I chuckle. “What could you be curious about, exactly? You’ve spoken to me for what… a few minutes? I’m not a courtesan.”
“I know you’re not a courtesan. But I am curious to know what your mouth tastes like… and that’s not the only reason.” He pulls back to look at me, his voice dipping low. “You look like you like it rough.”
A low heat suddenly travels down my body, settling at the apex of my thighs, and I’m forced to swallow the breath caught in my throat at how right that assumption is. I do like that, but how did he read me so well?
“I’d prefer you on your knees with your head between my legs.” I grin, throwing him a teasing wink. “I won’t be here tomorrow, but you’re more than welcome to think about me later.”
He exhales, the sound amusing as he assesses me, as if figuring out a way to change my mind. Then his attention shifts to the wall behind me. His head tilts, eyes narrowing almost like he’s listening to something and causing a whirl of unease to curl my stomach. With a quick glance around, I know we’re the only ones in this hall when his gaze lands on mine again.
“What if I said please? Are you going to make me beg for it?” he asks, almost breathlessly.
“You don’t look like the begging type.”
“I’m not.” He throws me a lazy half grin, so close to me that I catch the faint oakmoss that lingers on his skin. Then my eyes narrow as I actually begin to think about the request.
If he’s only in town for a few days, perhaps I wouldn’t have to see him all the time, meaning I wouldn’t be breaking any rules within the brotherhood. He also looks as if he has connections in the realm—he could help me discreetly search for my parents.
Another silent minute passes before I give him a small smirk, my eyes suddenly lingering on his lips.
“Fine. I’d hate to see you on your knees,begging. Tomorrow night, then,” I say.
A blur of someone walks past, but I don’t take my eyes off the mysterious male, searching his face. Then a throat clears in the doorway—Bess.
I glance to my left, meeting her gaze. She studies me with a raised brow, brown hair spilling over her shoulders, wearing loose linen clothes. A smirk slowly lines her mouth, and I realize that the male she was with was the one who walked by.
“Bess, hi!” I exclaim. The male in front of me steps away, leaving me feeling alone and cold against the wall.
“Tomorrow.” He nods to me, smirking as he turns away, then disappears into the private room across from us.
I shoot a quick glance at Bess with a small grin, brows raised as we exchange similar looks.
“Who wasthat?” she whispers with a wide grin, as if she wants to taste him as much as I do. “I’ve never seenhimbefore, and he was fully dressed. I don’t think he works here.” It’s not uncommon for guests to find pleasure with each other, but it’s usually the courtesans willingly offering the service.
“That is a good question…” I mumble.
“Oh, join me, please. I haven’t seen you in ages, and I need all the details of what that male did that has you looking like… that.” She points to my face, leaving me to chuckle after her.
I stride through the curtains and flop down, sinking into the lush pillows that rest on the large circular bed settled in the center. She secures her curtain with a hard flick, then hands me a glass of wine, a grin on her face.
“How was your trip to Nymara? Did you find anything?” she asks, her green eyes holding mine as she sits on my left, and I prop an elbow.
I shake my head, sipping. “Not yet, but I feel like I’m getting close. Turns out, not many know much about who my parents could be. Either one could have been human, but there’s really no way to know which one—or if my name is actually my own.”
Since I came from the orphanage, it’s impossible to know if my name was given to me by my parents or those at the orphanage. And without names to give them, searching for my parents has become… a challenge.
Dim light flickers in the room, casting streaks of orange along the walls as I silently sit with my words. Bess remains unaware of my real name as a part of the brothel’s rules, frequently calling me by common pet names likedarling.
The names don’t bother me, but I find myself wishing I could tell her more, as she only knows slivers of my life. Since the brothel rules only apply to masks, names, and weapons, Bess knows that I work for King Elion. Only I’ve told her that I remain in the castle as a house maiden as a way to keep my identity a secret.
Her brows suddenly pinch, as if not finding my parents is as painful for her as it is for me.
She frowns. “I’m sorry. I wish I could do more. Have you tried searching further north? I hear there are a few orphanages along the way to Eldryn.”
I shrug, taking another sip. “I’m not sure King Elion would allow me to leave for so long.”
Which is partially true. King Elion hasn’t sent me that far north yet, and Eldryn is almost two weeks away. The terrain is harsh, as it’s settled beyond Mount Pyre, but you have to travel through the two mountain peaks to arrive.
And there are only a few weeks out of the year when the weather is decent enough to make the trip there safely, as it’s coated in burning ice. It’s why Kiev and Selphira Blackwyth—the duke and duchess of Eldryn—hardly visit. It’s too much of a risk. But not only is the journey there rough, the Twin Valley sits between Eldryn and Alvonia. A valley that comes with its own difficulties when traveling.
