Page 68 of Lost Heir
The innkeeper's eyes narrowed slightly, but she quickly masked her reaction with a warm smile. “I can certainly provide a room for the night,” she said, leaning closer and lowering her voice. “As for a messenger, there might be someone who can help. Go to the back of the inn, near the stables. Look for a man with a scar across his left cheek. Tell him Mira sent you.”
I nodded. “Could we have two meals sent up to our room as well?”
“Will do,” Mira said with a curt nod.
Grateful for the information, I thanked the innkeeper and followed her directions to our room. Once we were settled in, I would seek out the mysterious messenger. The room was simple but clean with a single bed, a modest table with two rickety chairs, and a tiny window that looked out over the village.
“This bed is … small,” Ronan noted dryly as he closed and locked the door behind us.
I sighed. “It is.”
Ronan removed his cloak and hung it on a wooden peg on the wall before he plopped down on the bed, wincing as the frame groaned. “I guess this means you’ll have to latch onto me so you don’t roll off.” He winked, and I laughed.
My laughter wasn’t due to his suggestion, but more because of the absurdity of our situation. It was a lot of change to deal with in the matter of a few hours, and it was catching up to me.
Sitting on the edge of the bed beside Ronan, I allowed myself a moment to just breathe and let the whirlwind of emotions and events settle. The room, with its sparse furnishings and soft light filtering through the window, was a sanctuary from the chaos outside.
“We've been through so much in such a short time,” I murmured, turning to look at him, his presence a constant reassurance. “I never imagined this would be our journey.”
Ronan reached out and his hand found mine, intertwining our fingers. “Life has a funny way of throwing the unexpected at us. But as long as we’re together, I believe we can handle anything.”
His confidence was contagious. In that moment, I believed we were unstoppable.
When a knock sounded at the door, my stomach clenched in fear. Ronan stood and walked to the door, opening it to reveal a servant holding a tray of food. Ronan took the tray and gave the young boy a coin before closing the door.
My stomach groaned when the aroma of seasoned meat and warm soup hit my nostrils. I realized I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, our day spoiled by Caelan and his diabolical machinations. We settled at the small wooden table. Ronan placed the tray in the middle and I beheld our feast: two bowls of steaming soup, bread still warm from the oven, anda plate of roasted meat that was seasoned so perfectly, the aroma alone was enough to make the day's stresses fade away. It was a far cry from the food we enjoyed in the palace, but at least here I didn’t have to worry about someone poisoning my food.
My sobering thoughts turned to Tessa and the ultimate sacrifice she made to ensure my safety. I pushed through my turbulent grief and picked up my spoon. “Looks like we're in for a treat,” I said with a smile as I tried the soup. Its warmth spread through me, a comforting embrace against the cool evening air seeping through the window.
Ronan chuckled and took the other chair across from me, which looked comically small compared to his hulking frame. “Anything less would be a disservice to our adventurous day.” He broke off a chunk of bread and dipped it into the hearty stew.
We ate in comfortable silence, filled with shared glances and knowing smiles. The food was delicious, or maybe we were simply starved. The simple meal felt like a luxury after the day we’d experienced.
Ronan finally cleared his throat and peered over at me. “Do I want to know who you want to send a message to across the border?”
I shook my head. “No. You don’t.”
Ronan sighed. “Leila … I’d like to say I’m not a jealous man, but the gods would know I was lying. If you’re reaching out to Mykal—”
My eyes widened. “Nothing happened—”
“Don’t lie to me, Leila,” he interrupted. “I overheard part of your conversation with him at the banquet. He kissed you.”
I bit my lip, embarrassed to be caught in a lie. I didn’tintendto lie, but it would complicate things less if he didn’tknow. And truthfully, there was nothing between me and the commander.
“It was a mistake,” I admitted quickly. “I was panicking, and kissing me was his way of calming me down.”
Ronan quirked a brow and nodded. “I see.”
But it was obvious hedidn’tsee.
“Ronan—”
“It’s okay, Leila. This was before you and I were together, and it was during a time when you thought I’d betrayed you. I don’t hold it against you, but I know the effect you have on a man, and it’s obvious Mykal has developed feelings for you.”
I frowned and shook my head vehemently. “No. Impossible. We’ve known each other all of two seconds.”
“Yet here you are, seeking his aid,” he countered.
