Page 103 of Deadwood
The smoke dissipated as he grabbed my arm, spinning me around so my back was pressed to his chest. He lowered his head, murmuring in my ear, “See those guards posted at every other booth?” He paused, waiting for me to find them. Though they almost blended in with the crowd, now that I was looking for them, I couldn’t miss each standing in leather outfits, guns slung on their hips. Daggers filled every sheath on their body, and I didn’t want to guess what other weapons or magic they held. “They take care of it so that you, Princess, can enjoy your shopping.”
With his body pressed to mine, my back was nearly buzzing. “I’m hardly shopping.”
I could practically feel his eyes drop to the opal necklace around my neck, and the memory of his hand against my skin in that very spot heated my core. I couldn’t help the rise of my breasts as I tried to inhale. Bowen seemed to suck the oxygen from me with a few simple words.
“Auria! Oh my gods, I thought I lost you,” Siara said, hurrying over to us as she shouldered past a stout woman.
Bowen dropped my arm and stepped back. “You did.”
I didn’t bother looking back at him. “She didn’t. I just got sidetracked.”
Her eyes darted between me and Bowen, a knowing glint in them as she tried to hide her smile. “Well, it looks like Bowen kept you company instead.”
By the look on her face, it led me to believe they didn’t have anything between them. If they did, why would she seem almost…elated to see him simply standing with me?
“My lady,” a guard, one ofmyguards, said, appearing from the crowd.
His appearance took me aback, as I thought they wouldn’t be out and about for another day or two at least. Siara and Bowen regarded him with bored curiosity.
“Are you feeling better?” I asked, seeing as his leg was wrapped from the knee down and he used a stick propped under his arm to hold himself up.
“Quite. I came to grab a few things for the others, but my lady…” His eyes fell to my clothes, then darted back to my face. “I noticed you’re not wearing Amosite’s colors while you’re out, and with orders from your father, you must change. You know the rules, Lady Auria.”
My brows pulled together.That’swhy he’d approached me? It was the same bullshit from before. The same thing they’d said to me when I’d checked on them last night. “All of my belongings were destroyed in the raid.”
He gave a nervous nod. “Surely Deadwood has something that would work.”
“This is mainly all I have.” Given the circumstances, he had to understand, right?
“It will not do, my lady. Your father gave us strict orders?—”
“The lady can wear whatever she’d like,” Bowen interrupted, his voice taking on such an authoritative tone that evenIfelt compelled to heed it.
The guard turned his attention on Bowen. “With all due respect, sir”—he cleared his throat—“King Tenere was very clear?—”
Bowen’s eyes bored into him. “Are we in Amosite, Soldier?”
The guard’s eyes darted to me before looking back at Bowen. “Well, no?—”
“Right.” Bowen stepped toward him, his entire being the mask of calm control. This side of him was as collected as a king. “She may wear what she’d like while staying in my town.”
The guard swallowed, a nervous bead of sweat gleaming off his forehead. To save himself from the scrutiny, he nodded, giving me one last glance before disappearing back into the crowd.
To hell with all of this.
I heaved a breath, then stepped around Siara, heading in the direction of the next booth. Vibrant blown glass vases sat displayed on the white cloth draped over the table, and I wondered how they traveled with such delicate items. Taylin had never mentioned a market such as this visiting Amosite, and I presumed it was yet another thing my father didn’t allow his people to take part in.
The thought of Taylin dropped a boulder to the pit of my stomach, and I realized just how badly I missed our daily talks in the gardens. Was she still showing up every day, waiting for my return in case we arrived early? Or had she forgotten about me for weeks, relieved she wouldn’t have to make the trek from her home in the city to the castle for a short visit?
Siara admired a few of the vases beside me, Bowen trailing behind us with his hands casually clasped behind his back. He kept a watchful eye on the crowd around us, and I did my best not to glance his way.
“Did you get my gift?” Bowen asked, coming up on my other side as Siara continued onward.
“A book and a half-empty vial is hardly a gift,” I snipped, irritated with his presence at the moment. Between stepping in with the man and defending me in front of the guard, I felt embarrassed. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel bad enough for me to leave gifts on top of all of the saving, too. Besides, this was a trip for me and Siara,notBowen.
His chin dipped. “So you did.”
I acted more interested in the items displayed before me than the man making my heart race. “Gifts are to be given. You’re merely loaning it to me.”
