He clenched his hands into fists.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to eat?” Wain prodded again.
Zelli wondered if he looked hungry. He supposed he must. He shook his head anyway, which made him trip.
“Enough,” Tahlen barked. Then his hands were on Zelli’s waist and Zelli nearly bit his tongue in his fight to keep his reaction to himself. Tahlen lifted Zelli onto Starfall and frowned until Zelli stopped struggling and settled in the saddle.
The others were all facing different directions again. Some of Zelli’s moan must have escaped.
Tahlen tore at the clasp of his cloak but was gentle when he draped the length of the cloak across Zelli’s lap.
Zelli stared at the white knuckles of his own hands, then Tahlen’s fingers, the thickness of them, the grace in Tahlen’s movements. He looked away, but likely not before Tahlen noticed.
The cloak hid Zelli’s state of physical arousal, but Tahlen had noticed that too. That was why the cloak was there.
“I’m sorry,” Zelli whispered.
Tahlen shook his head once. “We’ll talk later.” He didn’t ask. He also took hold of the reins, then led Starfall forward.
Zelli wore his hood low and had hunched his shoulders by the time they started to pass houses on the outskirts of the village. In need of direction, the former Lyralinah guards had slowed to walk on either side of Starfall, although their attention stayed pointedly elsewhere. Zelli wanted to thank them but kept silent, worrying his bottom lip until it bled.
The sun had set and the fog dimmed the light that remained, but Zelli wrapped his cloak around himself and kept a tight hold on Tahlen’s. He should offer to give it back, but didn’t do that, either.
Some villagers had seen them and must have darted ahead to speak to Mayor Sar, because she came out from the inn with a lantern in hand to meet them.
The warm orange glow from within said the inn had customers. Zelli did not know whether to be relieved or beg to enter through a back door. But that was not the sort of thing a Tialttyrin did. He only wished… but it was no good wishing, as he’d learned.
“Mizel.” Mayor Sar greeted Zelli with a smile that began to fall when she glanced from him to Tahlen. “I wasn’t sure when we’d see you again, or if you were going to continue to the other side of the valley.”
Zelli had to clear his throat. “We’ve found some strangers in need of help.” He made it an announcement since the whole village was no doubt listening or would hear of it. “I would greatly appreciate it if they were fed and given a place to sleep. Even a warm barn would do, if there is no room elsewhere. Oh, and baths if they desire them.” He paused. “I don’t have coin on me, but if you prepare a bill, payment will be sent back.”
“We don’t want to be any trouble,” Let interjected stiffly. “We can offer our services, those of us who can.”
Mayor Sar gave Let a study, then a smile, before turning her attention once more to Zelli. “Bree left. In the direction of your family’s holding, though I’ve no idea if she went there.”
Zelli nodded and looked at Mayor Sar from beneath from the edge of his hood. “There might be other riders in the valley. I’d ask that you stay wary but put no one at risk. There is nothing else to be done about them yet. If they come here and insist upon questions, then tell them to ask The Tialttyrin. Grandmother will not be pleased. But there isn’t much else I could do. I think she might have done the same in my place.”
Mayor Sar’s gaze drifted to Tahlen. Her eyebrows went up. She finally turned to Zelli again, gesturing in welcome even while she grew concerned. “Are you well?”
“Mizel will also need a room,” Tahlen cut in. “And food, even if he chooses to leave himself out of that discussion. Is the room he had before available?”
Mayor Sar’s expression indicated that the room would have been available even if someone else had paid for it, exactly as Let had said, and probably as both Tahlen and the mayor knew well. Beyond the mayor, several inn patrons had come to the door. Zelli identified Kat Ryssa and her cool smile and hunched his shoulders even more.
He slipped from Starfall and landed with a stumble, but it was kinder to everyone than letting Tahlen help him down in his current state. He kept Tahlen’s cloak and held it to his chest, the length of cloth shielding him from even more embarrassment. He looked only at the mayor. “If you can, I’d like that cold-water bath tonight. Please.”
“Of course,” Mayor Sar answered, gentle and probably confused. She glanced over Zelli’s shoulder to where Tahlen was either expressionless or glowering… or gazing with pleasure at the much less troublesome Kat Ryssa.
“I’ll see to everything while you bathe, Zelli.” Tahlen’s tone was not exactly bland, but Zelli wasn’t sure any others would have heard the concern behind the offer.
Zelli nodded quickly without turning. “Thank you, Tahlen. I… thank you.”
Then the mayor stepped back to lead the way and clear some of the inn’s customers from Zelli’s path, and Zelli followed her as closely as he dared.
Fourteen
The cold water shocked Zelli’s mind into clarity and offered relief from the fever, although he shuddered uncontrollably as he dried and redressed in some of his dusty traveling clothes.
Mayor Sar was outside the bath room when he emerged, and escorted him to the same bedroom he’d had before with the air of someone pointedly not prying. It was her own discretion or Tahlen’s request. Zelli was grateful either way, and gave her a quick smile when she revealed his packs had been brought to his room, and a fire lit, and that a tray with butter, bread, and tea waited for him.
