Page 30 of Vathia
As the sun finally melts below the horizon we approach the city. The orange glow in the distance from streetlamps lights up our destination. Aemon and Evisdor lower towards the ground and we follow suit, landing beside him. Our two beasts rest their heads against each other and I feel their love for each other pulse down the bond like a steady drum beat.
Aemon clears his throat. “We will have to walk the rest of the way into Cellis; there’s no room for them to land there. We will meet them back here in the morning.”
“Will they be safe?” I ask, worrying for Vasari.
He chuckles deeply, and the sound settles between my legs. No, we are still upset with him.
“They’ll fly off somewhere and nest for the night. They’ll be fine.” He disappears and reappears below my dragon, grinning up at me. “Do you need help down?” he asks with a sly grin, like he knows exactly how much pain I’m in.
I try again to reach for the power of shadows that I know slithers in my veins, but it seems just out of reach. I groan, knowing that this is going to hurt. “No, I’ve got this.”
He raises a pale brow which is barely visible in the fading light, shrugs his shoulders and steps back, gesturing for me to continue. Smug bastard.
Taking a deep breath, I begin to shift off Vasari, smothering every grunt, gasp and groan of pain as my muscles pinch and ache. Once I get moving, they will loosen up and it’ll feel better, I remind myself. It takes a couple minutes but I get down.
Leaning my head back to peer up at him, I grin. “See, I told you I’d be fine.”
His lavender eyes glint mischievously. “Of course you are. Come on, let’s move. Unless you’re in so much pain you’d rather I use the shadows to travel us into the city?”
I cross my arms, barely hiding my wince. “Nope. I’m perfectly fine. After you.” I gesture to the path that’s worn down by travelers before saying my goodnight to Vasari. What’s a little walk, anyway? It’ll be good to stretch my muscles out after a day’s worth of flying.
I WAS WRONG. I was so fates-damned wrong.
We make it into Cellis and I nearly collapse with relief. That walk was so much longer than I thought it would be and every part of my body is screaming at me to just faceplant and die in the middle of the cobblestone road.
“The inn is just up ahead. Do you need a moment?” Aemon asks, seeming a little too joyful at my predicament… not that I’ve let on I have one.
I would shake my head but I’m scared my neck might kink up, so I settle for words. “Nope, lead the way.”
I’m glad to be following him, because I can’t help but drink in the sights of this quaint city. Large stone townhomes covered in thick flowering vines line the street, some transformed into shops with living quarters above. All of them are lit up with small fire sconces and have dark wooden decorative beams that give the building a sense of timeless beauty. It’s stunning.
We enter into a place that has a hanging sign reading ‘Mallard Tavern and Inn’. Aemon ushers me through the door in front of him, guiding me towards the barkeep where a beautiful fae female with pale locks tipped with red is cleaning a glass and chatting with her patrons.
She sees us approach and grins. “Well if it isn’t Lord Aemon. What can I do for you tonight?”
My eyes narrow with suspicion as I glance up at Aemon who just smiles politely. “Evening, Matilda. My companion and I need two rooms for the night, please. Preferably rooms with a tub, and also some hot meals. Thank you,” he says, reaching around me to place a few gold coins on the counter.
That seems like far too much to pay for all that, but that’s not what has me rattled. He knows her by name. A surge of jealousy erupts from the pit of my stomach. Is he going to see her after we turn in for the night? Is that what that extra coin is for?
Matilda smiles and shakes her head, taking only one gold coin and handing the rest back. “Unfortunately we only have one room available tonight. I can see about sending up some extra blankets if one of you wants to camp out on the floor.” She hands him a key. “Meals can be sent up shortly unless you’d like to eat down here?”
The green-eyed monster within me settles a bit knowing that we are sharing a room, but then realization hits. “Are you sure you don’t have any other rooms available?”
She shakes her head. “Sorry M’lady. If you’re worried about your virtue I can set him up in the store room, once we close up for the night.”
I blink in shock. “No, it’s fine. Never mind.” I don’t like the idea of him not near me, where this female has access to him. What in the fates is going on with me?
Aemon chuckles. “Thank you. We will have the food sent up, please.”
She nods before turning around and heading into what I’m assuming is the kitchen.
Aemon leans down and whispers in my ear as he guides me up the stairs leading above the tavern. “Matilda is just a friend. You have nothing to worry about.”
“And how familiar are you with thisfriend?” I ask, unable to keep the bitterness from my tone.
“Is my Little Dream jealous? My cock has never been inside her if that’s what you’re asking.” He unlocks the door and I freeze, not thinking of the implications of sharing a room. The bed looks big enough to barely fit two fae. Then I remember the comments about sending extra blankets to sleep on the floor.
“Well, I suppose that’s a good thing,” I mumble, glad he hasn’t slept with the female, and then add, “I’ll take the floor.”
