Page 170 of Royal Rebel

“Serene thought you should take the bed,” Cardon said to Wilf, amusement threading his words.

The large man drew back, clearly affronted.

Serene threw her free hand up, halting the tirade before it could start. “I don’t think I’m the only one hungry and irritable. You two need to change so we can eat.”

Wilf’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue.

Cardon’s eyes fairly glittered with triumph. “You admit I was right, then.”

She rolled her eyes and marched for the door.

Serene would never tell Cardon, but she did feel much better after eating. The flatbread was divine, the braised chicken and roasted vegetables even better. They each leaned back in their chairs, relaxing as the food settled.

Wilf’s attention was on a game of dice two tables away, where a group of men had gathered. “I may try my hand,” he said. “They seem talkative. Maybe I can learn more about those disappearances, or about the other rumors we’ve heard.”

Serene and Cardon both nodded, watching in silence as he left.

The rain had stopped its merciless pounding, so the music from the corner filled the room. A group of people had even begun to dance to the fast tempo, while onlookers clapped.

“The mood is better here,” Cardon noted.

“Still not as bright as usual, though.”

Zennorians were usually friendly, even toward strangers. But since leaving Zoroya, they had noticed men watching each other with wariness. Mothers kept their children close, and no one seemed to linger in the streets like they used to. It was not the same place Serene had known, and that saddened her.

It seemed all of Eyrinthia was being thrown into shadow. She wanted to know what was casting it—or who.

Serene searched the room, but she didn’t know who she was looking for. She would need to locate the inn’s owner and see if he knew who her contact would be.

If her message had even reached someone in time.

“Maybe we should stay here for a couple of days,” Cardon said. “The horses could use the rest, and so could we.”

“I thought you disliked the place?”

“I’m beginning to see its charm,” he said, his eyes fixed on her.

Her pulse quickened. They’d become relaxed around each other, yes, but that had been utterly flirtatious.

She glanced at his glass of water. “How much have you drunk tonight?”

He exhaled a short laugh at her thin joke. “Would you like to stay?” he asked.

It would give her contact more of a chance to reach her. And it would lengthen this time they had together. She dipped her chin. “I think that would be nice. Though we should try to get another room for tomorrow night.”

“I am a little old for sleeping on floors,” he conceded with a smirk.

“You’re not old, Cardon.”

“Ifeelold.” What he didn’t say—at least in this moment—was,I’m too old for you.

Before she could answer, she heard someone at the table beside them mention Duvan. She strained to hear the rest.

“. . . Nasty business. Olcain keeps making its way in, and the serjan doesn’t seem able to stop it.”

“Who do you think is selling it? Chizumbo?”

“He’s got the biggest empire these days, but who knows. Could be anyone.”

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