She tied her waterskin to her belt, and the two of them set out. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”
“A rich asshole who makes his money selling people his crew captures from the northern islands to the cities in the Triangle.”
“That’s awful.” They stepped over a log, and she felt the ghost of a steadying hand near her back. Her insides warmed at the gesture.
“I had a name about a year ago of the man running Rivgarr’s ships out of Goldbottom. The two were always together, and Rivgarr was constantly surrounded by at least three other men. His personal guards, I assume. He’s going to be a tricky hit.”
She pondered what kind of person could sleep at night selling people into slavery. Orelia pictured a fat, overindulged man with horrible facial hair and the arrogance of someone unworthy of being respected at all, like Beron. Though she was learning evil was multifaceted.
For once, she didn’t abhor Vade killing someone.
The cool weather faded with each passing mark, and soon enough, Ravere came into view. Vade had said the city was almost as wealthy as Ricaboro, but not near as lively.
She looked at the two poorly drawn stick horses he’d created on the map above the word ‘Ravere,’ then folded the parchment and put it in her pocket. He’d relented his hold on the map since Fink, probably figuring it kept her quiet and out of his way. Orelia had studied it for hours, memorizing everything she hoped to see one day.
The city was smaller than she imagined for a place where all the horses were trained for King Aradonis’s army. The lush hills aroundRavere made for perfect horse country, but the city itself was homely and calm. Families meandered in the streets, and music came from a group of bards and fiddlers gathered around a fountain in the middle of the square.
After a lunch of roast and vegetables at one of the taverns, she thought they were going to acquire a room at the inn next door, but Vade said he knew of a better place—a cabin bordering the river. There were a few other cabins within view, but plenty of space between them all. She didn’t want to know what it cost, but lying on a bed smelling of fresh linen had her not caring.
Vade needed to do reconnaissance, telling her not to leave the room on his way out.
For once, she obeyed.
The mattress was the perfect firmness, and Orelia was quickly swept into a deep sleep. She didn’t even hear him return. Vade shook her shoulder, and she screamed, not realizing how hard she’d slept.
“Oh, gods, it’s just you,” she said, noticing the sun was only a couple marks from the horizon.
He frowned down at her. “Of course it’s me.”
“I know, I just meant you scared me. I was completely out.”
“Well, get up, because you have some shopping to do.” He pulled a purse out of his pocket and tossed it to her.
“What’s this for?”
Vade took a seat in a leather chair in the corner and rested an ankle on his opposite knee, looking oddly formal. “You’re going to need a dress for tonight.”
She perked up. “What for?”
“Rivgarr secured himself a seat at a table in an underground gambling den. High rollers only.” He rubbed his jaw that had been trimmed to scruff instead of his short beard. He must have gotten a shave while he was out.
Orelia found herself unable to look away, as his sharp jaw was now more defined, making him look even more masculine.
“The entry fee is more than I want to pay, but it’s the only place his three guards won’t be allowed in. I’ll need a seat at that table if I stand any chance of getting him alone after the game’s finished. His movements are closely monitored, and I don’t want to risk losing him if I just wait outside the establishment. There are too many eyes, even some on the roof, so we have to get inside.”
“What part do I play in this plan of yours?”
He yanked the tie from the knot at the back of his head and shook his hair out. “This is a high stakes game, so there are always playthings being paraded around. From what I’ve seen in the past, most players bring at least one with them, sometimes more.”
Her skin warmed. “Plaything?”
Vade braced his elbows on his knees, locking eyes with her. “You’re going to have to play another role tonight. As am I. Players flaunt their men and women for the evening. It’s all a power move—but the types of people, the amount of money, and the secrecy of the group means all kinds of things could happen there.”
Orelia sat on the edge of the bed, squeezing her legs together. “So, you want me to be your plaything?” She couldn’t hide the intrigue in her voice.
“You’ll sit on my lap during the game, nothing more. But I will have to play a role, too. A rich, boastful asshole like the rest of them.”
“So, yourself?”
