Ah.That’s what the name was about.
I ran my fingers through my hair, not used to the silken texture or the lack of snagging. Maybe going and sitting at the bar, where a couple was drinking together, would feel less awkward. I’d never been out to a pub unaccompanied before…or to one ever. It would be an unsavory thing in Luz—a Queen in a pub.
It felt unnatural not to be trailed by a dozen guards.
I shouldn’t have suggested this.
Downing the last gulp of my wine, I decided that finding my way to Umber House wouldn’t be too difficult.
Before I could leave the booth, a man slid into the seat to my left, where I’d intended to move. I reared back into the cushioned bench.
“Excuse me. I was just leaving.”
“Why so soon? I haven’t seen you here before.”
He reeked of ale and sweat. He was somewhat handsome, but his predatory expression killed any interest and made my heart thump. “I’m meeting a friend,” I lied.
That was the wise thing to say, right? Someone waiting for me would deter him.
“I saw your friend leave a few minutes ago. Come on now. A pretty face like that shouldn’t be drinking alone. Let me get you another.”
Unsure of if he was a Source-wielder or if he would be able to tell if I slipped into his mind, I avoided doing so. If he felt me as Ryn had, it would only draw more attention to who I might be and could provoke him.
“I should really be going.” I began to scoot out of the booth in the other direction, only to meet a hard body on my right. It was as if he’d materialized out of shadows.
“She’ll be staying. You’ll be going. Unless you’d like those eyeballs that are undressing my guest removed.” Darvan-dick sat to my right with an arm slung behind me over the back of the booth. He looked unbothered despite the command in his tone.
“Yes, my King—my apologies.”
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize toherfor your unwanted attention.”
Humiliation brought redness to the man’s face. His gaze landed between my nose and forehead.
“I’m sorry for my advances,” he grumbled.
Darvanda waved his hand as if to shoo him away, and the man quickly scooted out of the booth and rushed toward the front doors. The barkeep barked after him, “Oi, your tab!”
“What are you doing here?” I asked Darvanda, and despite his alluring spiced and smoky scent beckoning me closer, I slid left to put an arm’s length between us.
“I made a blood oath to let no harm come to you,” he said. “I may not like you, but an oath is an oath. I figured El would leave you for dead at the first whiff of debauchery.”
“Ah, so you’re here to moderate our fun,” I said.
“Would that have been fun for you?” He waved toward the door with his free hand, the other still lazily draped behind me but not touching me.
Refusing to look at him, I stared into my empty wine glass. “No,” I answered. Agreeing with him was painful. Truthfully, I was happy he’d intervened.
“I’m not going to tell you where to go or what to do in my city. But next time you want to go out drinking—bring Ryn. He lives for that doe-eyed adoration you give him, and he’s more reliable than El.”
“I am not ‘doe-eyed’ toward him,” I retorted.
Darvanda caught the attention of the barkeep. The man grinned at him, seeming proud to see his King in his establishment. Darvanda held up two fingers and pointed to my wineglass.
I glanced at Darvanda. “Wait, we’re staying?”
He shrugged.
Cleaned up and under the warm lamplight, his skin glistened with a thin glow of sweat. He’d shaved and the collared red satin tunic he wore dipped to reveal the hair on his chest. Even frowning and brooding, he looked attractive. In a frightening sort of way. Or maybe it was in an exciting way.
