Orelia chased down her food with a long sip of delicious ale, another luxury she hadn’t had since the gods’ knew when. “I think I almost got a laugh out of you, fae.”
Half his drink was gone by the time Vade was done with his sip. There was a hint of playfulness in his eyes. “You’ll have to try harder than that, witch.”
They ate their meals, watching people dance and cheer, but it wasn’t long before a fight broke out between a few rens and stivs. Orelia was used to seeing tavern fights, as they happened almost every time she and Teegan went to Shaley’s. Thankfully, this one stayed contained to the small group who’d started it and the room didn’t break out into an all-out brawl. Eventually, two batalins interfered and hoisted the instigators up, carrying them away like children being put to bed.
“Another ale?” the barmaid asked as she approached, actually looking at Orelia.
Orelia wiped her mouth. “No, thanks.”
“And you?” She put her hand on Vade’s shoulder and slid into his lap. His face was practically in her breasts as he wrapped an arm around her waist, the other hand busy holding his fork. “Well, I didn’t need anything, but now . . .”
The woman’s cheeks turned red as she smiled at him.
Orelia finished her ale, shifting uncomfortably as she watched them.
The barmaid skimmed her fingers along Vade’s jaw, and his eyes dipped to her breasts.
She wanted to be anywhere but watching him look at the barmaid like he’d rather have her for dinner.
“I can go,” Orelia said in a snippy tone.
“You can stay and watch if you want.” Vade licked a line up the woman’s neck, and she giggled, pressing herself closer to him.
Orelia knew she was bright red, but she forced herself to say, “Don’t you have something you need to take care of tonight?”
Vade pulled his face from the barmaid’s neck, revealing a lustful smile on his face.
Orelia flicked her eyes to his pocket and arched a brow. She’d been so eager to see Ricaboro that she’d almost forgotten the real reason they were here.
“I’ll get to it before the night’s over. Don’t wait up.” He winked and went back to kissing the woman’s neck.
Victorious, kohl-lined eyes slid to hers. The woman looked Orelia up and down with contempt, then went back to giggling.
Orelia didn’t know why her skin burned, but Vade was so cavalier about his intentions that she wondered if he had any sense of modesty at all. She left the table and could feel his eyes on her while ascending the stairs, but she didn’t bother looking back.
The plush bed in their spacious room called to her, but the energy pulsing from the streets below was too intriguing to be ignored, and she didn’t want to be in the room when Vade inevitably stumbled in with the barmaid.
She looked at Bute sitting in his jar on the dresser. “I am not going to stay in here all night and let him have all the fun.”
twelve
Orelia changed into adark green tunic and a comfortable pair of brown leather pants Vade had purchased. How he’d gotten her size right was a mystery, but it was clear he had a sharp eye for clothing as they fit just right. The pants were form-fitting so they wouldn’t snag on brambles, and the long sleeves of the tunic clung to her arms, but the bodice was loose enough to allow her to breathe. The neckline was higher than she was used to, but at least her chest wouldn’t get sunburned anymore.
She’d spent most of her life hiding under long skirts and plain tops so as not to garner unwanted attention in the brothel, though it wasn’t enough to deter persistent men who offered to buy her time even though she wasn’t for purchase. Orelia had always wanted closer-cut clothing, as she enjoyed her wide hips and large chest and wanted to show them off, but with what little money she had, and knowing it would only make her more susceptible to harassment, she’d let the idea pass. Standing in front of the mirror now seeing her legs defined and her shape present for the first time, Orelia smiled.
She looked good. She just needed a new pair of boots, and the wardrobe would be complete. Orelia dug through Vade’s pack andpulled out a small but heavy coin purse, figuring he wouldn’t miss it amongst the many others.
Orelia padded into the washroom and found a trinket tray in one of the cabinets. She filled the shallow dish with water from the pump and set it inside Bute’s jar, noticing the flies she’d gathered for him earlier were gone.
Bute hopped into the water bowl, soaking himself up to his eyes.
“Wish me luck, little guy. I’m going exploring.”
Bute croaked, and she giggled. Sometimes she could swear the colorful amphibian knew what she was saying.
The sound of her footsteps on the creaky stairs was drowned out amidst cheering in the main room as the fiddles picked up their pace. Women stomped their boots and shook their skirts while men howled up at the ceiling, ales raised high.
She peeked through the banister, seeing Vade and the barmaid still sitting at the table. The woman played with his hair, and his eyes were locked on hers.
