Page 83 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

I smile at the shock in his voice, wondering if Royce has ever seen an alicorn up close. Or ever expected me to arrive in his front yard wearing Flighthaven gear.

“Hello, Royce. I got your letter.” I gesture between Thorne and me. “And we’re here to help with the food pantry.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Once Royce stops gaping, he excuses himself to tell his wife he’s going out.

A few minutes later, he returns. “Why don’t we talk at the tavern? I have a shed with a few stalls around back. We can put your…alicorn,” he nods at Zephyr, “in there. There’s plenty of hay.”

“Thank you. I’m sure he would like that.” I rub Zephyr’s neck, glad he’ll have hay to munch on while we speak with Royce. The alicorn certainly deserves it.

After Royce shoos some chickens out of the way, he tosses an armful of hay on the ground. Thorne unbridles Zephyr before securing him in the enclosure.

Raucous laughter spills from the rustic tavern as we approach. Inside, flickering torches light the main room, casting shadows on the rough-hewn wooden tables and benches. The thick air carries the scent of cheap liquor and roasted meat.

The patrons are both men and women, some cloaked to conceal their identities. Around the cozy space, at least half a dozen card games are in progress. A chorus of shouts and whistles erupts when one man wins a round.

Royce leads us to a table in the back, nodding to a few men as he passes. He gestures for us to sit, and I slide onto the bench first. Thorne takes a seat next to me while Royce heads to the bar to get our drinks.

A few tables away, a young woman with a low-cut scarlet gown and lips painted to match sits atop a man’s lap. Her companion whispers something in her ear as his thumb skims across the underside of her breast. She arches her back, blond curls cascading down her shoulders as she giggles. I can’t wrench my eyes away as the man’s hand trails up the woman’s bare leg and vanishes under her skirt.

What would Thorne do if I climbed into his lap like that? Would he protest, or would he engage in scandalous activities?

I picture us sitting there instead. My temperature spikes. Beneath the table, Thorne’s thigh presses against mine as he leans down. “It’s not polite to stare.”

My face burns, and my gaze snaps to his. “I know. Sorry, I?—”

“I’m only teasing.” I could get lost in his throaty laugh. “I doubt they’re very aware of their surroundings at the moment.”

“Oh.” I twist my hands in my lap, fighting the desire to pull my hood over my head and hide my face.

“That’s twice tonight.”

“What?”

“That’s the second time you’ve been speechless. And I find it rather adorable.”

I draw my eyebrows together. “Why would you find that…adorable?”

He shrugs. “You just look so innocent when you’re at a loss for words. It’s endearing.”

Innocent? Endearing? He’s describing a five-year-old girl. My nose wrinkles. “You’re ridiculous.”

He grins, the gesture softening the angles of his handsome face. “Tell me something. Did you come here often before you started at Flighthaven?”

“No. This is actually my first time.”

“Let me guess. A place like this is too crude and boisterous for your…delicate sensibilities.” The words echo what he’d said on my first day at Flighthaven, but this time, they hold no malice.

I snort. “Hate to disappoint you, but I amnotdelicate.” How do I explain I wasn’t allowed to go, well, anywhere? “And I…my mother wouldn’t let me come…here.”

“Ah, well, you’re here now. So what do you think?”

My gaze flicks to the scantily clad woman. The man’s hand is hidden under her dress, moving in slow circles between her thighs.

My gods.

Thorne follows my gaze and clears his throat. “Well?”

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