I’d ask her about it later or I’d find a way to peek inside her bag again. If the book was there, I wanted to read it. Even my friend couldn’t keep me away.
We left the path and stepped out onto a road so narrow, only one cart would fit between the stone buildings. It wove toward the center of the village and as we walked, I cricked my neck to take in the two-story homes made of brick and wood. Clotheslines stretched between the upper parts of the buildings, and shirts, pants, and dresses dangled, rustling in the light wind. Leaving the narrow road, we continued across a large open square where vendors had set up carts to sell their wares along the sides.
Squash and potatoes,one man called out.
Fine boots for a man or a lady,shouted another.
People bustled here and there, most paying no attention to us. Only a few sent surprised looks our way and shuffled to the side as if we were royalty and them unworthy peasants.
Vexxionwasroyalty, the son of the king and the heir to Weldsbane Court, though you wouldn’t know it from his simple leathers. Only the regal tilt of his head and the sharp way he scanned the crowd pointed to his possible parentage.
Even my sister didn’t give her royal status away. She’d dressed in leathers like us this morning, and other than whispering to me that we needed to talk soon, she’d remained with Zayde. They flew on the blue dragon with Airia, and Brodine had ridden again with Reyla on Glim.
As for me, I still hadn’t gotten over the fact that I was the heir to Lydel Court, let alone that I had a younger sister.
We reached an inn with a swaying sign painted withthe Spotted Dragonin scrolling letters and went inside.
The proprietor swept over to us and gave us a curtsy. “Welcome. Welcome!” she said, smoothing her dark auburn hair across her shoulder. “I’m Marla. Are you here to dine, my fine fae lords and ladies? Are you staying the night?” When her gaze glided down Vexxion’s frame, her smile deepened.
“Four rooms. We’ll eat dinner here,” he said in a clipped voice, barely looking her way. His attention traveled around the room, taking in the long wooden tables nearly full of guests. Fae, I assumed. I couldn’t tell if there were Nullens among them.
“Of course,” Marla said, all business now, though her eyes lingered on Vexxion. “I have four rooms available. Willyoube sharing with anyone?”
“Reyla?” He didn’t look Marla’s way. “You’re with Airia. Brodine’s alone . . .” His gaze shot to his brother. “I assume you’re with the lady.” He wouldn’t call out a name that might be recognized. “I’ll share with . . .” His smoldering gaze landed on me. “You.”
“I’ll bunk with Airia and Reyla.” I’d sleep on the floor if I had to. I was quite capable of magicking my own bed.
“You’re with me,” he growled. “Alwayswith me.”
For someone who stated he didn’t want me, he was awfully determined to keep me in sight.
“Very well,” I huffed.
Marla’s smile held, but a sharp edge had slipped into her smoky gray eyes. “I’ll show you to your rooms, then, my lord? You can leave your things there and come back down to dine.I’ll clear a table.” She glared at some men sitting at one closest to the window. “Move.”
They got up and took their mugs of ale to a smaller table near the door, saying nothing, though their lips universally twisted with irritation.
“I made a fine stew,” she told us brightly. “Biscuits. There’s a berry cobbler for dessert.”
“That will be fine.” Vexxion handed her some coins. “Do you have tubs? We’d like to bathe while we’re here.”
She grunted. “I’ll have the help bring them up, plus water.”
“Just a tub for my room. I can take care of the water.”
“Yes, yes, I’m sure you can.” Her lips thinned. “Do you need any clothing cleaned, my lord?”
“I can take care of that as well.”
Brodine held up his finger. “I’ll leave my current outfit outside my room. Could you arrange to have it cleaned and returned by morning?”
“Of course,” she gushed his way, though with less enthusiasm than she’d used to sidle up to Vexxion. “Ladies?” Her attention traveled to Airia and Reyla.
“We’ll leave our clothing outside our rooms as well,” Reyla said, Airia nodding.
“I’ll handleourthings.” Zayde looped his arm around my sister’s lower back.
“Yes, my lords. Ladies. If you’ll all come with me.” Marla spun and started toward the stairs at the back of the room, and we followed her up to the second level. She opened the first door on the right. “For the two ladies.”
