Page 80 of The King's Sword
“You never had warm ale before?” Ian asked.
Panic filled her as she realized her mistake. At a table full of trained assassins, she’d just unknowingly shown an expression, giving away a vital piece of information. If this drink was common in Avoni, and she acted as though she’d never had it before, then these men would know she was from another kingdom. It wouldn’t take them long to figure out who she was. And that information, in the wrong hands, could be dangerous.
Evander couldn’t jump in and cover for her. It was up to her then. “I have a cut in my mouth,” she lied, not knowing if they bought it. “Now how do you all know one another?” she asked again, wanting to steer the conversation away from her.
“He didn’t tell you?” Ian asked.
These men were far too sharp for her at this hour, and getting them to divulge anything good on Evander wouldn’t be as easy as she’d hoped. “Maybe he did and I’m trying to see if your story matches his.” She lifted her cup in a silent salute before taking another sip—this time being careful to keep her face blank.
Mek slapped Evander’s back. “Finally someone who doesn’t fawn all over you. I see you’ve finally met your match.”
These men had to know Evander was their prince. Perhaps they were treating him so informally because they were in a crowded tavern. While her brothers had all been allowed to go to one of the taverns in Bakley, she’d never been permitted to go. This entire experience would be one she wouldn’t easily forget. The music was so loud she could feel it vibrating through her body.
Evander leaned in closer to her, his hand going around her shoulder as he murmured, “Drink up. That’s why I brought you here. Two cups of this stuff and it’ll knock you out. You’ll sleep like a baby.”
Liking the sound of that, Sabine finished her drink, trying not to flinch as the warm liquid burned going down her throat.
Jeb returned to the table, mumbling something about women.
Evander pulled Sabine off the chair. “Sit,” Evander ordered Jeb. Then to her, “I want you to go and dance with that man over there in the blue top.” His chin nodded behind her and to the right.
She twisted around and spotted a man in a blue shirt sitting one table over. Either Evander wanted to challenge her with something silly to see if she’d go through with it, or he wanted her away from the table so he could talk to his so-called friends. She was betting on the latter since he’d ordered Jeb to sit.
“Tell him you’re my special friend and that I insist.”
“What about my second drink?”
“It’ll be here for you when you’re done.”
She didn’t want to dance with some stranger. She’d much rather sit here—even if it was on Evander’s lap—and listen to his conversation. By making her dance, she didn’t even have a chance to overhear what he said since she’d be too far away.
“Fine.” She sighed and went over to the man Evander had indicated. “Let’s dance,” she said.
“No thank you.” He didn’t even glance her way.
“Evander insists.”
At that, he turned and looked at her. “Then I’m honored to dance with you.” He glanced Evander’s way, made some sort of sign with his hands, and Evander gave a single nod. “My name is Tad,” he said as he stood.
“I’m Lina.”
He gestured for her to lead the way to the dance floor.
“Are you with them?” she asked as they made their way toward it.
“Yes.”
A man of many words. “I don’t want to dance,” she admitted. Even though she’d been having trouble falling asleep, she was tired. Her inability to sleep had to do with her discomfort with the idea of leaving Evander and returning to Lynk.
“Neither do I. But orders are orders.”
“There’s a table over there.” She pointed to the other side of the dance area. The table was tucked in the back of the tavern.
“I don’t disobey orders.” Tad stopped at the edge of the dancing area and held out his hand for her to take.
For a brief moment, she considered telling Tad who she was and that she outranked Evander. But this wasn’t her kingdom, and she didn’t want anyone to know she was here. The less people who knew who she was and who she was traveling with, the better. Besides, she’d agreed to do whatever Evander said, and she was a woman of her word.
Taking Tad’s hand, she allowed him to lead. The song was a fast tune, but he moved slowly, keeping his attention on the table of assassins and not on Sabine. Which was just fine with her. This was some sort of folk dance, and she had no idea what to do. Since they were moving so slow, she could at least pretend like she knew what was going on.
