Fine then. She’d keep her guard up and make sure he kept his word.
“Very well. Thank you. For everything you’ve done.”
He inclined his head to her, then held his hand out to indicate the first inn she’d visited. The Violet Horse. Another peculiar name, but who was she to criticize?
Grateful for his unexpected kindness, she headed toward it.
He fell in beside her as if he knew she didn’t like anyone at her back. Or maybe he did it to put her at ease. She noted that he also kept his arms crossed over his chest, away from his weapons.
But the most obvious telltale sign was the deliberate way he strode. Or actually,swaggeredwould be the most apropos description. His was a true warrior’s lope. Smooth, steady and sexier than she wanted it to be. This was a man who was comfortable with himself and his place in the world.
One who craved a good fight and had no fear of losing.
There was also an air of refinement that clung to him. One that said he’d spent as much time at court as she had. Something at odds with his commanding warrior presence. Most warriorsonly came to court when summoned and left as soon as they could. Because of all the backbiting and hypocrisy, they usually avoided it at all costs.
Yet she’d been around enough courtiers to note that he held that same regal training as any nobleman.
Something proven when they reached the inn and he actually opened the door for her and let her enter first. He’d definitely had formal etiquette training.
As they crossed the nearly empty tavern room and headed for the stairs, a sharp voice called out to them.
“Oi! What are you about there?”
Her companion stopped to look at the ogre she assumed owned the place. “Heading to my room.”
“We don’t take her kind here. She needs to leave immediately.”
A lethal aura descended over him. One she couldn’t even begin to name. There really wasn’t anything more than a very subtle steeling of his body and expression, yet it was unmistakable.
And terrifying.
The innkeeper audibly swallowed. “I…um…I mean we don’t normally take her kind. But for you, my lord… Just keep her out of sight of the other guests, my lord…p-p-please.”
Without a word, he gently took her elbow and escorted her to the stairs.
“Why is everyone so afraid of you?” she asked.
One tiny twitch of his lips let her know that question amused him. “I’m a scary being. Didn’t you notice?”
She would definitely agree. “It’s not that. There’s something about you they know that I feel like I should, too.”
He arched a brow to challenge her statement.
“I mean, you are scary. But their reactions are something more. Who are you? Really?”
“Tonight, I’m your roommate. That’s all you need to know.” He paused at the second door on the left and opened it.
Gisela went inside, then paused. The bed was giant, or should she say ogre and troll sized and filled with pillows. But that wasn’t what concerned her.
There was another occupant swathed in a black hooded cloak that held heavy gold embroidery she assumed were alchemy symbols. One she’d almost run straight into.
Two armor clad arms came out from the folds of his cloak to lower his hood.
Her first thought was he came from Tenmaru—the kingdom to the north that was inhabited by yokai, tengu and oni. But he had elfin ears. The Tenmaru had horns, or other attributes that distinguished them from humans, fey and elves. But the one thing none of them had, to her knowledge, was pointed ears.
Then again, his armor was definitely that of the Tenmaru army, and so were his features. His dark, deep-set eyes were absolutely captivating and set in a face as perfect as her unknown companion’s.
“Are you here to see theroji no akuma?” he asked her in a deeply accented tone.
