Page 39 of Bound By Honey

The rest of the Charming Four entered the inn with them settled at a table near the wall.

A heavy-set woman approached with a curious expression

"Welcome.What can I get for you all this evening?"

Sage let the others do the ordering while she looked around at her surroundings. Colorful tapestries that depicted stories from long ago and intricate wooden carvings lined the walls. She could feel centuries of history seeping out from every corner of the inn as if time had been frozen.

The woman returned shortly after with a large spread of food, enough for each one to sample. A roast chicken with herbs tucked into the crispy skin. Potatoes, freshly baked bread, various fresh vegetables, a small jar of honey, and mugs of local mead.

Sage inhaled the food’s aroma, savoring each scent and feeling her hunger rise.

"It smells heavenly. Thank you," Sage said to the woman.

"Of course! We appreciate the help you are all bringing. We've prepared the two rooms reserved. They are the first on the left up the stairs." The woman offered a warm smile before retreating to the kitchen.

They all dug into the food, discussing their journey and speculating what would come next.

After dinner, everyone agreed it was time for bed and began making their way up to their rooms on the second floor.

Sage hesitated once they reached the top of the stairs. A glance in both rooms and she realized that her last-minute addition to their party would cause a problem for their lodging situation.

"Where are the rest of the soldiers and help sleeping? Perhaps they have a spare tent I can sleep in," Sage said to no one in particular.

"All the tents have been taken," Prince Finn said, stepping forward before the others could reply. "The soldiers and help will sleep outside. You will sleep in my room." Prince Finn's voice was firm and left no room for argument.

Sage glanced at Asher before she nodded and followed him into the room.

The room was small, with only one bed and a chair in the corner. But it was tidy and clean and more than comfortable for the two of them.

Sage settled into the chair, carefully keeping her distance from the bed and Prince Finn. He watched her silently as he moved to the bed, pulling the blanket off.

"Are you planning on sleeping in the chair?"

She thought of her initial plans to sleep in the library closet. "I've had worse options before. I can sleep on the floor if I get too uncomfortable."

He rolled his eyes. "I will not lay a hand on you. We need you well rested, and the floor is drafty. There's only one blanket. You will be of no help if you get sick."

Her heart raced. He couldn't be serious, could he?

He removed his shoes and stripped down to only his pants and an undershirt.

"I promise to be nothing but a gentleman," he said, patting the bed beside him. "Would you prefer the wall or the edge?"

Sage swallowed hard. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, she decided to trust him. He hadn't proven to her that she couldn't, as much as he had driven her crazy, and at the moment, her only other options were even less desirable.

"Wall, please."

He nodded and gestured for her to take the other side of the bed.

Sage hesitantly moved to the bed and lay down.

"Goodnight, Sage," he said softly.

"Goodnight." She was more than aware of every movement Prince Finn made, but she managed to drift off to sleep in the end.

The Freefall Flooding

Heavygustsofwindblew across the ruined farmland, the dry cracked ground giving way to damp, muddy pathways. Sage followed without fail, her eyes darting from one flooded building to the next, her heart heavy. The once-majestic homes and barns that had spanned the valleys' great expanse were now little more than broken twisted husks of their former selves.

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