“I have an appreciation for fine blades myself.” She said, kneeling to measure his legs.
Talon laughed nervously. “A princess shouldn’t stoop to a tailor’s work.”
“She’s busy. Why not save her the work? You did say they never get the measurements right.”
“True enough.” Talon stood rigidly as she worked.
“So, have you ever worked a forge?”
“All the time, growing up. Not so much, now.” Talon lied. He’d stitched together a basic story that was easy to improvise. “Father thought my talents were better used to sell.”
“Hm.” Janus stood, looping the tape around his back. When the two ends met, she tugged, pulling him a hair’s breadth from her face, dark eyes boring into his. “You don’t seem like a simple merchant.” She growled, somewhere between a threatening hiss and a seductive whisper.
“And why’s that?”
“Most merchants couldn’t hit a target five feet in front of them on a sunny day. You snagged an assassin. On a roof. In the rain.” She leaned closer. “At night.”
“You were in danger,” Talon said quietly. “Any man would do the work of ten for a princess.” He paused. “For a princess like you? Twenty.”
That sounded pretty good. It probably would have worked on anyone else.
Janus held the measuring tape tautly before smirking and releasing him. “Aren’t you sweet?”
Relieved, Talon stepped off the platform. “Are you choosing the outfit, or am I?”
“I have something in mind.” Janus walked away. “You can wait here. I’ll take this to the tailor.”
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Talon tilted his head, watching her hips sway beneath thin black fabric. Had she always been shaped like that?
Come to think of it, Janus had exclusively worn baggy white clothing up until today.
He’s not good enough for her. A low voice said.
He’s not good enough for anyone.
Liar.Another whispered.
Piddling assholes. The gods were meant to be divine. If they had a plan for him, he had yet to understand the point of it.
Janus returned, and the guards pushed the door open for them. Cold mountain air rushed over Talon as he stepped outside, and he folded his arms tightly to preserve the heat granted by his jacket.
“It’ll be done the day before the ball,” Janus said. “I paid extra for her to work on it sooner.” Her lids hung low over her eyes, shading her brown irises. “Well, the important work is done. How about a tour?”
“I have two routes in mind.” Talon raised two fingers. “Are you in the mood for a hike or a stroll?”
“A hike.”
“In those shoes?” Talon glanced at her heeled boots. “Brave lady.”
Stepping past him, she halted and spun around. “Where did you say you met Kalid, again?”
“Roadside Inn. We played a game together.”
Janus’s eyes twitched, and her mouth tightened into a thin line before her face returned to a neutral expression. She searched him, looking for proof he wasn’t who he claimed, yet found nothing. Hoping to appear oblivious, Talon smiled at her curiously.
“Why?”
“Just wondering.” She turned away.
