Page 28 of The King's Sword
The server returned with two bowls of soup. After she left, Evander examined and smelled both of them. “It’s safe,” he mumbled, shoving one of them in Sabine’s direction.
“I’m surprised you can eat anything you didn’t prepare yourself.” Lifting her spoon, she took a small bite. It tasted wonderful, though she had no idea what kind of soup it was.
“I’m trained to detect most poisons,” he said. “I also carry a handful of antidotes with me. And I know the owner of this establishment. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be eating here.”
She remembered seeing him in the kitchen at the house in Nisk. She’d assumed he’d been making poisons, not something to neutralize them.
As they ate, along the waterway, people began to light the lanterns hanging outside the buildings. The light reflected on the water like stars, giving the town a magical feel.
When they had finished eating, the server approached them again. She said something to Evander in a language Sabine didn’t understand. He thanked her and she left.
“What was that about?” Sabine asked.
“She said, as of now, Ex hasn’t been spotted in this town.”
“Did you ask her about him?”
“When I ordered the food I did.”
“Does she know who you are?”
“Yes, but not in the way you think.” He leaned forward on the table, closer to her. “This establishment is loyal to my assassin guild.” He tapped his wrist, where his tattoo was, hidden by his long sleeve. “The information I receive, and the loyalty of this place, is from being a part of that guild and not because I am a member of the royal family.”
She reached out and took hold of his hand, pushing his sleeve up just enough to catch a glimpse of his tattoo. She traced her finger over the marking. She’d never seen anything like it. It was a deep red line encircling his wrist with thorns on it. So many questions she wanted to ask, but she knew now was not the time or place.
“It’s one of the reasons we wear long sleeves. We only reveal our association as needed.” He pushed his sleeve down then twisted his hand, taking hold of hers and pulling her up. “Let’s be on our way.”
The two of them wound their way past the tables and toward the door. Sabine noticed a few people glance at Evander but quickly look away. She wondered if they knew who he was.
Outside, he tilted his head to the left, and they headed to the building next door. “We’ll stay here for the night.” He opened the door.
Like the previous inn, this one had a plain room for receiving guests. After Evander paid for a room and got a key, he took Sabine down the hallway to the last door on the left.
The tiny room contained a bed on the floor and nothing else. There was barely enough space for the two of them to move around the bed.
Evander shut and locked the door. “I’m sorry, but this is all they have available.”
“There’s no room for you to sleep on the floor,” she pointed out.
“I know. We’re going to have to share the bed.”
“But…” She couldn’t share a bed with another man. It wouldn’t be appropriate. The ramifications if someone found out were astronomical.
“You can try to sleep on the floor if you don’t trust me to keep my hands to myself,” he said. “You’re smaller might fit between the bed and the wall.” He removed his cloak, rolling it up and placing it along the bottom of the door.
“That’s not it.” If Rainer found out, her reputation would be called into question and he’d never forgive her.
“Ah,” Evander said, a smile on his face. “You’re afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off me.”
Her eyes narrowed, not having expected him to joke with her in such a way. She removed her cloak. “We can’t share a bed,” she said. “If people find out…” Rainer could have her killed. Just like his father had done to his mother. Her hands began to shake.
“We’re sharing a room,” he pointed out. “If anyone discovers that, it makes no difference if we’re in the same bed or not.” He sat on the edge of the bed, removing his boots. “It’s not safe for you to be alone.” He stretched out on the bed, on top of the blankets. “If you’re worried about your husband, I’m sorry. It’s unfortunate he doesn’t trust you or believe what you say. The fact of the matter is I am here as your protection. If Rainer values your life, and I think he does, he has to understand I am only here to keep you alive. If something happens to you, I’m sure he’ll make it his mission in life to kill me for your death.”
Everything Evander said made sense. However, she’d been brought up knowing how important perceptions were. Not seeing a way around it, she removed her shoes, she snuffed out the candle, then slid under the blankets, keeping her back to Evander.
“Goodnight,” he said, amusement dancing in that one single word.
“Night,” Sabine mumbled, trying not to let her frustration seep through. It wasn’t his fault they had to share a bed.
