Page 86 of I Ran Away to Evil
“So are you two sleeping together, or do you need separate rooms?” Olen scratched his head and then squeaked in a very high-pitched voice when Penelope elbowed him in the ribs.
“Separate, please,” Keith insisted. There was no way he could sleep if Ria was there. She might watch him sleep … He might watch her sleep. This trail of thought needed to stop.
“Alright, Your Viciousness,” Olen replied, rubbing his side as his wife face-palmed. “I’ll let the brothers know. Give me a bit of time to clean up your rooms; you can head up in an hour. I’ll leave the keys with Lavender.”
“Thank you, Olen,” Henrietta said before Keith could. “And thank you, Penelope, for thisdeliciousdinner. I’m seriously impressed! Everyone across the Dark Enchanted Forest was raving about you, and I can see why.”
“And you are a very kind guest,” Penelope smiled with pride. “You come back anytime, Princess.”
Henrietta leaned forward and peeked over at the bar. “Can I ask, how did you get Lavender the Lizard Wizard to work at your restaurant?! She’s amazing!”
Penelope chuckled and tossed her long black braid over her shoulder. “I dueled her in a wizard fight at the Peldeep Festival of Lights. She was so determined to learn my illusion spells, so she set out to find me again, and, well …”
“I found her first.” Olen wrapped an arm around Penelope. “And I carried her off to the Dark Enchanted Forest to be my wife.”
“More like I rode you like a horse,” Penelope replied dryly. “He was in his bear form, of course.”
“Phrasing, Penelope! Phrasing!” an elderly otterfolk lady at the table beside us called out. “Also, I’d like dessert, please.”
“I’ll be right there.” Penelope gave Keith and Henrietta a small curtsy and patted her husband affectionately on the arm. He released her to go back to work.
“Enjoy the rest of your dessert,” Olen told them. “I’ll go up and get your rooms ready.”
When they were by themselves again, Ria asked Keith, “So which dungeon should we hit up first?”
“The Hollow Gorge is closer. Its entry is in the pass that leads down toward the Deep Shoals,” Keith explained. He knew that Henrietta had completed the Depths of Despair Dungeon off the eastern coast, but he wanted to be sure, so he asked, “Can you swim?”
“Of course!” Ria said between a mouthful of whipping cream. She licked a spot of cream off the curve of her lip. “I spent many years—”
“I’m back!” Lady Amaryllis burst into the tavern with Guardswoman Puma right behind her.
Keith sighed. All he’d wanted was a peaceful dinner with the princess he was courting.
Ria stood up to greet them. “Thank goodness …” She paused and looked at Keith. “Or is it ‘thank evilness’ in the Dark Enchanted Forest?”
Keith shrugged. “I’ve never heard either saying.”
Henrietta continued, “Anyway, I’m thankful everything worked out. I’m so sorry, Mistress Puma. I completely reacted on instinct. Do you forgive me?”
“See!” Lady Amaryllis cut in, sounding smug. “I told you she wouldn’t hold it against you.”
Henrietta argued, “Amy, she hasn’t even—” at the same time Mistress Puma said, “Lady Amy, now isnot—”
The two women stopped and stared, realizing their confusion. They decided to ignore the elf girl entirely.
“Princess.” Mistress Puma bowed. “I’m sorry for not recognizing you upon your arrival.”
“And I’m sorry for throwing you into the woods,” Ria replied.
“Think nothing of it.” Mistress Puma smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I must resume my shift for the evening.”
“Of course! Don’t let us keep you!”
Mistress Puma left, but Keith noted with disappointment and a hint of annoyance that Lady Amaryllis was pulling up a chair to join them.
“So what’s the plan?” the intruder asked.
Ria waved for a server to come take their new guest’s order. She told Lady Amaryllis, “I have a room upstairs tonight. Want to share?”
