“Now that sounds a delight,” he whispered into her ear, lips brushing against tender skin. Warmth flooded her, from the top of her head to the bottom of her abdomen. “I’ll draw the bath.”
He stepped away and Vi caught his hand, then his gaze. Taavin locked his fingers with hers, pulling her hand to his face and kissing her knuckles thoughtfully. He straightened, a mischievous smile quirking his lips.
“Don’t keep me waiting,” Vi said softly, her voice gone deep with yearning.
“Never.” Taavin stepped back, keeping his eyes locked with hers until the last moment he disappeared into the bathroom. He could have her yearning with just a look or a simple touch in an otherwise chaste location.
Being back on the Dark Isle, with him, made things feel simpler once more. At least for a little while, they could find moments to pretend he was a normal man, and she a normal woman. Their love could be uncomplicated.
As he rummaged in the bathroom, she set about sorting their things. The chest of gold coins from old Lyndum was right where they’d left it. They’d have to convert it once more into usable currency, restock supplies, and then head south. Vi closed the top of the chest and walked over to the lone window wedged between the buildings on either side of their narrow shop, as though their place was a weed that couldn’t be contained.
She opened the window, allowing the room to air out with the cool desert breeze. Vi rested her hands on the sill, leaning out, savoring the sounds of revelry that hung on the crisp night. Laughter echoed up to her, drawing Vi’s attention down to the street.
Two men clung to each other, swaying like willowy branches. They were both clearly intoxicated; their dark hair was thrown every which way. She watched with a little smile as their steps mirrored that of a rolling tide, up and down and not quite stable.
Oh, to be that young and—
Vi clutched the windowsill.
“It can’t be. It’s too early,” she whispered. Her eyes didn’t lie. “Those idiots.” Vi spun, racing through the room, not even bothering to change. Taavin had just emerged from the bathroom, naked to the waist, and the sight of him stopped her in her tracks. Vi let out a groan, resting a palm on his chest. “I need to make sure two drunks make their way home safely.”
“What?” Taavin called after her as she started down the stairs.
“It’s Aldrik and Jax. The Imperial army is here,now,” Vi called back before dashing through the store and emerging out on the street beyond. She was only several paces behind the two men and closed the gap quickly. She could’ve stabbed them both between the ribs before they noticed her at their backs.
Vi rubbed her eyes, pressing to the point of pain and stars popping behind her lids. Then she pinched her cheeks till they were splotchy—though it might have been impossible to tell on her tan skin in the middle of the night. She began running, head down; her shoulder clipped the taller man and she stumbled, sprawling on the ground before them like a proper damsel.
Aldrik was nearly taken down with her. Jax held him up with the arm that was already around his waist. The booze slowed their reactions and they both reached to help her up on a delay.
“Aaaare—” a burp “—are you allrisht?” Aldrik tried to ask.
Clearly, this was not one of his prouder moments.
“I’m fine,” she said curtly, batting their hands away and collecting herself off the ground. Vi stopped herself, blinking the tears she’d pressed into her eyes so they’d roll down her cheeks as she looked up at them. “My prince!” Vi bowed, bringing her forehead to the ground.
“Shhhh.” He brought a finger to his lips. “I’m incognitooo. Haaving a night of fshun.”
“Sorry, miss.” Jax extended his hand and Vi ignored it, helping herself to her feet. He looked like he was barely managing to keep Aldrik upright. Jax tilted his head so far he nearly fell over. “Do I know you?”
“I doubt it.” Vi played with the short ends of her hair. She’d cropped it back to her ears before arriving on the Dark Isle. Long, short, long, short, her hair was the one thing that she could easily make sure was never the same between each meeting.
“I’m sure I do,” he insisted.
“Forgive me for being blunt, but I think that’s the alcohol speaking.” Jax grinned wider at the remark and Vi smiled as well. “I’m a lowly one who wouldn’t have the honor of meeting a prince or an illustrious member of the Golden Guard.”
Aldrik burst out laughing. “She, she called you amember.”
Vi had no idea why that was supposed to be funny. But Jax laughed along, snorting as he tried to regain control of himself.
“Well, now you have. Please do keep our appearance a secret? It’s my fault the prince is out so late, and I don’t want him or I to get in trouble.”
If you wanted it to be a secret, you shouldn’t be walking down the middle of the main street drunk, Vi nearly snapped. What she said instead was, “My lords, the Crossroads at night is not the safest of places. Perhaps I could have the honor of escorting you? I know these streets well, and I planned to enlist in the army come morning. I’m quite capable of being your temporary guard.”
They hadnotplanned on enlisting in the army come the morning. Their plan had been to head south, switch the crown, andthenhead North. But Vi didn’t miss an opportunity when fate handed her one.
If she did this favor for them tonight, it was likely that they would keep her close at the front.
“Let her,” Aldrik declared. “Secoond pretteh lady of the nighhht.”
