Adriel nodded and led us back out into the snow. The biting wind nipped at my face, and my steps grew heavy as we trudged through the alleyway along one side of the inn.
The snow and mud had melted and refrozen, making for a treacherous walking path. I slipped on an errant peakof ice jutting out of the slippery sludge, but Kaden caught me around the waist before I could right myself.
He removed his hand just as quickly, and I scowled.
Ihatedhow my body ached for his touch — hated how difficult it was for me to honor his simple wish that we keep our distance until he broke the sire bond.
Despite understanding the danger the connection posed, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting him. I craved Kaden as I’d never craved anything or anyone, and even the most innocent touch was enough to send heat surging straight to my core.
Thankfully, the scent of horses and moldy hay wafted up to greet me, dampening the swell of desire. As we passed the stables, the sound of raucous voices and a feminine cackle reached my ears. Another ramshackle building came into view, its windows lit by glowing pink and red orbs.
As we approached, the door flew open, and a dirty fae male with matted black hair was tossed out into the snow. A terrifying-looking female stood in the doorway, hands on her ample hips and her face puckered in anger.
Her eyes narrowed on Adriel and Sorsha, but she stood aside to let them pass. The cloying scent of perfume wafted toward me, and I hesitated briefly before Kaden placed a hand along the small of my back and guided me into a narrow foyer decorated with peeling wallpaper.
The building was smaller than the tavern, with an assortment of round tables crowded into the space. A fae with bluish scales sat in the far corner playing a bouncy tune on a slender keyed instrument that stood vertically on the bowed wooden floor.
A small stage stood at the back of the room, where a female with iridescent pink skin writhed in a chair,completely nude. Flashing a coy smile at the crowd of onlookers, she threw her head back and slithered down the chair — baring even more of her flesh.
We had entered a brothel.
For several heartbeats, I just stood there stunned. Then Kaden let out a chortle and nudged me into the main room.
The stern, plump female hustled in behind me, looking us up and down. “Three pieces of silver for a good time. Five for the night.”
“How much for two rooms and a hot meal apiece?” Adriel asked.
“With or without company?”
“Without.”
Irritation flickered across the female’s face, though I couldn’t tell if he’d offended her or if she was merely annoyed that he wouldn’t be paying for pleasure as well as a room. “Ten.”
Adriel rolled his eyes.
“Ye can’t take up two of me rooms and not expect to pay the full rate,” the female groused. “And I’ll have one of the girls haul up hot water for your bath.”
“Fine,” Adriel gritted out, dropping the coin in her outstretched hand.
“Enjoy the evening’s entertainment,” she said, cracking a practiced smile before flouncing back into the parlor.
A dark-haired female wearing nothing but some glittering scarlet scraps sashayed over and led us to a table in the far corner of the room. Kaden pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down as another pretty fae with silver hair and feathers for lashes brought over a tray heaped withfood and drink: smoked turkey thighs, boiled parsnips, roasted carrots, and a fruity red wine.
My stomach rumbled, and I tore into the meal, paying almost no attention to the dozen or so male patrons lounging in their seats, ogling the naked female on stage.
The turkey was salty, moist, and succulent, and the vegetables were hearty and filling. Within a few minutes, a warm, relaxed feeling seeped into my muscles, and I took another generous gulp of the wine.
But then the dark-haired female reappeared at our table. Two glittering panels of fabric hung over her full breasts, crisscrossing at her middle and hugging her hips in a design that left little to the imagination.
She looped an arm around Kaden’s neck, bending close to whisper something in his ear. Kaden’s mouth quirked up along the side, and my stomach clenched.
The music was too loud for me to hear what they were saying, but the overly familiar gesture made me think they knew one another.
Kaden tilted his head up to speak, and the female threw her beautiful head back and laughed.
Something poisonous curdled low in my gut, souring the lingering taste of the wine. And when the female pivoted and slid into Kaden’s lap, my stomach gave a violent lurch.
Searing, jealous rage blazed through me, stealing the air from my lungs.
