Malek adjusted the bag over his shoulder, which contained a few other items he’d purchased in the marketplace. He’d hoped to do a bit more shopping to replenish his supplies, but they’d need to leave sooner than he’d anticipated. Hopefully, he’d be able to trade for additional items once they arrived in the dwarven city.
“Swears he saw a dragon flying near the city.”
The conversation of several men caught Malek’s attention, and he slowed his pace to listen.
“Tovi’s been drinking again, eh?”
“No. He swears he saw a dragon. He’s already told the Kiervan about it. If those damned demons don’t destroy the city, then the cursed dragons will. We need to seal the city now and start the purge. These outsiders are a blight that will bring madness down upon all of us. It needs to be ripped out, stem and root.”
One of them noticed Malek and nudged the man beside him. The group fell silent, and they turned their suspicious gazes upon Malek. He continued walking and avoided making direct eye contact, pretending he hadn’t heard their conversation. Nothing good would come from a confrontation. If they were determined to place blame somewhere, a stranger walking through their city would suffice. It didn’t matter they were right about a dragon flying overhead. Their fears and comments only incited him to quit the city sooner. It would destroy part of him to leave Levin behind, but he couldn’t risk their mission by remaining too long. He and Levin had both understood some sacrifices might be necessary and they might lose their lives, but it didn’t make the reality any easier.
Malek approached the inn and entered the courtyard in front of the building. Night had fallen, and the air had cooled quite a bit. A few people were lounging on cushions in the small outdoor area, sipping from large mugs of spiced wine or ale while they warmed themselves by the firepits. They were busy drinking and talking with their companions and paid him no attention. His shoulders relaxed a bit. These people were mostly outsiders like himself, but that didn’t mean they’d be any friendlier than Karga’s residents. By nature, sailors were a superstitious lot. They might not capture and torture him like the Kiervan would, but they’d cheerfully share a drink with him and then cut his throat while they robbed him blind. It was a cleaner death, but Malek had every intention of surviving this night.
The inn was different from many of the other buildings in the dock area. The sprawling structure stood two floors in height, with the second floor predominately for guests. It wasn’t a large inn, but it was clean and inexpensive. No one would blink twice at a few more strangers who were staying there.
He stepped into the entry room and took a few moments for his eyes to adjust. Several lanterns were placed throughout the room, casting the glow from the firelight along the walls. Perfumed smoke rose from incense burners scattered around, which created a hazy effect. The room was already packed, which wasn’t altogether surprising. Karga was a major port city, and most ship crews eventually made their way to the dockside inn. The drinks were inexpensive and potent, and the proprietor usually had the sort of entertainment that appealed to sailors who had been at sea and without companionship for far too long.
One of the entertainers currently performing was a buxom dark-haired woman who was gyrating her hips as she danced. Patrons called out encouragement and tossed coins on the raised floor at her feet. She worked the room like a master, occasionally stopping to wink or flirt with a particular customer, much to the amusement and appreciation of the rest of the inn.
Malek swept his gaze through the room, but he didn’t see any sign of Sabine. It wasn’t the sort of place he was thrilled with having her stay, but she’d proven to be more than adept at handling herself. If she could hold her own against a couple demons, these sailors didn’t stand a chance.
After making his way through the crowded room, he approached the bartender, who was pouring a drink. Leaning against the counter, Malek asked, “Did the woman I told you about arrive yet?”
“I sent her up already.” The man jerked his head toward the stairs and waggled his eyebrows. “Nice woman you have there—exotic. You should see if she’ll come down and dance. She’ll make a nice bit of coin from this lot. Hell, you convince her to dance and I’ll discount your room for the night.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Malek said with a chuckle and headed toward the stairs. It was an intriguing thought, but he couldn’t imagine Sabine performing for this drunken crew. The wooden stairs creaked under his feet, and he stepped aside to allow another guest to pass him who was headed in the opposite direction. The hallway smelled like stale smoke and sweat, and he debated whether he should have chosen a different place for the night. Even in Dax’s tavern, Sabine’s room had been better than this.
He located the door to the room he’d purchased for the night and tapped lightly. The door opened a moment later, and Malek froze. Sabine was standing in the doorway, the lantern light shining behind her and illuminating her figure through the thin material of her dress. Her silver hair was loose, tumbling over her shoulders in careless waves that he briefly imagined spilling over the bed. The blue color of her dress made her eyes even more striking, highlighting the lavender tones of her irises. In a word, she was exquisite. And he was well and truly screwed. He had no idea how he was going to keep his hands off her tonight when all he wanted was to take her to bed.
He scanned her up and down, his mouth suddenly dry. “I should have paid that merchant double. You’re stunning.”
Sabine laughed, her eyes dancing with amusement as she moved aside to allow him to enter. She closed the door behind him and moved toward the bed. Her dress clung to her curves more than he’d initially thought, and he nearly groaned at the sight. This was going to be impossible. He might need to sleep in the stables with the thontin. He doubted even Blossom’s presence would deter his thoughts.
“Were you able to arrange for the ship repairs?”
Malek cleared his throat, needing a moment to comprehend her question. He dropped his bags onto the bed. “I did. The dockmaster’s going to start working before dawn. I told him about our time restrictions and paid him handsomely for it. Unfortunately, I have some bad news.”
Sabine frowned and sat on the edge of the bed. “What happened?”
“It looks like we’re going to need to leave the city sooner than I’d planned,” he said, catching sight of the open window. Blossom apparently hadn’t returned yet. They’d need to keep their conversation quiet to avoid being overheard. Although, from the sounds of revelry coming from below, it was unlikely anyone would pay them much attention. “I overheard some people talking on my way here. Someone spotted a dragon outside the city. Not only that, but they’ve also moved up their burning festival sooner. I don’t know exactly when, but we need to be gone before it happens.”
Sabine nodded, trailing her fingers over the blankets. “I gathered as much.”
“Oh?” He arched his brow, and she gave him a slight smile.
“Not about the dragon, although I can imagine he’s quite fearsome,” she teased and winked at him. “But Zaverza, the woman who runs the bathhouse, told me about the burning festival. Bane’s suggestion about remaining behind with the ship was for the best.” Her smile faded, and her expression became more serious. “I have some information about Pearl.”
Malek regarded her with surprise. “I’m impressed. I wasn’t expecting you to find anything out so quickly. What did you learn?”
Sabine stood and crossed the room to close the window. Once it had been fastened shut, she said, “Zaverza’s a seer, one with the gift of foresight. In exchange for us taking her granddaughter away from the city, she agreed to tell me what she knew about Pearl. She claimed Pearl’s been taken farther into the desert by raiders.”
Malek frowned. “You agreed to take her granddaughter?”
Sabine nodded. “Yes. It was the only way. Rika’s inherited her gifts, and Zaverza’s worried she’ll be executed by the Kiervan. Both of them swore a blood oath to me.”
Malek rubbed the back of his neck. A blood oath was no small thing, and it was even rarer someone from Karga would ask for help from a stranger. It gave additional weight to the dockmaster’s warning. Things in Karga must be reaching a crescendo if they were confiding in outsiders. “You trust this woman?”
“I do. Zaverza claims someone will find us at the inn tonight. She told me to ‘dance, sing, and make merry.’” Sabine frowned and stared at the closed window. “I decided to wait for you before venturing downstairs.”
“I’m not sure who we can expect to meet downstairs. Most of the patrons are dockside workers or sailors, but I suppose it’s the only lead we have for now. I made a few discreet inquiries about meeting with a smuggler, but it may take a few days.”
Sabine crossed the room toward him. “We can’t afford to stay that long. I know we need supplies, but something strange is going on in this city. I’d feel better once we leave it behind.”
“I agree. From what rumors the dockmaster’s been overhearing, the portal is failing even faster than I thought. If it comes down to it, I’ll fly you and Bane down to the dwarven city and we’ll retrieve my ship later.”
Sabine paled. “You want to fly with us again?”
Malek winced. Her concern for his wellbeing and the way she’d touched him when he was in dragon form had made him hope she’d warmed up to the idea. “It’s not ideal, but we might not have a choice. I’m not willing to risk anything happening to you. Everyone in this city is on edge. It’s only going to get worse.”
Sabine frowned and didn’t answer. Deciding to change the subject, Malek opened the bag he’d brought. He’d spent more coin than he’d intended, but they’d hopefully recover most of it once they arrived in the dwarven city. He pulled out some toiletry items for Sabine and handed them to her. “After I left you at the bathhouse, I stopped by a few more stalls. I figured you’d need a brush, and I found some tea you might like. It’s not the same as Esme’s, but—”
Sabine’s gaze softened. Closing the distance between them, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “You’ve already done a great deal for me, Malek. This is a wonderful and extremely thoughtful gift. It means a great deal to me that you would do this.”
He paused, his eyes roaming over her features. There was no doubt; he was falling for her, hard and fast. “I’d like to do a lot more for you if you’ll allow it.”
Malek reached up and tucked her loose hair behind her ear and trailed his fingers downward along her soft skin. “I like your hair loose like this.”
“Hmm. I’ll have to keep that in mind,” Sabine said with a small smile. Clutching the items in her hand, she moved to the bedside table and then placed the items on top of it. The firelight once more danced along her skin and illuminated her figure, making it impossible for Malek to tear his eyes away from her. Her attire was more than a little distracting. It left very little to the imagination, and he was having a difficult time thinking about much else.
He cleared his throat and said, “I’m afraid we’re going to need to share the room. The inn doesn’t have much space, but you can have the bed. I usually sleep on the ship when I come here, but we don’t have a lot of options at the moment.”
Sabine turned around, and her lips twitched in a smile. “I don’t bite, Malek. We can share the bed. There’s plenty of room.”
He hesitated. If he didn’t need Sabine’s help to secure the remaining artifacts, he wouldn’t give it a second thought. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t quite trust myself around you.”
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “I’d say the feeling is mutual.”
He arched his brow, wondering if he’d heard her correctly. She walked toward him, pressed her hand against his chest, and lightly kissed his lips. Unwilling to let the opportunity pass, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He tasted a hint of spiced wine, but more potent and even more enticing was the taste of Sabine that lay underneath. She softened against him and he groaned, threading his fingers through the softness of her hair. This woman was going to drive him to the edge of all reason.
Sabine broke their kiss, and her hands curled into his shirt as she gazed up at him with passion-filled eyes. In a soft voice, she said, “If we don’t go downstairs now, we won’t make it down there.”
“If Levin and Esme weren’t depending on us, nothing could convince me to leave this room,” he murmured, cupping her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted someone the way I want you.”
“I’m starting to believe what’s happening between us is inevitable,” she murmured, still looking up at him. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not, but I want you too, Malek. Only… I’m not sure how safe we are here.” She paused, and her eyes filled with regret. “These people are actively trying to destroy anyone who’s not human. I’m very good at hiding who I am, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my magic suppressed when we’re intimate. Something about you calls to my power. I can try, but I can’t make any promises.”
He grimaced and forced himself to release her. Running a hand over his head in agitation, he said, “You’re right. I wish you weren’t, but the only thing that’s kept me from responding to your power is this warding medallion. You have no idea how tempting you are.”
“The same could be said for you, Captain.” Sabine walked back to the window and unlatched it. Pushing it open, she sighed and said, “I suppose it’s time to sing, dance, and make merry. Shall we?”
He nodded and offered her his arm. “I just hope I don’t have to kill anyone once we go down there. None of their usual entertainment holds a candle to you, my dear. Your presence is going to create quite a stir.”
She smiled mischievously. “Oh, you have no idea. Have you ever seen a Fae dance, Malek?”
He paused, suddenly wary. “No, why?”
She laughed and slipped her arm through his. “Come along, Captain. You’re about to find out.”
Sabine sat at an empty table while Malek went to order some drinks. Her nerves were a tangled mess, and it was unlikely even a strong drink would help settle them. Bane’s words kept replaying in her head, and she knew the demon was right. The smart thing to do would be to use Malek’s emotions and attraction as a catalyst to bind him to her.
But she had no intention of being smart, especially not where Malek was concerned. She admired and respected him far too much to use him in such a manner. No. Whatever was happening between them was something else entirely, and she wouldn’t sully it by misusing him. In Malek, she’d found a glimmer of hope she might find some happiness away from Faerie. Life wasn’t just about duty and survival. She wasn’t willing to give up on the possibility of something more just to secure a throne.
Malek leaned against the counter, chatting to the bartender while he poured the drinks. Her eyes drank in his powerful physique and the way his dark hair accentuated his golden skin. She had to force herself to take a steadying breath and remember their purpose. Gods. She was a mess. It was only a matter of time before they ended up in bed together, and she still wasn’t sure about the consequences of that decision.
Normally, the Fae didn’t think twice about such intimacy. She’d never given much thought to her relationship with Dax. He hadn’t either. It had started as a training exercise, one designed to ensure her magic wouldn’t falter unless she allowed it. Dax had been good in that regard, always challenging her beyond what she believed was possible. He’d forced her to become more disciplined, but he’d never fostered any of the softer emotions Malek evoked.
She didn’t trust herself with Malek. The few times they’d come close to being intimate or she’d felt his power trailing along her skin, it had threatened her tight control. She worried that once they crossed the line, she’d never be able to keep her heart separate. As it was, she was already losing the battle.
Sabine sighed and tried to push away these distracting thoughts. She needed to focus on their purpose instead of he
r attraction to the charming and enigmatic dragon.
A few women were dancing, and Sabine studied them to gauge the customers’ reactions and the skill level of the musicians. Even with her magic locked down, a Fae dancing could be extremely provocative. There was power in movement and song, especially when combined by a Fae. She’d need to be careful not to betray herself. Even someone of mixed heritage would be regarded with suspicion in Karga.
“You look like you could use some company,” a man said in a slur, bumping into her table. “Lemme buy you a drink.”
Sabine arched her eyebrow and mentally kicked herself for being so distracted. It had been a long time since someone, even a drunk, had thought to proposition her. Back in Akros, Dax had always made it clear she was off limits. Even if he hadn’t, she’d never been shy about discouraging unwanted advances.
Before she could send him away, Malek placed two glasses and a bowl of food on the table and said, “Keep walking, stranger. The lady’s taken.”
The man wavered, looking Malek up and down as though taking his measure. Sabine bit back a smile, watching as Malek’s eyes narrowed on the drunk who hadn’t moved.
Taking a threatening step toward the man, Malek slapped his hand against his weapon and said in a low voice, “Do you need me to make it clearer? Move along and leave the lady alone. Now.”
“Imma goin’.” The man held up his hands in defeat. Without waiting for a response, he belched loudly and moved away in the direction of another woman.
Resting her head on her hands, Sabine asked, “What made you think I wasn’t interested in his offer?”
Malek looked so bewildered by the possibility, she couldn’t help but laugh. Patting the seat next to her, she said, “I suppose you’ll have to entertain me instead.”
By Blood and Magic Page 14
