Page 48 of A Baron of Bonds
Of course, only Rev would know how to get so deep under my skin and rattle me relentlessly after what I had done.
As he led us to one of the inns, I started to defend myself. How was I supposed to know that I would be gone for two weeks? I planned to be gone for only a few hours. And I left the rhyzolm there for him. I made sure he knew I was alive, and he could follow me wherever the Blightress led me to.
Also, I thought, indignation settling in, I had both Parvus and Rauca with me, so surely, he would have known I had some protection that was more than just my magic.
He was speaking to the clerk at the front desk of the inn. The man nodded and provided him with a piece of parchment, quill, and ink while Rev began to write with his free hand, his other still squeezing mine.
I rolled my eyes and turned to look elsewhere. My power was beginning to bud again at my fingertips as I stared at the fire in the massive hearth of the tavern room. A performer strummed a lute and sang jauntily for a small crowd at the tables. The patrons ate their midday meal, half of them drunk already.
The inns in Hyrithia were well-known for their entertainment and care of their guests. Some of the wealthiest people of Arcaynen came through these doors and this inn, The Spinning Wheel, was no different. It was one of four that bridged to each other over the busy market street, hosting some of the most famous inventors, writers, and people of commerce on the isle.
During the Black Fever, I remembered how quiet the inns and streets had been, how echoing a single sound would ring through the streets as the people stayed in their own homes, fearing catching the disease.
Thoughts of Heimlen creeped in like an itch that could not be scratched, and I watched as the fireplace burned brighter.
Rev finished speaking to the clerk and turned to me, watching the flames flicker in gusto as well. “Is that for me? Or from something else?”
I was running out of patience with his brand of punishment and tried to free my hand once more to no avail. “So, now you’ll speak to me, but won’t let go?”
He smirked again. I convinced myself it had no effect on me. “Is that what you’d like, Karus? You want to be free of my touch?”
I raised my chin, suppressing a shiver. “Yes.”
He released my hand. I wiped it on my copper skirts, the sweat from holding his so long stuck between my fingers.
He placed his hand on my back instead and gently, but determinedly, pushed me forward to an empty table where he pulled out a chair, gesturing for me to sit.
I realized he no longer had his parcels and glanced back to the clerk who was now gone from his desk.
I wouldn’t say another word. I wouldn’t ask what we were doing here, why he had purchased all of those things, or what he was writing.
I could be stubborn, too, but I was wary of how much longer he’d last than me.
Rev called over a young man, asking for the midday meal for us both as well as two tankards of apple ale.
I frowned and shook my head. He knew I had no real taste for alcohol and only sipped wine on occasion. He watched me with a lazy interest, then turned his chair to face the performer, tapping his hand on the table to the rhythm of the song. I ignored it and turned as well, crossing my arms and legs, my foot bouncing up and down, but not to any tune I heard.
“Listen did she to my songs of love,
Hear them did she and muffle my pleas.
’Twas in her room when she tore off my shirt,
and I slid…to…my…knees…”
The musician sang the last word long and low as he worked the crowd. Men and women cheered and held their cups in the air, splashing apple ale all around the tables and their clothes.
As he continued to strum, a woman sashayed from behind a curtain, plucking her own lute and joining him in song.
“‘What would you like?’ he whispered to me,
Knees on the floor, holding the key?—
To what I would have in just one minute more?—”
“—Or three!” The man chimed in and the crowd burst into laughter again.
I had not expected such a lewd song to be played so early in the day at The Spinning Wheel, but the crowd of guests seemed to have no complaints. The musicians faced each other and played their duet faster.
