Page 64 of A Baron of Bonds
He slipped the letter back into the envelope and pocketed it, clasping my hand again and squeezing. “I’d think the conduits and Moira would arrive by then, so it works in our favor.”
I exhaled heavily as we walked into the street, heading first for the clothing shop. The air was slightly warmer with the sun doing its best to heat the market through the crisp of autumn. We stepped into the dress shop and picked out our cloaks. Rev chose a deep blue while I picked out a dark red in the color of the mums he’d chosen for our bonding. We paid the woman at the counter—the same one who had given Revich the package the day before. With a knowing smile, she winked at us, moving on to help another patron.
Now bundled in warmth, I led him through the alley near the inn, coming to the street on the other side.
“Don’t look yet!” I shouted, coving his eyes so he couldn’t see the great fountain in the square.
“Why not?” he chuckled.
“I want to dance with you at the fountain. The water sprays are timed to the music and there’s a courtyard for it. So, let’s eat and buy our tea first. I want you to dance with me with enough energy to twirl me around.”
I turned him toward the tavern, letting my hand fall from his eyes, where he grabbed it and kissed the inside of my wrist. I squeezed his fingers and leaned in closer to his shoulder, clasping his arm to hold him as much as I could.
The music echoed through the square as we left it behind us. I pulled him into the tavern built into the street, one of the many shops that connected through shared stone and archways.
“The Salted Herring?” He read the wooden sign as we stood below it, the shape of a long, gray fish carved into its weathered surface.
“I hope they still make it,” I said, giddy with excitement at revisiting one of my favorite haunts in Hyrithia.
I pulled him through the door and a wave of savory dishes and puffed pastry hit my nose. My body urged me to sit and consume everything I possibly could.
It was packed for a late afternoon, but we found a corner table and a middle-aged woman came to greet us.
“Hello, dears, what can I get for you?”
I swallowed, recognizing her immediately as Ninah, the woman who had apparently been serving patrons of The Salted Herring for decades now.
My cheeks burned, wondering if it was at all possible she’d recognize me, but her gaze landed firmly on Revich instead.
She put a hand on her hip and tilted her full head of gray hair that frizzed into a top bun. Her brown eyes and freckled face widened into recognition. “Aren’t you the Baron of Felgren?” She nodded toward his vest. “You’re wearing the Baron’s clothes, and your eyes are all black.”
I smirked at Rev, watching him politely smile and nod.
“I am the Baron of Felgren, yes.” He held his hand out to her and she took it. “Revich. Nice to meet you...?”
“Ninah. My name’s Ninah and you can have anything you’d like. On the house. The Queen may have her issues with Barons, but we Hyrithian’s are in debt to the late Baron Heimlen.”
My spine chilled and Rev’s eyes darted to me as he finished shaking her hand and put his on top of mine.
“Thank you, Ninah. Can I ask, what dish are you most known for? What has been on your menu the longest?”
“That’ll be the fisherman’s pie.”
He looked to me in silent question, and I nodded slightly, not really registering what she had said.
“We’ll have two, please. And water. Perhaps a pitcher?”
“Sure thing, love, but I’ll be bringing just one pie. It’s big enough to share.”
She curtsied slightly and left, moving quickly to the counter.
Rev brought both of his hands across the table to hold mine and I sighed. “I’m fine. Really. Are you alright?”
“I’ve had seven years to process Heimlen’s betrayal and manipulation. You have not. It’ll take you time to get used to hearing his name.”
I nodded again and vowed to control my anger at the praise he received from the same people he sentenced to die.
“I breathe, you breathe, ready?”
