Page 31 of To No End

The room was exactly as I remembered, but this time, it held a lot more potential. I spent an inordinate amount of time lounging in the bath. It wasn’t remotely as nice as my own back home, but it did the trick.

Steam circled above the water and I tilted my head back to relax, but all I could think about were those Gods damned eels. What a fool I had been! I couldn’t believe I ever fell for that. I wondered what Trace was up to, down in the bar. Maybe the barmaid had returned with her antics, or perhaps he was playing an even worse prank and ditching me with the bill and a lonely room.

No. That was unlikely, not after seeing the sinister way he had looked at me when my soaked undergarments clung to every inch of my nude body, displaying me like a statue carved of pale stone.

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he wanted me. Was this his thing? Did he like playing hard to get? My undergarments were still damp and saturated with the unpleasant aroma of wet earth and stagnant water.

After exiting, I submerged them in the bathwater, wrung them out and hung them on a line in the washroom. I didn’t have many options in the way of clothing, since I had only packed a few things—which didn’t include extra undergarments.

What was I thinking? I buttoned some fitted trousers and threw on a loose blouse and another corseted vest to accentuate my curves. Snickering to myself, I recalled how I had shown up at Gris’s place with nothing underneath, and here I was again.

If Trace was going to be disappointed that he had nothing to peel off me, that was of his own making, and maybe he’d think twice next time. I braided my damp hair and looked back atthat tiny bed, taking a deep breath and reminding myself to be confident. You’ve got this.

Upon returning downstairs, I scanned the expanse of the room and discovered Trace occupying our booth. The thought of anything being ours delighted me more than I wanted to admit. I could see the sun in the early stages of setting outside the tiny windows.

The tavern had once again filled up with a lively crowd, all of them buzzing with conversation and sipping their beverages. This evening, a fiddler had taken up a spot on the other side of the bar and began playing a medley of merry tunes, hoping for anyone to spare a coin or two for his talents.

When I took my seat across from Trace, he had a glass of water waiting for me, and I rolled my eyes as I watched him enjoy his drink—which most certainly wasn’t water.

“Ahh, there’s my little nymph,” he coaxed playfully.

I tilted my head, giving him an unenthusiastic smile, unable to hide my annoyance.

“In the flesh,” I retorted.

“I ordered some cheese, bread, and cured meats. It’s the second most edible thing they have, and I figured you wouldn’t be interested in eating stew twice in one day.”

Despite his jokes and indifference, he was attentive. Telling me to stay out of trouble, as if hazards and mishaps followed me wherever I went. All his words were filled with heavy innuendo and a lustful tone. I had to admit, I liked being cared for despite how he bossed me around. His words held power over me. Gods, I wished I had that kind of power over him.

I began to silently eat my food. The adrenaline rush of the pond debacle had left me famished. I continued to go about my meal, giving him a coy silence. I wanted him to feel as awkward as I was annoyed. I knew hoping for an apology was expecting too much.

“Let’s play a game,” he said, breaking the silence between us.

“You know I’m terrible at cards,” I replied indignantly.

“No, one where we each win by getting something from the other.”

“And what’s that?” I replied, munching on my bread with disinterest. At this point, my seduction efforts had gone by the wayside.

“Information. We haven’t been extremely forthcoming with one another. And…if I’m to share a room with you this eve, then I’d like to get to know you better.”

I almost choked on my piece of bread. Was that genuine interest I just heard coming from his mouth?

I was still chewing, and he added before I could reply, “Unless bedding strangers is your thing…? Is that your thing, Cress?”

The insolence. Before I even registered what I was saying, I snapped, “No, I don’t go around bedding strangers. I’m not some sort of strumpet. Or did you forget you almost slit someone’s throat last night for implying that about me? I’ve only slept with—” I caught myself before I could finish my anger-fueled diatribe and was shocked at just how close I had been to revealing my severe lack of experience.

I bit my tongue before I said anything else. Trace just smiled back at me. It wasn’t the kind of wicked smile he usually gave me. One that implied I was going to regret something. This one was softer, kinder, maybe even understanding. He probably felt bad for me because it was clear from my outburst that I wasn’t exactly sporting a list a mile long.

“I was simply asking if that was your thing. I didn’t say I minded it,” he replied.

“Well, aren’t you open-minded,” I retorted. “What’s the game?” I was attempting to get this conversation on a different track.

I had no idea what my thing was, but I was pretty certain he’d have no problem figuring it out.

“Five questions. We each get to ask five questions of the other, and you have to answer honestly.”

I was interested, but it was risky. He was asking for honesty, but I knew there was only so much I could offer in the way of truth. I told myself if I could lie to my sister and Gris, then lying to Trace shouldn’t matter. After all, I’d never get to see him again once this was all over; how bad could the consequences be?

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