Page 32 of Warrior Princess
“No,” I retorted softly. “I think about you, too.”
Ronan’s response was immediate and fervent. He grabbed my face and kissed me passionately, his hands framing my cheeks. I responded with equal fervor, pulling him closer by the leather of his jacket, lost in the moment.
The door to the clinic swung open with a creak and Silas entered, halting abruptly when he saw us entangled. “Ah!” he exclaimed, quickly turning around to give us privacy. “Apologies; I should have knocked.”
I laughed, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks as I stepped back from Ronan, who let out a playful groan of disappointment. “No, it’s fine,” I assured Silas, who cautiously turned back to face us. “What did you bring us to eat?”
Silas, now fully composed, grinned and handed me a bag filled with food. “Some meat, bread, and of course, some mooncakes.” He winked, nodding toward the bag.
“Thank the goddess,” I murmured, eagerly digging into the bag and pulling out a mooncake.
As we settled into a comfortable routine, Silas's expression turned thoughtful. He began to pace slowly around the room. “I’ve been thinking,” he started, his brow furrowed in concern. “Don’t we find it strange that Caelan had Ellyndor soldiers with him?”
I stopped mid-bite as my earlier unease returned. “I was trying not to remember,” I admitted quietly.
“I think he has a secret army,” Ronan interjected, his voice low and serious. “Andan agreement with Ellyndor. They usually don’t get involved with anyone outside their borders, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were supporting him. He is half fae, after all.”
The room fell silent as we considered the implications, and the burden of our situation settled around us once again. If Caelan was in cahoots with Ellyndor, this wouldn’t end well for anyone.
That evening,we left Silas behind and headed toward the pleasure house called the Rose Petal, where I’d spent many long hours. The lounge was renowned in the region for its opulence and the secretive delights it offered to those who frequented its softly lit halls. As Ronan and I approached the grand entrance flanked by tall, velvety curtains the color of deep wine, I felt a pang of nostalgia. Memories of Selene, who once worked within these walls, surfaced unbidden, mingling with concerns about her current well-being back in Valoria with Marcellus… as well as little Henry, who was back home waiting for me.
The interior of the Rose Petal was a vision of luxury and discreet charm. Low, golden lighting cast a warm glow over plush, oversized seating areas that invited whispered conversations and clandestine meetings. The air was perfumed with the subtle scent of exotic flowers and the richer, underlying notes of fruity wine that seemed to permeate every corner.
As we entered, the soft murmur of conversations and the distant, melodious strains of a string quartet added to thelounge’s dusky allure, creating an atmosphere that was both relaxing and slightly intoxicating. I tightened my grip on Ronan’s hand as we navigated through the elegantly dressed patrons and scantily clad women.
We settled into a shadowed booth in the back, away from the most frequented paths of the girls. The soft flicker of candles emitted a gentle glow against the lush velvet drapes and rich mahogany furniture. The air was perfumed with a mixture of sweet incense and the heady aroma of aged wines, creating a clandestine atmosphere that was both inviting and mysterious. As Ronan and I discussed our next moves, our conversation was underscored by the muffled clinking of glasses and the low hum of the lounge’s patrons, each engaged in their own discreet exchanges.
“Do you think we should write to Orion?” I suggested quietly. “Maybe he can tell us a bit more about Ellyndor’s involvement with Caelan.”
Ronan looked pensive. “Why do you think he would know more than we do?” His voice was pitched low to match the hushed ambiance of the lounge.
“Well,” I began, unfolding a silk napkin onto my lap as I collected my thoughts, “before Caelan requested my hand in marriage at the banquet, Orion was just about to tell me something important. He already knew what Caelan had in mind. I didn’t think much of it until this morning, but now I wonder.”
“Do you think Orion is involved?” Ronan asked.
I shrugged. “I find it odd that whenever I found myself embroiled with Caelan while in the Central Plains, Orion was nowhere to be found. Yet he was supposed to protect me, according to the promise he made to Sir Edric. I don’t know, maybe it’s nothing. But as I look back at things, his words and actions don’t add up.”
The implications hung between us, profound with potential meanings and unexplored leads. Ronan’s expression grew more serious, his eyes scanning the lounge as if seeing it anew, considering it not just a place of leisure but a potential ground for gathering crucial information.
“If we contact him, then we’re at risk of letting Caelan know we’re looking into him. We can’t trust Orion.” Ronan’s brow was furrowed as he leaned across the table, his voice barely above a whisper.
I snorted softly, the skepticism clear in my tone. “You’re not wrong, but Orion is different. He made a pact with Sir Edric to protect me. I don’t think he’d do anything to harm me. At least, I hope not.”
Ronan chewed on his lower lip, visibly torn. “I don’t know, Leila. What if—”
His words trailed off as one of Madam Rose’s girls approached our table, her movements fluid and mesmerizing. She was scantily clad, her attire leaving little to the imagination, and her face was veiled, though her obscured features only added to her allure. The sheer cloth covering her nose and mouth rendered her unrecognizable.
Ronan raised an eyebrow and his posture stiffened. “And you are?” he inquired, his tone filled with caution.
“I’m a… friend,” the dancer replied cryptically, her voice a melodic whisper as she swayed gracefully in front of Ronan. He shifted uncomfortably and attempted to maintain a respectful distance. “Relax.” She chuckled, her voice tinged with amusement. “I know you’re taken, but for appearances' sake, I need to entertain,” she continued, her dance hypnotic.
“Who are you?” I pressed, my curiosity piqued. “I don’t recognize you, and I know all the girls here.”
Her laughter rang out, light and seemingly genuine. “I’m… new. But I have some information that could be valuable to you.”
“Which is…?” I prodded, eager to cut through her mysterious act.
She wagged a finger seductively. “All in due time,Princess Lyanna.”
