“Something you could hide behind. Everyone would notice your beautiful hair and beautiful clothes and they never actually saw you.”
That took me aback.
“But now, you have nothing to hide behind, Princess.” Shadow smiled. “And I have a feeling you’re going to shine.”
She was trying to make me feel better, but it didn’t work. This was a disaster.
“C’mon,” Shadow said.
“Why,” I asked warily, afraid she was going to surprise me with a training session. After the day I’d had with Hammer, I’d probably collapse if forced to do any kind of physical activity.
“You look like you need a drink,” she responded. “And, lucky for you, I know just where we can go.”
Chapter Thirteen
We entered the busy tavern, long wooden tables and chairs filling the space. A bar sat to the right of the entrance, a barmaid sliding tankards of ale to thirsty patrons.
“No,” I said to Shadow. “I drink wine. If there’s a feast. And only a few sips, at most.”
“Princess,” Shadow said, “trust me when I say you more than anyone in this room need some alcohol.”
She strode toward the bar, and I had no choice but to follow, pushing past both men and women who stared at me. I patted my short hair as Shadow leaned on the bar top and ordered us two mugs of ale.
Maybe she was right. I was stuck somewhere in Mosswood Forest, kidnapped by the king of thieves, being forced to train to become a thief. At this point, drinking ale would be the least offensive thing I’d done.
I took the tankard. Foamy amber liquid sloshed over the side and splattered to the scuffed wooden floor, sticky with alcohol. Shadow led me to one of the tables, and I noticed many of theacademy members were there, including Hammer, Arrow, and Wayfinder, who was currently cozied up to a man I assumed must be his boyfriend, neither of them paying any attention to the rest of us.
“Love the hair,” Arrow said, blowing me a kiss.
I shot her a fake smile and plopped down, back straight and hands folded in my lap as I surveyed the room. Chandeliers that looked like they were made from antler horns hung from the ceilings, candles burning bright and lighting the space. Chatter filled the tavern, a few men at a nearby table roaring with laughter, others playing cards, and what looked like two lovers twined together in the corner. It made me miss Jasper.
“I think it suits you,” Charming said, sending me a wink from across the table, his skin so smooth and pale, not a mark or blemish on him.
I leaned forward, taking another sip of my drink. “And how did you earn your nickname?”
I was starting to enjoy hearing these stories of how the thieves got their names. Hammer’s had come from when he punched a wall of ice in the frost court and broke it clean in half, stunning the frost person he was fighting so much the poor guy actually fainted.
“Because every woman he meets falls in love with him,” Hammer said, slapping Charming on the back. “He woos ’em and then disappears, leaving behind broken hearts and empty vaults.”
The table roared with laughter at that.
“That’s awful,” I sputtered.
It also made a lot of sense. I’d always heard the king of thieves was dashing, that women often threw themselves at his feet. I couldn’t imagine Penn wooing anyone, but Charming? I could absolutely see how he’d earned that reputation. Charming seemed to take no offense at what I’d said, now regaling the tableof thieves with a story about a time he charmed a noble woman who found out his identity and didn’t even care, giving him her jewels so that he didn’t even have to steal them. I just rolled my eyes when he finished, everyone else laughing.
Shadow elbowed me. “Relax. You’re so stiff. Do you need another trip to the hot springs?”
I cleared my throat, attempting to slouch, but I couldn’t relax in this place, surrounded by these thieves.
“Good, you’re all here,” Penn said from behind me.
Everyone quieted, eyes wide as they took Penn in.
“Boss.” Hammer nodded.
“Hi, Penn.” Arrow wiggled her fingers.
Penn brought out a few scrolls and threw them on the table. “We have some things to discuss about the Huntsman. Word is he’s scouring the entire court for her. It won’t be long before he figures out we took her. We need to send decoys, something to throw off his scent.”
