by Chloe Cole
"You and your boy interested in some sweets?" she asked. She was a lean and lovely lion shifter, her golden hair offset like a crown by her gorgeous, deep brown skin.
I shot a glance at Lucian, suddenly very aware of my own lackluster appearance again, but he was already leaning closer to the peddler.
"We'll take two of those pastries and a tin of the maple candies." His smile was wide enough to show a mouthful of gleaming, white teeth flashing beneath his three-day old, black beard. Wider than I'd ever seen it. And definitely wide enough to make me want to stomp his foot.
She smiled and leaned forward, the motion sending her pert breasts pressing up against the square neckline of her checkered frock. "You certainly can, handsome. Anything else look good to you?"
I was pursing my lips so tight, they felt numb as I watched the exchange, jealous fury making my blood pump hot.
"Hmmm, all right then. How about a lolli for the little guy?" Lucian reached over, mirth lighting his dark eyes, and ruffled my hair with paternal affection. "He doesn't talk much but he sure does love sweets."
I had to clench my jaw to keep from biting his hand off as he pulled away and reached for the pouch of coins at his hip.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Half a bronze," she said with a wink as she deftly wrapped up his purchases.
She handed him the packages, her fingers lingering on his wrist far longer than necessary, as I watched on, trying not to show any reaction.
"Can't wait to eat them," Lucian said, the charm pouring off him like water off a duck, and I stared at him, dumbfounded, as a dimple creased his cheek.
A bloody dimple.
Who even knew he'd had one?
I was still grappling with that realization when the woman shot him another wink. "You'll have to let me know how you like them. How long will you be in town?" she asked, fluttering her lashes so hard, it was a wonder she didn't leave the ground like a dragonfly.
"Tomorrow," I snapped, unable to hold my tongue a second longer. "We're only here one night, and we've much to do, so..."
Lucian's booted foot tapped my insole sharply, and I realized my inclination to stomp him during this exchange was mutual.
"Pity," the woman said, not taking her eyes off Lucian. "If you're bored later and your boy goes to bed early, I live just five huts down. The one with the ivy covered well in front on the right. I'm sure I could find you something else good to eat."
She was lucky it took a full minute for me to process those words because it gave Lucian time to change the subject.
"Seems like a nice place. Quiet," he observed. "Don't get a lot of visitors here, then?"
She shrugged, clearly not interested in the change of subject. "Yep. Boring here, all the time. We had some emissaries of the king come through yesterday. Apparently, another of the harem girls has gone missing."
"Another?" he asked, one inky brow arched. "Were there more before that?"
"Well, this one seems to have run off with her tutors, but the others..." she lowered her voice and looked around surreptitiously, "it's just rumors, see. But you know how every so often, one of the harem girls doesn't work out or isn't a match for the king? Supposedly, they're either given a cottage in the kingdom or sent back home if they wish. Except one of those were from Wilkenshire, and the other from the next village over, Eldsmere. And what I can tell you is this. Their families both traveled to the kingdom to visit them and they were nowhere to be found. And if they were ever sent home? They never made it."
She leaned back, her expression grim and her flirtatious demeanor gone.
"But those are just rumors, I'm sure."
Lucian shook his head. "No matter the cause, sad for the families. I'm sorry to hear it."
He thanked her again for her wares and we strolled away.
"That was interesting," I mumbled, pulling up close beside him so as not to be overheard.
"Very," he replied, making his way toward a wooden structure with a sign that read McTavish's Inn.
I followed closely, keeping my head low as we stepped into the building and up to the long, oak bar.
The place was dank and loud considering it wasn't quite dinnertime, and I risked a glance around.
Men and women alike sat on stools with pints before them, talking loudly and laughing. The barkeep approached us as he swiped at a copper mug with a dirty rag.
"Help you?" he asked, ruddy face screwed up in suspicion.
"We'd like a room for the night," Lucian replied crisply.
The barkeep looked around the crowded room and snorted. "Yeah? And I'd like me wife to slap me arse and call me daddy, but we can't always get what we want, can we?" He slung the towel over his shoulder and then swiped at his nose with his forearm. "We're plum booked up, friend."
Lucian's gaze never faltered, but I could see the muscle ticking in his jaw.
Not a good sign. I'd seen it far too often, usually aimed at me, and I almost wanted to warn the poor bastard that he was tugging the wrong lion's chain.
"I misspoke," Lucian said, his mouth flattening into a lethal grin. "What would it take to get us a room here tonight, good sir?"
I blinked at him, once again blindsided by the newer, softer side of Lucian.
I averted my gaze as the barkeep looked us over more closely.
"You have gold?" he demanded, hiking a bushy gray brow up high.
"We do," Lucian said with a clipped nod.
"You can have my room for two gold pieces, and I'll bunk with one of me girls then."
Two gold pieces would've bought every room in the place for a week, but Lucian didn't blink.
"You'll have fresh bedding laid, the room cleaned, provide us with food and drink in clean cups and trenchers first for that price."
The barkeep's eyes went wide and Lucian dropped two gold on the bar. He snatched them up quickly and stuffed them into his pocket. His demeanor changed instantly as he straightened.
"Absolutely, sir. Sit and I'll get you a round and some vittles."
Lucian led me to a table and I sat, shaking my head in awe.
"I've got to admit it," I said quietly. "I'm impressed."
His lips twitched but he didn't smile as he cocked his head. "And why is that, little one?"
"I never would've pegged you for a diplomat, but you handle people so well."
We both went quiet as the barkeep came and set two pints of ale on the table before rushing off again.
"Strange, you didn't seem impressed when I was talking to the baker earlier," he murmured, inspecting his mug before pausing to take a sip.
My cheeks went hot and I shrugged. "Okay, so I got a little jealous. To be fair, she was practically throwing it at you."
"And what, pray tell, would ‘it’ be?" he asked, that dimple making a second appearance for just an instant.
The sight of it sent a tingle through me that I clapped back, still irritated with his flirtation.
"It. Her...goods, if you will." I took a gulp from my mug and tapped my fingers on the table between us restlessly. "You didn't have to be so damned charming, that's all I'm saying."
"And you better calm down because with your cheeks so rosy and your eyes flashing, you look nothing like the little boy you're pretending to be."
His gaze trailed over my face hungrily and the breath caught in my chest.
"I can't deny it, little one," his voice was gritty with need, "I like you jealous. Bad news for you, I guess."
Before I could ask what he meant by that, the barkeep came over and set two steaming bowls before us along with a fat loaf of crusty bread.
"Enjoy!" he said with a gap-toothed grin.
When he bustled off again, I couldn’t help but marvel aloud. "I was sure you were going to shake some sense into him when he was so rude to you."
"And call attention to us? Nope. We're here for information, not to crack skulls."
I nodded, realizing how smart and calculating his decisions had been.
In fact, since we'd left, all of the Saint John brothers had shown that they were so much more than courtesans and servants of the king. They were were good men. What an amazing combination, and my heart swelled.
I swallowed back a lump in my throat and forced a smile. "In the end, if we have to fight? It will be an honor to fight with you at my side, Lucian.”
Chapter 5
Once we'd eaten our stew, which had been surprisingly tasty, the barkeep led us up to our room.
I wasn't holding out high hopes but found myself pleasantly surprised to find a plain but clean room. Little in the way of decoration, but with a large, freshly plumped mattress and freshly laundered linens on top.
"I'll need the room key. And can you have some hot water sent up for a bath?"
The barkeep opened his mouth, his eyes gleaming with greed as he handed over the black, iron key, but Lucian cut him off at the pass.
"Don't even think of asking me for more coin, or you'll live to regret it."
And there it was. The Lucian that had been in hiding. I could only guess that he'd let a bit of him out because being pegged as weak or a mark was also calling attention to one's self, in a way.
The barkeep seemed to agree because he shrugged and grinned. "Can't blame a man for trying. Bath water'll be right up."
He closed the door behind him, leaving me alone with Lucian.
"So what do you think?" I asked softly, keeping my voice low until I heard the footsteps ring out of earshot. "It seems like they didn't recognize us, at least."
"True."
But as he slung his bag onto the floor in the corner of the room, I could tell he wasn't as optimistic as I was.
"What is it?" I asked, stepping closer and touching a hand to his tightly bunched shoulder.
He turned, his gaze hooded as he regarded me. "I was surprised at what the baker told us, to be honest. Some might even call her words treason. Seems like something one might be hesitant to tell a stranger...unless, of course, that's the way of things this far south. Are people not nearly as enamored of our king as he would have us believe?"
"To be fair, she was sweet on you," I countered, peering up at him as an ugly twinge of jealousy shot through me again. This time, though, I ignored it. "I think she would've told you just about anything you wanted to hear if just for the pleasure of more time in your company." He nodded thoughtfully and stepped back as I hurried to add, "In any case, we got some good information. We know the king has sent his men at least this far to find us, which means we need to stay vigilant."
"And we shall. But there's more information to be had here. I can feel it." There was a knock at the door and Lucian strode forward to open it. He stepped aside as three maids came in, one hoisting a large wooden soaking basin, the two others carrying yokes of steaming water on their shoulders.
"You wanted a bath, sir?" one of them asked, setting her burden on the floor with a smile.
"It's for the boy," he replied. "Just set it down, thanks."
The ladies bustled off and Lucian turned to the water, picking up one of the towels and dunking it into a steaming bucket. He squeezed out the excess water and then, with easy efficiency, he stripped off his shirt.
His naked chest was magnificent, a wall of muscle and sinew that led to a washboard stomach. The muscles there were bisected by a thin trail of black hair that led to the tie in his britches that made my fingers twitch.
Just looking at him in all his thickly muscled glory made my stomach dip and my nipples strain against my bindings.
He seemed oblivious to my attention as he swiped the cloth over his face, neck and arms.
"You're about to get an eyeful, little one, so prepare yourself or look away," he said as his fingers drifted over his stomach to deftly unlace the knot that held his britches up on his lean hips.
I wasn't sure which to do. He'd been very clear, we'd come here on a mission. But did that mean we couldn't lie together? I chewed on my bottom lip as his laces came undone, baring him bit by luscious bit.
"If you're going to watch, though, can you not look like you want to swallow me whole?" he asked, his tone deepening as he shoved his pants down to his ankles. He swiped quickly over his powerful thighs and calves and then took his swollen member into his towel-covered hand.
"I-I'm sorry," I murmured, looking away and trying to get control of my breathing. "I thought...I mean, I wasn't sure if..."
"If I still plan to punish you?" he asked, his tone nearing a dark whisper now.
I sneaked a glance out of the corner of my eye in time to see him stroke himself up and down as he watched me.
"I do, Anaya. There will be no escaping that, or how will you ever learn?" He let out a low growl and released his cock. It sprang back, thick and proud, against his belly button as he bent and yanked up his trousers again. "But first, I need to go out for a while. The bath is yours. You can wash the road off you. I won't be too long."
I let out a shuddering sigh as I turned to face him full on as he yanked a clean shirt from his bag and pulled it over his head.
"Where are you going? And why must I stay here?" I asked, suddenly panicked at the thought of being alone and almost just as panicked at the thought of where he might be going.
"We came here for information, and I mean to get it. If this village isn't loyal to the king, it could be one of many. If he is even less scrupulous than he seems, then he shouldn't have the throne. Which is fortunate for us, because our best chance of prevailing isn't to evade him, or expect to take him on in battle. It's to overthrow him and find a new ruler."
The words echoed through, resonating so deeply, that I could only nod my assent.
"I need to find out more and having a young boy with a potentially loose tongue at my side will only curtail those conversations." He strode toward me and tossed the damp cloth beside one of the buckets. "Lock the door behind me, and let no one in. I don't care if it's a maid or the barkeep or even someone who says they're one of my brothers. Do you understand me, Anaya?"
He asked, bending low to meet my gaze head on.
"All right. I promise." I nodded and accepted the key he pressed into my hand as I wet my lips. "B-but where are you going?"
"To the baker's hut, of course," he said with a wink. He strode out the door and closed it behind him, just quickly enough that the boot I'd sent sailing after him bounced off the wood and fell harmlessly to the floor.
Bloody hell.
For the next hour, I stewed, both figuratively and literally, soaking in the hot water while my temper boiled.
It was silly, to be sure. We were only here at all because of me. And Lucian had to share me with three other men, and did it without complaint.
But this was different.
I bit the inside of my cheek hard to keep from crying. He wasn't my mate. He'd made me no promises besides to protect and care for me, and he'd done both of those things time and time again.
So why did the thought of him alone with the gorgeous creature make my heart feel like it was cracking in two?
I let out a groan and wriggled low until I could dunk my whole head under the water and I stayed under until the urge to weep passed. When I emerged, I bent and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around me.
I was out of that awful binding, I was going to sleep in a bed, and I had a belly full of hearty, rich stew. Just because one of the men I loved might be licking and sucking and screwing his way through Wilkenshire didn't mean I had a right to be sad. Those missing harem girls who might never see their families again? Those that had died mysteriously while under the protection of the king?
That was sad. And that was what I had to remember. We had a purpose here bigger than the both of us. If it took Lucian's body to get us closer to our goal, so be it.
There was a low knock at the door and my whole body tensed.
"Who is it?" I called, padding swiftly to my pile of clothes and tugging out the dagger tucked in one pocket.
"Lucian. Open up."
I paused, hesitating as I glanced up at the clock.
Eighty-three minutes. He'd been at the woman's house for nearly ninety minutes. Unless she was reading him the Holy Bible in its entirety, what in blazes could he have been doing there besides...
"I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to let anyone in," I called back sweetly.
The silence that met me was a stony one, and I hurried closer to the door, realizing I might've pushed my luck. I reached out to turn the lock but before I could manage it, the door hinges let out a squeal as they buckled and then split open.
I tugged the towel around me more tightly and jumped backward.
"Lucian, I..."
He lifted the now unhinged door to the side, stepped in without a word and then pushed it back into place.
When he faced me, his gaze was hot but his mouth was unsmiling.
"One of these days, little one, you're going to need to learn when not to press," he said, his voice low and silky as he stalked toward me. "I think today is that day."
I took another stumbling step backward.
"M-maybe we should fix the door quick. Anyone could come in and that wouldn't be good at all," I stuttered, my pulse beating like the wings of a trapped hummingbird.
He turned and with one, mighty shove, moved the massive chest of drawers in front of the door.
"It will keep out as many as the lock would, I imagine," he replied conversationally. "Now where were we?"
I wet my lips and raked a trembling hand through my short cap of hair. "I think we were about to sit and talk so you could tell me about what you learned?"
He shook his head slowly, his gaze hot on mine. "I don't think so."
He took a step closer and I took one back.
"Actually, if I recall, I was about to teach you a lesson about being so damned impulsive."
He took another step closer, and I another back. This time, though, my thighs grazed the mattress.
Which meant there was nowhere to go from here but the bed.
