“Don’t do that,” he rasped, breath hot against herear.
Ren’wyn grinned and squirmed again.
Fael grabbed her hip with rough sensuality.“Ren’wyn,” he groaned, “too many people cansee.”
His strained tone made her laugh, and she leaned back against his solid chest, staring in wonder at the distant silver glimmer.
They reached the city wall half an hour later, stone and mortar stretching forty feet high.Ren’wyn stared in amazement as Fael paid two burly men a small fee to enter.Both had large brands on their necks in the shape of a seven-pointed star, and anyone entering the gate received that same symbol inked onto the back of theirhand.
Fael took a moment to pull half his hair back into a leather strap, clearing his periphery as he scanned the streets for danger.
His description of the city had been accurate.Inside the walls, the houses were small and cramped, with stunted flowers struggling to grow in patchy window boxes.A rush of foul stench hit her, and Ren’wyn wrinkled hernose.
Fael passed Patina off to a stable boy, then curved his arm possessively around her as he led them through the grimy streets.
The following similar, smaller stone walls divided the territories of the criminal families from one another.Fael kept her close, his physical proximity calming the agitation bubbling low within him—evidenced by the sharp glimmer in his hazel eyes through thehaze.
Walking confidently with a half smirk, Fael looked every bit the rogue Riva demanded.His tight black leggings hugged the defined muscles of his legs, and the deeply cut neckline of his shirt revealed the strong lines of his chest.
Ren’wyn was glad her hair was off her neck now.It kept her from complete misery in the humidity.As it was, she was sweating, beads rolling down her spine and forehead.
By the time they reached the last district, Ren’wyn thought she might never smell fresh air again—the scent of fish soured the atmosphere.Her hand bore five distinct ink markings after five taxes, and she rolled her shoulders to ease the pent-up anxiety from the checkpoints.
“Thanks,” Ren’wyn whispered, and Fael raised an eyebrow.
“For taking me through the city,” she clarified.“I appreciate that I could do it withyou.”
He smiled sweetly.
What Ren’wyn didn’t mention was the guttering sensation in her power, simmering low in her stomach.It wasn’t from anything she could pinpoint—it was like a clinging humidity on her magic itself.She kept breathing, letting it settle rather than fighting back.She’d bring it up once they were somewhere safer.Perhaps at theinn.
They rounded a corner, and Ren’wyn finally glimpsed the bay down a long, hilly road.She halted, frozen, staring at the water covered like a porcupine with masts for quills.Boats sailed through the mouth of the bay, and the humid, hazy air shimmered in the afternoon sunshine.
“It’s darker than I thought,” she breathed as Fael leaned against a lamppost, taking in the view.“The water, I mean.I always pictured tealblue.”
“The sewage and dead fish don’t help,” Fael said with a shrug.“Some places are teal in the shallows, but the Rivan Bay is never anything but murky brown.”
Ren’wyn wrinkled her nose at the image forming in her mind—dead fish and sewage swirled and pushed by boats.
They took two more turns into a wide, clean street.Though hazy, Ren’wyn spotted the sign for theSkipperhanging a few hundred feet ahead.
Inside, the inn smelled of lemon soap and furniture polish.The sharp, clean scent was a welcome relief from the fishy, wet smell outside, and Ren’wyn took a long, deep breath.Ceiling fans drifted lazily above them, moving the air, powered by tidal generators outside the bay—just as Fael had explained.The gentle breeze cooled her sweaty neck and shoulders.
“Ren’wyn,” came Esrin’s smiling voice behindher.
Esrin and Zev stood just beyond the dining area.Both had water, and Zev was eating a strange tropical fruit.
Fael was still paying the innkeeper, so Ren’wyn crossed the room with a broad smile.She grabbed Zev around the middle, hugging him tight and laughing as he jumped, clearly uncomfortable with the contact.
His broad hand patted her awkwardly.“Hello, little mage,” he chuckled, his voice affectionate.
She broke the hug and swept Esrin into her arms.He stiffened, pushing her away with an odd smile.
“Ren,” he greeted, nodding before offering another to Fael across theroom.
Fael shook their hands before taking Ren’wyn’s.“I paid for you to use the bathing room,” he told her with a proud smile, handing her the key.“I’m going to have something to drink and wander the streets to reacquaint myself with the district.”
Ren’wyn flew up the stairs, rushing to the tiny bathing chamber in the hall.She enjoyed a long shower, washing her hair twice.The water was perfect—cool but not cold—and her pink Luremalan outfit felt breezy and fresh as she headed back downstairs.
