Page 29 of To Bleed A Kingdom

Cocking my head to the side, I squint up at the sign, wondering how an eyeball could possibly resemble a cunt. “My pussy sure as fuck doesn't look like that.”

Darius and Amara both laugh.

“It’s a pussy weeping with pleasure,” Kace says as if it's obvious, then sighs dramatically. “It's a common issue for me.”

“Or crying from dissatisfaction,” Amara quips.

Kace gasps.

“Don't listen to them,” Zander says, narrowing his eyes on Amara as he rubs Kace’s back. “You're a very handsome male. I'm sure you make all the women weep with pleasure.”

“That's kind of you to say,” Kace replies, patting above Zander’s bulging pec. “You're quite handsome yourself.”

Zander puffs his chest out, preening.

“There’s two of them,” Tristan says, and I laugh at the look ofhorror on the normally stoic man’s face.

Kace tosses an arm across Zander's shoulders and tugs him to his side, heading toward the brothel. “Let me explain the basics.” Wholly engrossed in his words, Zander nods earnestly.“Tally, Milly, and Vita are always good for a spin, but you're going to want to avoid Elva for the next few weeks. Unless you don't mind having a rash on your… Ladies!” Kace’s arms whip up, his words trailing off. “I've brought a friend.” All the courtesans cheer and throw themselves at both males, peppering them with kisses.

There really are two of them.

Shaking my head, I look at a chuckling Darius, who appears just as amused as I am by our absurd friends.

“There's the Early Bird Inn.” He motions with his head towards a building that looks to be quite older than the ones surrounding it. I scrunch up my nose when I see it.

The Early Bird Inn is one of the few structures I've seen that wasn’t built with this kingdom’s signature white stone. But while the lack of stone ornamenting the pub and a few of the other shops was a conscious choice rather than a lack of coin, the two-story inn constructed of all dark wood may not be able to say the same. With its fraying wood, missing shingles, and a dilapidated wraparound porch, its neglect is more than apparent. It’s the first building I've seen since arriving in Seboia that hasn't been pristinely maintained.

“An inn across the street from a brothel.” I snort. “That's convenient.”

Darius chuckles. “Lords love visiting Seboia. Their wives, not so much.”

We share a smile, following behind Amara and Tristan as we silently make our way towards the inn, but my smile lessens the closer we get. Palms sweaty, heart galloping, I trail behind Amara and Tristan up the stairs. The rickety porch voices its protest with creaks and groans as it struggles to bear our weight. Tristan opens the door, a bell tolling his arrival as he and Amara disappear inside, while I turn to face Darius who’s still loitering at the bottom of the steps.

Without looking in his direction, Darius waves Griffin on and we both listen to the sound of his retreating boots as we stare wordlessly at one another.

A niggling of doubt suddenly creeps in, its warning strengthening in volume the longer I stare into those glacial blue eyes. I’m not sure why. It’s not like I’m a stranger to casual sex. Far from it, actually. It’s the only way I do have relations. Although, now that I think about it, that could be the reason why, as I doubt anything involving Darius could remain casual.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my leathers, slickening the supple hide as trepidation rears its head, churning in a whirlwind along with the doubt and fear. Fear that he is someone I won’t be able to forget, not easily, at least, as is the case with any male I’ve bedded in the past. Because I have to forget him. I have to forget everyone.

Still, I can’t help but hesitate, wondering if one night could scratch the itch of what I know will be a long, sweaty night that'll leave me sore and walking bow-legged the following morning, yet supremely satisfied.

“Well…” I clear my throat. “It was an interesting night.”

“It was.”

His burning gaze searches mine and I see my own reluctance reflecting back at me, as well as the obviousness of my hesitation when a soft smile tilts his lips.

“Goodnight, Lena.”

Disappointed but knowing it's for the best, I reply quietly, “Goodnight, Darius.”

Ignoring my need, I turn away while I'm still capable and listen to the chime above the door as I open it and the groans as it slams shut. Shutting my eyes, I drop my head back onto the wood as I try to convince myself and my deprived cunt I made the right decision.

A disconcerting thought suddenly enters my mind and my eyes snap open. Diving towards the window, I pay no mind to the moth-eaten curtains as I peek out into the night.

My chest expands and my breaths halt in my lungs as I watch Darius and Griffin walk side by side down the street. One step. Two steps. Three steps. Then I exhale in audible relief when I see them pass by the brothel without stopping.

“What are you doing?”

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