“Okay, we’ll take it.”
“That’ll be seven silvers, sir.”
I recoiled. “Seven? Gods almighty. That should pay for an entire week.”
The human shrugged. “It’s the last room available in the entire town—the price is the price.”
I grumbled under my breath, pulling out my pouch of silvers and paying the man. “Thank you,” I forced myself to say.
He snatched the coins and placed a large brass key in my hand. “You’ll be in room twenty-three, just head up the stairs and follow the hallway to the very end. You’ll see it.” He retreated without another word.
An unexpected knot tightened in my stomach. I rolled the key between my fingers. “So, Kizzi. How about we drop off our bags and grab some dinner? I could eat an entire horse.”
“Lead the way.”
The room was small.
Much smaller than I had expected. It was near criminal that we were being charged seven silvers for this place—it was more of a closet than an actual room.
My head nearly skimmed the ceiling as I walked; I had to duck to avoid cracking my skull on the light sconces. A small washroom was tucked in the corner, barely wide enough to stand inside. A tiny table was perched by the entryway, and a chest sat by the wall. There was hardly any floor space, just enough to walk from place to place and none extra. Our bags would surely occupy every remaining inch.
There was definitely not enough room for me to sleep on the floor.
The rest of the room was occupied by the large bed. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it—at least we would both fit comfortably. I sent a silent thank you to the fates, in case they were listening. Two fluffy pillows sat at the head of the bed, and a smooth, muted orange blanket was draped haphazardly.
I knelt and lifted the blanket, peeking under the bed just to see… nope—it was a platform style with no space beneath.
Was I really considering sleepingunderthe bed? Possibly. But the idea was useless.
Kizzi squeezed into the room and settled her bag gently onto the floor. She pulled it open and peered inside, sticking her hands in and fiddling with something before closing it again. She glanced at me, glanced around the tiny room, and then looked at me again. She seemed to be debating something.
I held my breath, words refusing to form on my tongue. I shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. My heart raced in my chest.
Long moments passed.
Eventually, her gaze settled onto the large bed dominating the room. She let out a deep sigh, her shoulders rising and falling with the movement. “Well, at least it’s a big bed. You better be a calm sleeper, and if you steal the covers, I’ll curse you to make all your hair fall out.”
I nodded sagely. “I would expect nothing less.”
“I mean it—your head will be bald and shiny.”
“Shiny?”
“Shiny.”
I held my hands up placatingly. “I will be on my best behavior. If you’d prefer me to sleep on the floor in the hallway?—”
“Oh, shut up. I was thinking the same thing, but the innkeeper would never allow that.”
I shrugged. “I could try it anyway.”
“If they kick us out because you’re clogging up the hallway, I’ll curse you twice. I’m starving, let’s go find something to eat.”
My stomach growled loudly, echoing through the quiet room. “I’m not going to argue with that.”
Kizzi stooped, reaching into her bag one last time and murmuring under her breath. I tried to ignore the strangeness of the situation… I was not in the habit of judging magical women for their eccentricities. She sighed and stood up, heading for the door.
She hastily tucked her hands into her pockets for a moment before pulling them out and rubbing her palms against her trousers.Nervous sweat, maybe? Weird.
