“Just...something Tharios gave me.”
It had better be in the bag. The last thing she wants is Mother asking her what it is and why she needs it tonight if Arisanna knocks on their door now.
Relief fills her when her hand wraps around cool glass. At least Father left it for her. He won’t ask questions, not the way Mother would.
“I found it,” she says. “We’re ready. Lead the way, Erich.”
“This way, Your Highnesses.”
Cerian eyes her with confusion, but he says nothing, and soon they’re climbing the stairs to the third floor. Does the hotel owner not live up here? Most business owners live above their shops, though Rominy told her his sociology professor said that’s been changing. Or was it economics? Either way, there’s clearly a suite on the top level.
After leading them up two flights of stairs, Erich gestures toward a door on the right. “The Honeymoon Suite, Your Highnesses.”
He disappears before either of them can respond, and heat flares within Arisanna’s chest.
This hotel has a honeymoon suite? She’s heard of such things becoming popular at the more upscale hotels in Levina, but she never expected to find one in Feressa.
One being offered to her. And Cerian.
“What is a honeymoon suite?” Cerian asks, and Arisanna turns wide eyes his way.
“It’s...a set of rooms designed for newlyweds. For the newly bound.”
“What makes it different from other rooms?”
She could venture a few guesses. It would be easier to show him, though.
Without speaking, she pushes open the door, and they both stand in the doorway, taking in the room.
Stars above.
The Honeymoon Suite
Episode 84
Thatisthemostmassive bed Cerian has ever seen. They wouldn’t roll off it, though they might get tangled in the sheer fabric draping from the ceiling.
His eyes travel the rest of this honeymoon suite as Arisanna stands silently at his side.
Everything is plush, from the lounging sofas near the hearth to the chairs at a table. The curtains flanking the biggest window he’s ever encountered are a deep red velvet to match the scarlet satin covering the enormous bed.
And what a view it is, looking straight toward the Wildthorne Woods and Lostariel. Homesickness pinches his gut at the sight before he looks away.
All the paintings on the walls depict romantic scenes and couples embracing in various stages of dress, though the images aren’t graphic. Romance rather than titillation seems to be the goal.
As his eyes alight on what appears to be an enormous bathtub in one corner of the room, he frowns. “Why is the bathtub not in the water closet? And why is it so large? Are all human bathtubs that size? You could fit two people in there with room to spare.”
Arisanna clears her throat. “I believe that’s the entire point of its existence. That’s why it’s in the main room.”
Hestudies it again as her words sink in and his hands tingle.
Whistling wind. That came on fast. He’s been controlling his fire better today, but clearly this honeymoon suite is accomplishing its goal, which seems to be to encourage the newly bound to copulate.
In this hidden-away room no one speaks of, apparently.
Humans are bizarre sometimes.
“So...here we are,” Arisanna says as she twists her hands in front of her.
