Page 91 of Lore of the Tides

“I am well-traveled. In my dreams.” He placed a hand over his chest. “And my heart. My heart is well-traveled. Now it is time for my feet to be as well.”

“Whatever that means.” Lore pressed a fist to her lips to keep from laughing lest she disturb the tranquil atmosphere of the inn’s common room. “Go on, acquire us a couple of rooms, handsome.”

The inn was glorious. Tall ceilings decorated in deliciously vibrant tiles. Large, oversize chairs were positioned throughout the room. Three tall bookshelves packed with novels lined one of the walls, and various board and card games were dispersed on low tables for patrons to utilize. An inviting glass pitcher of water with sliced lemons stood in the center for guests to partake of. The clean, gleaming hardwood floors were covered with thick, artfully woven rugs. Oil lamps burned low, and the roaring fire in the hearth made for the perfect cozy atmosphere.

Lore wanted tolivehere.

She hurried to catch up to Hazen. “Make sure mine has a bath in it!”

Her clothing was caked stiff with salt, and the smell of the sea clung to Lore like a second skin.

The travel barge had only allotted one bathing day for the entire week aboard and a single bucket and tiny chunk of soap per traveler to wash with. It hadn’t been enough to remove the salt deposits that had grafted to Lore’s skin from days in the ocean.

The leftover salt and dusty desert air were threatening to turn Lore into walking ash. Her elbows and knees were proof. Lore might actually die if she couldn’t submerge herself in scalding,freshwater within the hour.

Simi’s grandma was seated behind a desk reading a book. Glasses perched low on her nose, and a beautifully beaded string connected to both arms rested against her ample bosom. As Simi had said, a blue scarf, herbhearaon, was wrapped around her hair and stood tall on her head.

Though, the smile he mentioned was missing.

“Hello, beautiful. Your grandson, Simi, was most gracious and directed us to your fine establishment. He said it was the finest inn to be found in all of Ma Serach, and I see that he was not exaggerating.” He was laying the charm on heavy. “I am Zane. These are my companions, Fuba and Lara. We are humble travelers hoping you have a place for us to lay our heads.”

“Fuba?” Finndryl hissed under his breath to Lore. Lore held in her giggle. It was a terrible name.

The woman furrowed her eyebrows. “Simi, you say? He is my least favorite grandchild. He has a personal issue with veracity.” The older woman sniffed, cutting her eyes in distaste at Hazen. “I suppose my establishment is fine enough, but to boast that it is finer than any in our magnificent empire is just that, a boast.”

Innkeeper: 1. Hazen: 0.

“Ah, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and If I may, this is the most beautiful inn I have ever stepped into.”

Not to mention the first andonlyinn the siren prince had probably been to. On land, anyway.

There, the innkeeper cracked a small smile. “All right, traveler, I’ll take the compliment.” She took his offered hand, over which he bent low and placed a kiss upon her knuckles. “I’m Svalja, innkeeper and owner.” She grimaced and wiped the knuckles he’d kissed on her dress. Lore stifled a titter at Hazen’s appalled reaction that someone should not cherish his kiss as if it were a ruby necklace. “I feel compelled to mention that flattery won’t get you a discount if that is what you are after.” Humor glinted in Svalja’s brown eyes. “In fact, as I’ve been told I run the most beautiful inn in all of Ma Serach, I have a sudden urge to charge you double.”

“Double?” Hazen sputtered, obviously shocked to his core that flattery and his dashing good looks could not, in fact, get him everywhere.

“I won’t, of course. I have what many in this town lack... integrity. As you can see, the prices are there on the wall, and they do not vary no matter how many compliments... or unsolicited kisses... my patrons bestow upon me.”

And indeed, there the prices were, posted for all to see, written in neat, swirling handwriting on a chalkboard. Single rooms, double, family. One could pay extra for a bath to be filled, more if you want breakfast brought up to your room, less if you eat it in the common area. The innkeeper set her novel down and opened a tall ledger that sat before her on the desk. This place must be run as tight as a ship.

Not that she was an expert on ships, considering one had had a mutiny and the other was the slovenly barge that had deposited them a whole two days later than promised, and the awkward-shaped monstrosity hadn’t had any sails. She never did quite figure out how it traveled the seas.

So this place must be run tighter than a ship.

Yes, Lore thought, she could live here happily.

“What can I do for you three?”

“We require two rooms, please. A double for my friend and I, and a single for the lady. We shall all require baths and breakfast in our rooms, I think.” Hazen, subdued and, Lore thought,almosthumbled, spoke without his earlier flair.

She almost felt bad for him. It made sense that being raised a beautiful prince would make one think that everyone would fall at your feet. Queen Naia was right to require the male do some traveling before taking the crown.

“Just the one night? Or are you staying awhile?”

“Yes, just the one night, thank you.”

The innkeeper wrote all this down, added the sums in her head, and gave them the total, which matched what Lore had added up. Integrity indeed.

“You are welcome to have a seat while my granddaughter readies your rooms and baths. There is only one bath in each room, so you two will have to take turns unless you plan on sharing. The common area is open all day and night should you choose to use it. The kitchen is closed, as we don’t serve dinner on Sunsday, but you will find a pamphlet with recommendations within walking distance.”

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