Coordinated Schedules

 

Lassy had barely had time to breathe that week. Between tracking down rogue wanderers, dealing with ambushes in the dead of night, and patching up wounds that should’ve taken her out, she had been running purely on instinct and exhaustion.

She hadn’t even thought about the gala.

Not until the dress arrived.

At the time, she had simply exhaled in relief, grateful that Sylus had thought ahead. Of course, he had. His taste was impeccable, and if he wanted to be seen with her on his arm, he wasn’t about to let her show up in a last-minute scramble of thrown-together fabric. She had slipped into the dress without much thought, never once questioning that he was the one picking her up.

So when the knock came, she didn’t hesitate.

She opened the door and realized her mistake.

Sylus was there, as expected, a picture of confidence in his black suit and open red shirt, eyes gleaming in approval as they moved over her.

“Sweetie…” His smirk curved lazily. “Perfect.”

But just behind him, another presence loomed.

"Love..." said Zayne.

His brown-green eyes moved over her just as slowly, but unlike Sylus, there was no outward reaction—just a quiet, assessing gaze. Unshaken. Measured. Present.

Very present.

Lassy blinked, looking between them. “Wait. What?”

Sylus exhaled, the sound edged with amusement. “It turns out…” He gestured vaguely between himself and Zayne. “We had the same idea.”

Her breath caught.

She turned to Zayne. “You invited me to the gala.”

He nodded once. “I did.”

She turned to Sylus. “You also invited me.”

His smirk deepened. “I did.”

They hadn’t planned this. They had both arrived, separately. And now they were here, together.

Before she could say anything else, Zayne adjusted his cufflinks, his movements smooth, deliberate, settled. “Our schedules coordinated together.”

Lassy inhaled sharply, unsure what to make of the situation.

Sylus tilted his head toward her, voice smooth and effortless. “Let us take you out together tonight?”

She barely had time to process before Sylus leaned in slightly, red eyes glinting.

“You know… two is better than one sometimes, kitten.”

Her breath hitched, but something deeper settled beneath it. Not frustration, not irritation, but something quieter.

Relief.

This week had been brutal. The exhaustion still sat deep in her bones. And yet, they were both here. Waiting.

Sylus, watching her with barely concealed amusement, as if he already knew her answer. Zayne, waiting patiently, offering his arm.

She swallowed. She couldn’t refuse them.

Didn’t want to.

Lassy exhaled, stepping forward, her fingers grazing Zayne’s as she accepted his arm, while Sylus’ hand settled lightly against her back, guiding her forward.

“…What do you say?” Sylus murmured beside her.

She didn’t need to answer.

She had already chosen.