Page 31 of Blood Weaver
Unfortunately, stories like his were all too common. If only I could help him. But letting him get involved with me would only make things worse.
I bandaged him up and stood, dusting off my hands. “You’re all set.”
He started to dig through his pockets and pulled out a couple of sparks and gleam coins, jiggling them in his palm to count how much money he had. “I don’t have much, but I’ll give you all I have.”
When he tried to hand the coins to me, I waved him off. “Don’t worry about it, Henry. You can come to me anytime. Free of charge.”
His eyes widened again and he froze. “Really?”
“Really. But do you think you can do me a favor?”
He pocketed the coins and nodded vigorously. “Anything, Miss Leila.”
“If you hear anything about the lost princess, the Valorian army, or even the Crimson Clan, could you come tell me?”
“Of course!” He jumped to his feet.
“Just make sure I’m alone and no one is around when you tell me this information,” I warned.
“Will do, Miss Leila.”
I fished in my pocket for a glint and handed it to him. “For the information today.”
He tried giving it back. “No, Miss Leila. You’ve helped me; I couldn’t charge you—”
“Information is money, Henry, or did you forget saying that? Don’t ever turn it down, even from me.” I patted his shoulder. “If you ever need help, my clinic is always open.”
10
The day passed in a blur of patients and treatments. My supply of herbs and plants was dwindling and I would have to make the laborious trip up the mountain soon to replenish. The trip took a couple days and I hated leaving Selene alone, especially with the Crimson Clan around.
Once I was done treating patients, I flipped my sign to closed and started toward the Rose Petal. I hadn’t had a chance to check in with Selene since she left my place earlier that morning.
The instant I stepped into the pleasure house I was assaulted with a blockade of rose perfume. The sweet scent tickled my nose and I sneezed before glancing around the busy establishment filled with men and working girls. One person caught my attention, and I made my way over to his table.
“Your Highness.” I bowed as I approached Marcellus, whose eyes were fixed on the stage where Selene danced. “Your Highness,” I repeated a little louder, finally snapping him out of his daze.
He cleared his throat. “Oh, Leila, You’re here.”
I chuckled. “And you’restillhere. I figured you would have dropped her off and left.”
He bit his lip guiltily. “I did … but I returned.”
I nodded and took a seat at his table, uninvited. “You like Selene, don’t you?”
The blush that stained his cheeks told me all I wanted to know.
“It’s okay if you do,” I reassured him. “As one of the merfolk, she’s obviously extremely beautiful.”
“Yes … but my parents,” he murmured.
I realized where his train of thought was. I flagged down one of the girls and asked for two cups and a jug of wine. When she returned, I served us both and handed him a cup of wine.
“May I be frank, Your Highness?”
He accepted the wine and nodded. “Go ahead,” he said, though he kept his eyes fixed on Selene.
“Selene has had a hard life,” I started. “Harder than anyone could ever imagine. And while many of the girls here would kill for a chance at a prince taking interest in them in the hopes they would gain their freedom, the idea isn’t as novel as it sounds.”
