Florian Laveaux's Arc

Chapter 6 of 10

Florian woke to BelloSaros standing over him in the dim light before dawn. The prince was already dressed, his crimson cape fastened at his shoulders. Florian sat up quickly, Griffin's tunic shifting against his ribs where he'd kept it all night. BelloSaros gestured toward the door without a word. They walked down the stone stairs together, through the empty main hall, and out into the cold morning air. BelloSaros moved closer in the stable doorway, his hand brushing Florian's shoulder. Florian stepped back. He couldn't do this without telling Griffin first. BelloSaros studied his face, then asked the question directly. Was there someone else? Florian's throat tightened. He nodded. Griffin, he said. Griffin was everything to him. They'd promised to become knights together. BelloSaros didn't pull away or look angry. He just watched Florian for a long moment, then told him to ask Griffin for permission. If Griffin agreed, the prince would wait. If not, BelloSaros would respect it. Florian felt something loosen in his chest. He hadn't expected that. The next morning, BelloSaros and Daveth rode together toward the stables, bringing Florian and Griffin with them. Florian watched Griffin walk beside Daveth's horse, his blue cape catching the wind. When they reached the carved wooden posts at the stable entrance, both knights dismounted and tied their horses. BelloSaros gestured for Florian and Griffin to check the water troughs and hay bales while he and Daveth discussed the day's drills. Florian led Griffin around the side of the building, away from the others. Griffin looked at him with worry already forming in his eyes. Florian reached into his pocket and pulled out the small silver ring Griffin had given him months ago. He held it between them like an anchor. Florian told Griffin everything. About BelloSaros moving closer. About what the prince had asked. About how Florian had said no until Griffin gave permission. Griffin stared at the ring in Florian's palm, his jaw tight. He asked if Florian wanted this. Florian said he didn't know, but he wouldn't hide it. Griffin was silent for a long time. Then he closed Florian's fingers around the ring and said he trusted him. Whatever Florian chose, they were still promised to each other. They would still become knights together. Nothing would change that. Florian felt the ring press into his palm. He understood now that trust wasn't about holding someone close—it was about letting them choose and knowing they'd come back. Griffin had given him that, and Florian would carry it with him no matter what happened with BelloSaros.