Baro sat with his elbows on the table, The butler stood nearby like a statue, towel in hand, as if waiting for permission to breathe.
"So," Baro asked, "how'd you end up Exalted? Must be nice seeing the world from way up there."
Liora didn't even blink. "I was born one. Normal people don't become Exalted. No one's ascended in, what, a few hundred years?"
He blinked back. "No trials? No mystical staircase? Nothing?"
Liora tilted her head, puzzled like she'd just realized the sacred boy sitting in front of her might've been raised in a ditch. "I fly. Sacred ones make sacrifices, the faith goes to the Goddesses, and we—Exalted—carry out their will. That's how it works."
Baro raised a brow. "Sounds exhausting. I wouldn't want some goddess giving me chores."
That got a sigh out of her. She pressed her finger to her forehead like she was fending off a headache. "How did you even get to Sacred? Most people would kill to hear a whisper from their Goddess."
Baro smiled lazily and pointed at Furfur, who was curled under the table like a sleepy royal. "Him. Blessed meat sells good. Blessings stack. Next thing I know, stairs show up and I climb."
"The pup?" Liora's eyes narrowed with interest. "Can I touch him?"
Baro grinned. "Pet away. He won't bite unless you call him cute."
She crouched, brushed her hand over Furfur's fur—and froze. It hit her like a silent thunderstorm. Not just a blessing. A wellspring. Endless. Pure. Her chest rose slowly, eyes glazed. "This... this is—"
"I know, right?" Baro said, popping a grape in his mouth. "That silky black coat? Those fluffy brows? He's irresistible."
he then said, his voice quieter. "You said you can fly... why can't you just carry me up?"
Liora shook herself out of the trance. "Well..."
Baro's grin widened. "See? Now we're talking. Let's do it. Piggyback to Exalted, let's go."
"..."
She stared at him like he'd just barked at the moon. "I can't. Even if I wanted to watch the world burn and maybe get Father's attention for once... I don't have the strength to carry someone up."
Baro leaned back, motioned at Furfur's puppy eyes. "You sure? Not even for him?"
"I—I told you already!!"
Liora's fingers still lingered in Furfur's fur, her brows twitching as something clicked behind her eyes.
"This... might work actually," she murmured, not looking at Baro.
He tilted his head. "Might work? What, carrying me?"
She stood slowly, dusting her skirt like it had anything on it. "With his blessing... I could probably take you up. Just once."
Baro lit up like someone handed him a second birthday. "Really? Damn, you're full of surprises."
Then he turned, glancing at the butler who was still silently holding the towel like it was the last shred of his dignity. Baro's voice dropped with something dangerously close to sentiment. "Can you bring him too? He's grown on me."
Liora stared at him. "You want me to carry two men like I'm hauling sacks of grain?"
"Barrels," Baro offered, chuckling. "One in each hand. That's a visual."
She gave him a flat stare.
He held up a hand. "Okay, okay. What about two trips?"
"Shut up," she snapped, eyes narrowing. "You think I want to fly back and forth listening to you barking requests like some spoiled prince?"
Baro just grinned. "Knew you liked me."
Moments later, they were off.
Liora's arms wrapped around Baro's waist, his body light as a whisper thanks to Furfur's blessing. The moment they took off, Furfur, curled around Baro's neck like a scarf, barked once and started licking his face like they were headed to heaven.
Baro laughed, wiping at his cheek with a sleeve. "He's excited."
"Hold still," Liora muttered, the air around them trembling.
Then she moved.
The sky bent. Clouds peeled back like curtains, scattered by the divine surge in her wake. Every flap of her aura shimmered with Furfur's energy, thick and pure, making the air taste sweet.
Baro leaned into her, eyes wide with wind and wonder. "You fly like a goddess."
"I'm not your ride," she said through gritted teeth.
"But you are carrying me."
She didn't answer. But her ears turned red.
Furfur barked again, and Baro laughed like a man who'd forgotten what the ground was.