Tolek spoke over me, “Many people who enjoy some more depraved proclivities seek out pleasure houses for?—”
“For the love of the Angels, Tolek,” Lyria said, holding up a hand. “Please do not speak from personal experience.”
Tolek laughed at his sister, then directed at me, “Erista said it’s the most likely place to find Storytellers. Their magic thrives with the lack of restrictions.”
“Storytellers,” I muttered, looking down at the books I’d placed upon the table, then up at Mila, exchanging a knowing grin. “I guess we’re going to the pleasure house.”
“Thisis a pleasure house?”I muttered, my eyes widening at the large sandstone facade, intricate carvings creeping up the sides and around the window frames, most with thick curtains tightly drawn.
Mila laughed, brows raised. “You act as if you’ve never seen one?”
Ophelia and Tolek started up the grand staircase leading to the bronze-carved door, clouded glass marring the figures within. Lyria, Santorina, and Jezebel followed.
“I’ve seen them,” I quickly corrected.
Mila laughed again at my flustered response. “Oh, do you frequent them? Good to know.”
I blew out a breath as we climbed the steps to that looming doorway. “I meant that the brothels in Damenal and Palerman…from the outside, they were never so…” I waved a hand at the ornate decor. “Grand.”
It was a kind way to put the difference. The Damenal brothels were tucked on private streets on the edges of the Merchant Quarter alongside gambling dens, apothecaries-turned-vice-dealers, and other less than reputable establishments. The brothels were legitimate, at least. Just not quite so stately.
“You’re spending time indisagreeablebrothels, then?”
“Spirits, Mila,” I swore. “I’m not visiting any! It’s not to my taste.”
“Too good for it?” Mila asked.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” I grumbled. “But I preferred to meet women in taverns or shops.” The doors were heavy as I held them open for Mila after the others. They had to cost a fortune.
“So many women,” Mila whispered, shaking her head as she ducked beneath my arm to follow into the entryway, and I caught the teasing gleam in her eye.
“Pain in my ass,” I mumbled, and she released another low laugh.
It wasn’t that I thought myself too good for a brothel. But every damn day since I was imprisoned, I’d received pitying looks. If I was going to fuck someone, I didn’t want it to be in exchange for money. I wanted to be wanted. That twisting need I experienced when Mila looked at me the other night. How she’d looked at me every time since.
I didn’t say any of that as I stepped across the threshold into a dark hallway, thick violet curtains draping across windows, scarves tossed over mystlight lanterns to cast the entire space with a hazy hue. Stone archways lined the entryway, branching off into a maze of rooms and corridors, everything gleaming with rich textiles and fixtures.
I glanced back at those heavy doors. Definitely cost a fortune, then.
Stepping right up behind Mila, I whispered low in her ear, “Maybe there were other women before.” She shivered against me. “But not anymore.”
Mila looked over her shoulder from beneath her lashes, but her eyes weren’t on mine. They were locked on my lips as her own parted. So close, her exhale drifted across my skin.
“How committed of you,” she taunted.
I gripped her chin. “You expect anything else at this point?”
“You two are myfavoritesort of customers,” a sultry voice purred from my left.
Reluctantly, my attention whipped to a woman dressed in nothing more than a silk shawl. She leaned against the archway, her bronze skin glowing in the low mystlight, curves on display and dark hair tumbling over her breasts. But what really caught my attention was the hungry spark in her eye.
“What do you mean?” I asked, ignoring the curious stares of our friends and keeping one hand on Mila.
“Young and naive, but true feelings lie between the two. Always makes for a decadent evening.” The woman sauntered forward, dragging a finger over my shoulder. “So much jealousy to play with.”
Reflexively, my grip tightened on Mila. It didn’t escape the woman’s notice. “Oh, that is divine.” She held a hand toward the nearest archway. “Shall we?”
“Nolletta,” a voice snapped from the gloomy hall ahead. “You have a client coming tonight. Go bathe.”
