Page 68 of Deadwood
I wanted to say more, possibly even offer to go with. But instead, I said, “Make sure they’re all at dinner. We have things to discuss.”
She reached for the door, barely giving a nod before wrenching it open and disappearing outside. I was left in the quiet room, the silence ringing loud as Flynt and Raiden both stared at me.
I had to do what was necessary, whether I agreed with it or not. It wasn’t just for everyone’s safety, but also mine. If for some reason a kingdom found me a threat, everything we’d worked so hard for would be ruined.
Distractions of any form had to be kept at bay.
We were too close.
CHAPTER 23
AURIA
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Siara asked as we approached the house I was staying in. Her blonde hair whipped around her face as she reached up to tuck it behind her ears, her hood having blown off when she joined me.
“Really, I’m fine.” She hadn’t mentioned Paxon on our way through town after she’d approached me. I’d been scared she was going to reprimand me for being out in the storm, but she’d only wanted to make sure I was okay. She hadn’t asked where I had been or why I was alone. It was odd having her only curious about how I was doing and not pestering me over my whereabouts.
We paused before the door, and she turned to me. “I guess I believe you. You’re still coming to dinner tonight, right?”
Shit. With everything that happened after Siara and Flynt had left earlier, I’d forgotten about her invite. I know I’d agreed, but now my mind was reeling with the ultimatum Paxon had given me—the ability to get out of this marriage, but the potential of putting myself in a worse situation.
“About that…”
“Please don’t cancel,” she begged. “I’m tired of sitting at a table full of boring men.”
Didn’t she know I was only here temporarily? That this was likely a one-time thing?
“I’m any better?”
She laughed. “Auria, please. I can already tell you’re much better company than the men in this town, and I’ve only talked to you once.”
My brows furrowed. “I guess that’s why I’m confused.”
She angled her head in question.
“My group stumbled in here unwarranted, and you’re inviting us to a dinner? It doesn’t make sense,” I explained.
Her shoulders dropped. “I can see how that might be confusing. It’s not really a dinner out of courtesy, more so to inform your group.”
“Inform us of what?”
“Well, you’re here for about a week, right? And you’re not exactly…” She searched for the word, tossing her head back and forth. “Liked?”
I rubbed at my chest, where it ached from slamming into the cliff’s wall. “Thanks?”
“What I’m trying to say is that Deadwood isn’t like your heavily guarded castles. We have a few guards stationed around the town, but that’s mainly to be sure no one’s getting killed in the streets. The people, they mostly do whatever they like, and sometimes those aren’t the best…activities.”
Her use of the wordactivitiessent a shiver down my spine. “I didn’t assume we were safe here.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “And yet you’re out here walking alone.”
My throat worked on a swallow. She was trying to get more out of me, and I refused to fall for it. Paxon would most likely kill me if I said anything about what had happened. I didn’t know the lengths he’d go to protect himself or his brother, and I didn’t want to find out.
“It won’t happen again,” I assured her.
She shook her head. “That’s not what I’m saying, Auria. Just— please come to dinner. And cover your mouth and nose when you’re outside while the storm is bad.”
“Why?”
