Page 121 of A Tribute of Fire

“That was the rumor we’d heard, but I’d hoped it was wrong. I am so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.”

“And please know that the very generous gift you left has made it possible for me to help many of the women here. So thank you for that.”

I nodded. When I thought of that night, losing Quynh was the thing that stood out, but the idea that I might have put the women in this house in danger had always bothered me.

“I’m glad,” I said.

“If you should ever need anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to call on me,” she said.

While I couldn’t imagine a situation in which I would need her assistance, I thanked her. It was a kind gesture.

“And the same for me.” Again, there didn’t seem to be any scenario where Mahtab might need my help, but it seemed right to offer after what she’d done. She had given me precious hours with my sister that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

The hetaera came over and took both of my hands in hers, squeezing. “I wish you the best of luck. You are a very brave young woman.”

I briefly considered asking to see the storage room where Quynh and I had hidden, but it felt like too much. Maybe there would be a day in the future when I could sit in there and think of my last moments with my sister without wanting to double over from the pain.

My sorrow was steadily increasing and I worried that if I stayed here it might engulf me entirely.

I said my goodbyes to Mahtab and went back downstairs. Jason was in the main room and the hetaerae were draping themselves all over him. He seemed to be greatly enjoying himself.

He had just kissed me a few minutes ago and now he was entertaining the advances of so many different women. I knew what he was. Why was I surprised? Swallowing the disgust I felt, I said, “Time to go.”

“I thought we were staying off the street,” he said, and the woman on his right let out a giggle as he squeezed her shoulders.

“I haven’t heard an alarm being raised or patrols calling out,” I countered. “I’m going to leave.”

It wasn’t as if a gambling sailor could afford their rates. But given how attractive he was ... it wouldn’t have surprised me if someone here would have been willing to offer him a steep discount.

“Perhaps I’ll stay,” he said as the hetaera to his left snuggled in closer to him.

“Do as you wish,” I said, jealousy roaring inside me like a dragon. Why was I envious? I couldn’t have him. I didn’t even want him.

That’s a lie.

Yes, that was a lie. It didn’t matter, though. He was free to consort with whomever he wished, as often as he wished. I opened the front door and let myself out and back onto the street.

I heard him rushing to catch up. “What did you do upstairs?”

“As I said, it’s none of your concern.”

“You do realize that by being mysterious, it only makes you more intriguing? I’m curious as to what a temple priestess, sworn to safeguard her virginity, would be doing at a hetaera house.”

I came to a sudden halt, spinning on my heels. He towered over me, nearly crashing into me. “Speaking of intrigue, how did you find me?”

He gave me a half smile. “I told you, I only had to follow—”

“No.” I held my hand up. “I remember what you said. But I don’t believe in coincidences.”

Jason folded his arms across his broad chest. “They do happen.”

“In a city this size, you didn’t stumble across me by accident.”

“Perhaps I sensed that you needed me.”

“We both know that didn’t happen, either.” Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss the connection he was hinting at. I’d certainly felt it when I was dreaming.

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