Erich wished the good woman kept her establishment closer to the capital of Iseldis. He would be its most frequent patron if he had easier access to it.
“And such a pretty little lady, too,” Heidi continued, her eyes taking in the girl in his arms.
Erich felt his cheeks grow warm. It must have been the heat blasting from the central fireplace.
“Although she could use a fresh scrap of clothing.” The tavern keep never stopped talking. “I’d think a prince ought to be able to handle that.”
Erich looked down at Azel, who looked like she wanted to both flee and laugh at the same time.
A sharp tug of embarrassment hit him as he glanced at her clothing. She spent most of the day and night wrapped in that blanket. He’d hardly noticed the shapeless brown dress she was still wearing. It was in desperate need of a wash, but it was also in dire need of an upgrade.
Why hadn’t he noticed? Because his job was to take her to Chendas, not take care of her.
He looked back up at Heidi, an apologetic grin on his face. “Dinner for two, my good lady,” he said, his unsaid words hanging in the air between them.
Heidi’s eyes had returned to Azel, and her face was appalled. “Did you find... is this that sorceress you were searching for?” She matched Erich’s gaze for confirmation, but she seemed to already know she had guessed the truth.
Erich felt something tighten inside him.
The two small arms around his neck tightened too. Azel was afraid.
This wasn’t good. Erich dropped a tiny nod to the tavern keep. “So, that dinner for two?”
“Find a seat, Your Highness.” Her voice was flat as she turned on her heel with a huff.
Erich adjusted his grip on Azel. He held her closely but didn’t dare look at her face. The second table held a few empty spaces in a row. Sitting them both down, he took his hat off and set it on the bench beside him.
Azel avoided the intrigued gazes of the other patrons seated alongside the table. Erich had the urge to reach under the table and squeeze her hand for reassurance.
Heidi had never seen a Majis before. She was just shocked.
“No one else heard,” he whispered, wanting Azel to feel better.
She didn’t respond.
Erich looked up at their tablemates with a broad grin. He had spent a long night here a few weeks ago, chatting into the wee hours of the morning with these good people. He didn’t recognize any of the faces sitting directly with them, but surely these townsfolk would make fine company.
“It’s not often we get a noble lord in these parts,” one of the men said, returning his smile. “You from the capital?”
“Name’s Erich,” he responded, intentionally leaving out the “Prince” part.
“I’m called Loke.” The man said the words slowly, as though Erich had passed some sort of test and was being rewarded with that information. “Running away with a lady your parents don’t approve of?” Loke continued, smirking toward Azel.
Erich merely laughed uncomfortably to avoid answering.
Azel kept her head down.
“It looks like the lady isn’t too amenable to the idea herself,” another man said from further down the table. He chuckled into his drink as though the joke was only for himself, but he’d said it loud enough for the whole table to hear.
Erich smiled uncomfortably. They were merely jesting. Azel had no reason to get upset about it.
He was trying to think of a way to change the topic of conversation when Heidi appeared behind him.
She dropped a heaping plate full of stew in front of Erich along with a mug of ale. “Thank you, good lady.” Erich’s voice came out a little louder than he intended.
“That’s it, though,” Heidi responded. “I don’t serve her kind here.”
Erich looked back over his shoulder in shock.
