“That would be youwho started it,” Callum countered. “Your very presence offends us all. Slink back to the shadows where you belong.”
“All right. That’s enough. Do you see this table?” I patted the top of it. “It’s a neutral zone. Meaning no fighting. So be nice, regardless if you’re a knight, guard, or spy.”
“I’m not a spy,” Rowan said.
“Procurer of knowledge and secrets. Same thing.”
Rowan smirked before hiding it behind his mug as he took another drink.
Our food arrived minutes later, and as the smells wafted around us, all arguments and tension were forgotten. Smoked boar with crispy potato wedges, carrots, and warm bread. Growling tummies provided a temporary ceasefire between them.
The barmaid brought a plate for Rowan, regardless of him saying he didn’t want anything. As she set his plate down, she tossed him a flirty smile. “Thought you might be hungry.”
And it didn’t bother mewhatsoeverwhen he returned that flirty smile.
“You were right,” he said, angling his body toward her. “Beautifulandkind. Quite the combination.”
She left us to our meal, but not before giving him another flirty grin. His eyes remained on her as she flitted around thetavern, refilling mugs. Something about his lingering gaze on her bothered the hell out of me.
What happened to the “don’t worry, no one comes close to you” bullshit he’d fed me? Probably because that’s what it was: bullshit. Damn redheaded thief. Tightness wound in my chest. Twisted, really, like barbed wire.
“Ev?” Callum peered at me around Rowan. “You’re not eating. Do you not like the boar? I can order you something else if you prefer.”
“Oh.” I looked down at my plate, realizing I hadn’t taken a bite yet. “No, this is fine.”
Humor danced in Rowan’s eyes as he scooped up a potato.
I cut off a piece of meat and jabbed it into my mouth, chewing harder than necessary at first. The tender meat melted on my tongue like butter, and the happy bursts of flavor across my taste buds made me feel less stabby.
The stabbiness smacked right back into me when the barmaid returned to top off Rowan’s mug. She slipped something into his hand before walking away to check on another table.
The boar soured in my gut, and I went back to chewing the meat like it’d insulted my favorite book boyfriend.
“Looks like someone wants to have a roll in the hay with you,” Duke said, gesturing with his mug to the evil seductress. “We redheads are irresistible.”
Rowan glanced at whatever she gave him before enclosing it in his fist. “I may take her up on that offer.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
“Have fun with that.” I shoved my plate away from me and stood from my chair, tossing some coins on the table to cover my portion. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
I stormed away from them, battling a whirlwind of emotions. Annoyance and sadness. And confusion over why Ifelt either one of them. Pressure enclosed my ribs, and my body was on fire. It was a lot like the day when I’d met Isabel and thought Maddox was banging her.
I was jealous.
Which was silly. Rowan wasn’t mine. He could flirt and screw anyone he wanted to. Barmaids with huge melons included.
“Ev!” Callum called after me. “Wait for us.”
I reached the door and pushed it open. Well, that was the intention. It was heavier than I expected, so I bumped into it before finally getting the silly thing open. With any luck, no one noticed.
Outside, I had no idea where the inn was, so I veered left and hoped for the best. The sun had fully set, and the darkness made the streets eerie. Alone in an unfamiliar town at night with no clue where I was going didn’t bode well, but I’d already made a scene by dramatically storming off and was too embarrassed to turn back around and return to the tavern.
I was such an idiot for thinking Rowan cared about me. For trusting him.
“Seems I struck a nerve.”
I jumped at the voice and faced the narrow alley it’d come from. Rowan blended in with the shadows, but as my eyes adjusted, I saw him propped against the wall.
