Page 25 of Blood on the Tide

“As long as there’s hot water and a bed at the end of that conversation.” I follow her to the inn.

“Hello.” Maeve approaches the small pale man behind the counter. He’s perhaps four feet tall with a massive green beard that curls almost playfully. There are rings and small items braided into both his beard and the equally green hair that reaches his shoulders. It’s... charming. How irritating.

Maeve leans on the counter and gives him a sweet smile. “Ralph, right?”

His smile doesn’t dim, but his expression sharpens a little. “I’m good with faces. Know everyone who’s been through my doors since I took over this business from my parents. I’ve never seen you before.”

I tense, but Maeve just laughs charmingly. “You’ve got a good eye. No, I’ve never been to Khollu before, but we have a mutual friend.”

If anything, his eyes narrow further. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to ask for a discount?”

“Nox sent me,” she says simply.

Just like that, his irritation fades away. He looks at Maeve with new interest, pausing to give me the same cursory glance. “How is that one? Pain in my ass if I do say so myself.”

“Still a pain in the ass. Still fighting the good fight, if you know what I mean.” She holds out a hand. “I’m Maeve. My family runs the tavern in Viedna.”

“You’re Maeve. I see. I’ve heard plenty about you from our... mutual friend.” He nods. “Well, I suppose I can put you up in a room, but it’s going on their tab. If you’re lying, I’ll let them hunt you down for repayment.”

I glance between them. Surely he’ll take more convincing than that? Maeve barely mentioned Nox and didn’t even use a code word or anything as far as I can tell. But there’s a bath in my near future, so I stay silent.

Maeve smiles, all sweetness and charm. “I don’t suppose you’ll throw in a bath and a meal or two for the cause?”

He snorts. “Can’t very well have you ruining my mattress with...” His gaze flicks over our filthy clothing. “I’ll have my girl bring up something to change into. It’s not fancy, but it’ll do in a pinch. That’s the best I can do.”

“We appreciate it greatly. All of us.”

The room we’re led to isn’t much to look at, but it’s clean and has one narrow bed. There’s barely enough space to fit the copper bath that the innkeeper hauls in. He has more strength than I would’ve anticipated, and it makes me watch him warily. I should know better than to underestimate someone based on their appearance. I certainly don’t look like someone who could lift a small car, and yet I’m more than capable of it.

Neither Maeve nor I speak while we wait for the bath to be filled. Once again, I’m reminded of how spoiled I’ve been on the Audacity. Nox provides indoor plumbing and hot showers, so I’ve never had to worry about how someone heats the water when there’s no faucet. It’s definitely not an experience I look forward to repeating.

The innkeeper straightens with a huff. “There. The tub is spelled to clean the water and keep it at a reasonable temperature. Give a holler when you’re done.” He walks out the door and closes it behind him without waiting for a response.

“You can take the first bath. I’m going to look around,” Maeve says carefully.

I grab her wrist before she takes more than a single step. “Don’t think for a second that you’re leaving this room without me.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m hardly going to go steal a ship on my own and sail off without you.”

That wasn’t what I meant. It never even occurred to me that she would leave me behind. But we’re in a new place filled with strangers, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last couple weeks, it’s that the dangers of Threshold are infinite. Maeve is practically human, which means she’s practically defenseless. Gods, I met her when rescuing her after she was taken captive.

“We stay together.” Admitting that I’m worried about her feels too vulnerable. I’m not even sure how I feel about that worry. Maeve is no pushover, and she’s got that spine of steel, but she’s soft right down to her center. If she wasn’t, that bastard of a sailor never would have had a chance to take advantage; she would have seen him coming a mile away. People will look at her and see a mark. I won’t let it happen.

She glares at where I hold her wrist, but I don’t drop my grip. Finally, she sighs. “You’re being intentionally difficult and I don’t understand why.”

“It’s basic survival skills, baby. We stick together and watch each other’s backs.” I can’t help the hint of flirtation that weaves its way into my words. While I don’t normally hold myself back from taking what I want—and I sure as fuck want Maeve—there’s too many factors in play to be so careless with this woman. Her skin. My jewels. Our timeline. The last shouldn’t make a difference, and yet it is something that I’m considering all the same.

“Whatever you say.” She jerks her wrist out of my grip and walks over to the bed but seems to think better of sitting on the clean sheets a moment before she sits down. “Take your bath, Lizzie. I promised you one, and frankly, you stink.”

“Surprised you can smell me over your own rankness.”

“Yes, yes, I’m aware.” She waves a hand in my direction as she moves to the small window that looks out on the purple trees. Just seeing them makes my nose start itching, so I turn away.

I should let her take the tub first. It would be the kind thing to do, but I’m not fucking kind, and if I don’t get clean right this second, I might start screaming. Or I might truly set fire to those fucking trees. I sneeze again. “Damn it.”

“Lizzie.”

“I’m going, I’m going.”

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