else?”
“That will be all. Tell your boyfriend to watch his back, scribe.”
Dehya leaves the house, doing her very best not to scream at the first person passing by. She knows she has no control over the spread of the rumor, and she hates being so powerless. Instead of banging her head against a wall repeatedly until Dunyarzad officializes her betrothal, she accepts the first commission on the message board next to the Adventurers’ Guild. She realizes too late that she must go to Aaru Village to complete it. Flame-Mane is highly regarded for her strength and bravery, but, right now, Dehya is terrified. Her only hope is that news doesn’t travel that fast, so Candace didn’t catch wind of their engagement.
*
These days, Candace can often be found eating Ajilenakh nuts on the outskirts of Aaru Village. Her shield and spear are never far away, but she greets every visitor with the same courtesy. However, she rises to her feet when she distinguishes Dehya’s silhouette on the Land of Lower Setekh; Dehya is no visitor, she’s her dearest friend.
“Welcome back, Dehya.”
Candace hugs her friend. Dehya returns the embrace, but it feels awkward after so many people congratulated her on their alleged wedding. What if Candace knew? The guardian doesn’t say anything related to weddings, though, and Dehya can breathe easier. They chat about the village’s affairs, Dunyarzad’s health, issues within the Akademiya, and more frivolous matters such as their favorite merchants’ new shipments.
“Speaking of trinkets, I must show you something,” Candace suddenly exclaims.
“Another silk headband? Or a new gilded necklace, perhaps?” Dehya teases her, knowing that Candace often leaves the jewelry she buys in her wardrobe, too afraid to damage it.
“Better,” Candace says with a twinkle in her gold and blue eyes.
She rummages through her drawers for some minutes and comes back holding something in her hands.
“Here it is, your something borrowed,” she says as she hands a gold bangle to Dehya.
Dehya puts it on her left arm. She’s so thrilled to add another gold piece to her outfit that it takes her a few seconds to realize what Candace just said.
“Something borrowed?” she asks.
“For our wedding, darling,” Candace retorts with a smile. “When were you planning on proposing?”
Candace is probably the first person to witness Dehya blushing. For once, she’s lost her wits and is too embarrassed to say anything.
“Ah, Dehya...you’re quite adorable when you’re flustered,” Candace giggles.
“You knew this entire time?”
“What can I say, I’m a mastermind,” the Guardian snickers.
“Really funny, Candy. I can explain everything,” Dehya tries.
“No need, I guess it has something to do with one of your secret missions.”
“Exactly. Sorry if it caused you any trouble.”
“It didn’t. Actually...I liked it,” Candace admits. “It’s futile but I always seek to protect the things that are most important, and you’re important to me. I knew there was probably a rational explanation, so I didn’t say anything to keep your secret.”
“Thank you, Candace. I can always rely on you.”
“I am and will always be right by your side, Dehya.”
Dehya hugs her, without any awkwardness this time.
“You really are the best guardian. Full-time defending Aaru Village and part-time keeper of secrets, huh?”
“Right. If you need someone to look after your heart, well...” Candace hesitates. “Not that you need any protection.”
“Candace, what do you mean?”
“Dehya...I know that you’re not one to stick around in the same place and that your sword only follows your heart, but could it take you to Aaru Village more often?”
“It wouldn’t be too complicated now that everyone thinks we’re engaged.”
“Let’s give them something to talk about then,” Candace says as she leans over Dehya to plant a kiss on her lips.
Dehya doesn’t settle for one kiss and, frankly, it’s Candace’s fault for forgetting how greedy mercenaries can get. She doesn’t complain when Dehya grabs her waist to pull her closer and kiss her, over and over. Dehya doesn’t linger long, it’s almost like she’s trying to conquer Candace’s entire body with the touch of her lips on her skin. Candace knows very well nights in the desert are cruel and, King Deshret be damned, Dehya is for sure a child of the desert. When Dehya pulls away, a smile on her lips as she contemplates her mesmerizing partner, Candace finally says something.
“So, where’s my ring?” she smirks, waving her hand to show her naked fingers.
“Shut up,” Dehya laughs.
“Seriously, I thought this was the moment where you get down on your knee,” Candace snickers.
“If you want me to get on my knees that bad, what can I say?” Dehya grins, shutting Candace with a kiss before she can retort anything. Not that she would stop her anyway.