They approached the small, quaint Inn and walked through its worn-down entryway. Half-torn wall paper hung off the walls, and the Inn smelled of cigar smoke and clean linens. The floorboards creaked as they approached the desk where the Innkeeper sat, currently smoking.
“We’d like a room, please.” Airess inquired tentatively, trying her best to muster an innocent smile.
“You’re in luck! We have one room vacant upstairs, fourth door to the left. Bathing chambers on the first floor.” The innkeeper’s wrinkled hands handed the key over to Airess with a sweet smile, “A lovely room for alovely couple. Oh, won’t you two make beautiful babies!”
Airess’ cheeks immediately heated at the assumption, “Actually, we –”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Taryn said stiffly, giving the innkeeper a brisk nod. As they ascended up the wooden stairs in silence, Airess heard the old woman snickering.
That old bat knew what she was doing.
Taryn unlocked the door and abruptly came to a halt midway in the door frame.
“What is it?” Airess asked as he sidestepped for her to come in and closed the door behind them.
Oh.
The room was simple and small. The walls and floor were all made from wooden planks. An undersized rug lay in the middle of the floor. A medium sized bed, just big enough to squeeze in two people, sat flushed against the corner. A painting of an owl hung crooked on the wall and an oil lamp on the bedside table.
How odd. The animal always made appearances in her life, but those thoughts were stuffed down as Airess was still reeling from the innkeeper's comment.
Taryn scratched the back of his neck as he said, “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“No, it’s okay. I can–”
Taryn laughed, his vibrato deep and rich, “Please, Airess, I insist. If my grandmother were still alive she would have myheadif I let you sleep on the floor.” He set his satchel down and lit the wick in the oil lamp.
Airess shuffled on her feet. “I’m going to the bathing chambers.” She spun on her heel, the door slamming shut behind her as she made her way to bathe.
Airess didn’t know why her heart was pounding so much, why the innkeepers comments about them makingbeautiful babiesdrew forward thoughts about him–absolutelywrongthoughts she was trying her best to rebuke. She didn’t need to think about his muscled chest, the way sweat rolled down the sides of his face, slicking past his scar that she couldn’t help find attractive.
She didn’t need to think about running her fingers through his loose curls, the dangle of his earring when he laughed, or his piercing silver eyes that seemed to see right through her, or the fact that she had to arch her head all the way up to look at him.
His gentle fingers–
Oh, Air, get a hold of yourself!
Airess walked into the bathing chamber to find a bath already drawn and warmed. She thanked the gods for at least makingthispart of her journey easy. She glanced around the room as she pulled her cloak off and began to undress.
She stepped in the tub and quite literallysankinto the water, the heat bringing a comfort she had often at the castle. Never again would she take any luxuries for granted. At last, Airess exhaled an audible sigh, releasing a tension that had been building up the entire journey.
One more week.They would make it to her hometown, Judla, and finally crossFinlan’s Passage.Excitement and dread brewed in her chest. She was ready to meet the priestesses in Rune and learn about her power, ready to make a life worth living for herself. She was more than ready to escape Luciena for good and leave this nightmare behind her.
But along with all of the excitement, came dread.
Airess never expected to feel dread at the end of her travels… but she did. She could no longer deny she had grown fond of Taryn,morethan fond, that is. Would they go their separate ways for good, or would he leave her behind?
After her much needed bath, Airess finally dried off and reclothed. When she went to grab the heart locket Esper had given her, the locket slipped and fell to the ground.
Click!
Metal clicked against metal. Airess bent down to inspect and realized the necklace had split open. Her heart dropped, thinking the necklace had broken until she brought it closer to her eyes
No, not broken. The locket had opened!
Airess’ brows creased as she brought the necklace closer to the oil lamp. Inside the locket was an engraving of text:
Deyanira
