Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I place a bubbling mug of ale on the table, sliding it toward a cloaked figure. Where I expect a coin in return, a thick black iron key stealthily glides in my direction. Reaching out, I pluck the key from the surface, wondering why someone would give it to me.
“To the back door of our new business. Figured you might not want to be seen going in the front,” a familiar, melodious voice says. “It’s located on the northwest side of town, next to the lodge.”
Tilting my head, I see beneath the hood a pair of dangerous brown eyes and freckled cheeks coming into view. Kaia. Surprise fills me. She followed through and didn’t steal my money. Though I’m unsure why she’s gone to such lengths to be stealthy.
“I’ll stop by as soon as I’m done.”
Kaia nods. “See you soon,” she says quietly, standing and quickly slipping from the tavern’s exit.
I turn to continue my work, trying my best to focus on serving the patrons, but my mind spins with the possibilities.
I drop off more drinks, swapping full tankards for empty ones as soldiers and townspeople fill the tables around me.
We’ve been busy; many northerners drink as a way to stave off the cold, warming their bodies from the inside before braving the snow.
As I wipe off a table, my gaze catches on someone as they enter: Gilead. He shakes the snow off his boots, walking to a small table in the corner of the tavern. He leans back in his chair, weary from a long day, still clad in armor.
“Anything to drink?” I ask with a smile, approaching him.
“Raelys?” His brows draw together at the sight of me. “What are you doing here?”
“Yes, I work at the Whispering Willow.” My tone is exasperated. “Why is everyone so surprised?”
“Have you looked around?” He huffs a laugh. “It isn’t the finest of establishments.”
“I like it.” I giggle, attempting to loosen his gruff and hard exterior. “So, what are you drinking?”
“Just an ale.” He slides a coin for me to take.
Grabbing his drink, I return to the table and slide him the tankard. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Gilead takes it. “And Raelys?”
“Yes?” I whirl, turning back to face him.
“Sorry for almost killing you in the gardens,” he says abashedly.
I laugh, not expecting his apology. “I’m not taking it personally.” I step closer. “You and I didn’t get to chat too much while on the road.”
“That’s because Taryn can’t shut her mouth to take a breath,” he says in a snarky tone. “She’ll chat your ears off. I’m surprised you could handle it for that many days in a row.”
I giggle at his grumpy mood. “I dunno. I kind of like her spirit,” I reply. “Where are you from?”
“Valneth,” he replies.
Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with that territory. “Who is Duke there?”
“Duke Leander Vaughn,” Gilead replies. “But I grew up there long before he was selected.”
“How old are you?” I ask curiously. “You don’t look a day over thirty.”
Gilead lets out a bellowing laugh. “You’re too kind. I’m nearly a decade over that.”
I huff a laugh in return. “Well, holler if you need anything else,” I say sweetly. “See you around.”
“Will do.” He nods.
Turning, I cross the room to straighten out some tables that got moved during the last brawl. The patrons slowly dwindle, allowing me to clean up the last of the empty plates and scattered mess.
“Rae, you can take off. It seems like things are slowing down for the night,” Alastor says as I drop off a few empty dishes.
I take the coins he slides across the bar top, tucking them into my satchel. “Night, Alastor.”
I wave goodbye, turning to exit the Whispering Willow with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As I step out into the cold night, I follow the route Kaia laid out for me. My eyes scan each building on the street as I look for the lodge, wondering which building it is.
Eventually, I come across a manor with a tall wrought-iron fence woven with dense ivy to conceal the building.
The tall stone pilasters frame the carved pediment above the door, the ornate details catching my eye.
I try to peek inside to ensure I am in the right place, but the windows are covered with thick curtains, blocking my view.
Standing in front of the manor are two guards, each well-dressed and polished.
They carry an air of menace to them, as though either could snap me in two with their bare hands.
Kaia likely hired them to protect the manor and the women inside, a good choice to keep everyone safe.
It doesn’t make me any less nervous to approach.
“I’m here—”
“Welcome, Madame,” one says, opening the gate for me to enter.
I walk inside, weaving through the thick, maze-like hedges that circle toward the back of the courtyard. I see a small metal door among the brush. Moving toward it, I try the handle, the lock rattling as I attempt to pull it open. I grab the key, fitting it into the lock and twisting it open.
The door thunks behind me after I enter, and a thick wall of scent hits me.
Incense and rose assail my nose, alluring and heady.
It will cling to my clothes long after I leave.
As I walk deeper into the manor, I notice the red velvet settee and luxurious gossamer curtains, each surface designed to encourage indulgence.
As I take in the opulence of the manor, confusion fills me. Surely, a hundred silver did not pay for all of this. Unless Kaia had a secret stash of gold lying around, this is far beyond what we can afford. My only hope is that she did not go into debt to take on such a large business.
Then I hear it.
Soft moans and breathy begs. Lilting laughter and murmured desires. I pass a room, accidentally peeking through the curtains to see a man on his back, a woman bouncing happily on his length. My cheeks flush from the provocative sight, and I quickly tear my gaze away.
“Hello…”
Turning, I see Kaia dressed in an ornate plum gown. Her long bell sleeves drape elegantly at her sides as she clasps her hands in front of her. Draped across her neck is a sparkling jeweled necklace.
“Madame,” I greet her warmly.
“Here.” She takes my hand, plopping the leather pouch I gave her in my palm.
It’s a decent weight. I hear coins clinking around inside. “I don’t understand. How did you—?”
“I don’t think you realized that was not silver.” Kaia snorts a laugh. “It’s Platasia, a special Elvarran metal mined here in the North. Similar color, but worth about ten times the amount of gold.”
I blink in shock, realizing I gave Kaia coins worth around ten thousand. Even more shocking, though, is that Wrath gave me that pouch. When I asked him for money, I didn’t think he would give me that much.
“Oh,” I say in surprise, tucking away the pouch. “Of course,” I reply, trying to play off my foolishness.
Kaia loops her arm through mine as we stroll down the hall. “That’s your first cut. I suspect we’ll make back half of your investment within a month once the rest of the girls arrive.”
“Excellent,” I muse. “Take good care of them. Ensure they are getting good pay and have breaks.”
“Indeed.” She nods. “This is real work, and I treat my girls well.” Kaia radiates confidence as she walks me through the manor. “Now, about this web…”
My focus on Kaia is easily distracted by the sounds of pounding flesh and loud moans.
Everywhere I look is a provocative sight.
One has his head between a woman’s legs, her head thrown back in ecstasy with her hands lost in his hair.
I wonder what that feels like, to be worshipped like that with tongue and fingers.
“Have you never lain with a man?” she asks curiously, noticing my stare.
“A few times…” I reply, feeling a flush cross my skin, still unable to avert my gaze.
“Well, I have plenty of girls who can show you how to please a man—”
“I’m fine.” I snap my attention back to her as I try to compose myself. “Is there somewhere less… stimulating to speak?”
She snickers at my unease, leading me upstairs. Closing the door behind us, Kaia strides over to a table and plucks a crystal decanter of wine from the bookshelf. She pours us each a glass before leaning lazily against the desk in the center.
“Cheers.” Kaia raises her glass in a toast to mine, the glasses clinking together.
“To lofty goals,” I reply.
“Indeed.” She sips from her wine, her long lashes fluttering closed briefly as she savors the taste.
I take a long pull, noticing the unique taste. It is herbal, with an undertone of spice that is hard to place. It has notes of cinnamon or anise, and the more I drink, the more it grows on me. “There are a few things I need to sort out.” I start, swirling the wine.
“Of course.”
“Do you know who Casimir Bainbridge is?” I ask curiously.
Kaia hums a soft note, losing herself in thought. “That name doesn’t sound familiar to me.”
“That’s all right.” I pivot elsewhere, not wanting to spend too much time on that for now.
“There’s whisperings of a rebellion going around.
I need to find out who leads it.” I waste no time telling Kaia exactly what I require.
“If Master of Coin Harlan Cary stops by, convince him to divert more funds away from the treasury. He recently miscounted ten thousand silver, so I’m sure he can make a few more disappear. ”
“Lofty,” Kaia replies with a saccharine grin.
“There’s a ball coming up at the castle. Do you know what it is?” I ask her.
“Yes, Noctalis. It happens every year.”
“How many people arrive for this event?”
“Usually all the important lords and ladies of the land,” Kaia says in an almost mocking tone as she takes another drink from her glass. “Highborns love a good party.”
“See if you can scrounge up any whispers or secrets for me.”
“What kind of secrets?” She raises a sly brow at me.
“Reputation ruiners.” I take another drink. “Or blackmail material,” I tell her. “The King called Duke Nikolas Sterling of Thalvar to make a deal with him, but I don’t know the details. Is that something you can find out?”
“He’s not the finest gentleman.” Kaia huffs, refilling my glass. “I’m sure he’ll stop by eventually.”
“Do you know which lord handles the harvest?” I ask. While court is busy partying, I’ll have the harvest delayed or sold elsewhere. Causing a famine would be difficult, but if done correctly, it could cause widespread trepidation among Khalessor.
“I’ll chat with my girls to see what they know.”
I nod, scouring my mind for anything else that could forward my plot. Sipping my wine, I move to my next thought. “Do you know anything about the Duke of Ashvarin?” I ask.
Kaia lets out a dreamy sigh. “Now that's a man who can have his way with me.” She stares off in the distance. “Those green eyes and strong arms…”
“Kaia!” My brows raise. “I’m surprised.”
“He’s a bit too honorable to stop by a place like this.” She shrugs. “All men have needs eventually.”
“He’s taken a sudden liking to me, but I don’t trust it. Nor his king,” I tell her the truth.
Kaia giggles. “Then we need to practice your seduction skills.” She sets down her wine glass, reaching out and untying my corset in the front, pushing my breasts together.
“You did much better than that prudish girl I first met at the tavern.” Kaia tucks in my dress. “But you can always do a bit more.”
“What kind of seduction skills?” I stand still, letting her work.
She huffs a laugh. “You think I sit on men’s laps for fun?” Kaia steps away. “I pickpocket them! One well-placed kiss, and I’m sneaking off with all of his coin.”
“Is that what you meant by a little bit of this, a little bit of that?”
“You’re a quick learner!” She smiles. “Men don’t fall for you.
They fall for what you become in their presence.
Some want you to fawn, others dominate, but all men love it when you boost their ego,” Kaia continues.
“So praise their brilliance, then ask them a question, feigning confusion. Men love explaining things.”
I nod, taking in her advice. I’d seen the evidence of this already at the tavern. A well-placed sigh of dismay could make a man want to help. In comparison, others will ramble on nervously while you remain silent.
“You may think that physical touch is essential right away, but you should never give them too much. That’s how you lose your advantage,” she continues.
“Desire is quiet. So look at one eye, then drop your gaze to his lips, then lift your gaze to the other eye. Let their need grow so agonizing that they must have you. Make them chase. Make them crave what you haven’t given them.
That is how you gain control over them.”
Kaia smiles. “Then, when they’re starving and hollow with need…
they snap, finally giving in. And you let them.
Let them kiss you, touch you, fuck you until they’re brainless.
” She sips from her wine. “Then you leave. Disappear for days or weeks and let them burn in your absence until they can’t handle it any longer.
Then you have them wrapped around your finger.
Because they’ll do anything to have you again. ”
She’s right. I am wasting time trying to get Sebastian to trust me when I could be mindlessly flirting with him. Wrath and I have been at each other's throats when I could be swaying his mind with salaciousness. Instead of arguing, I could disarm him.
Kaia opens a second bottle of wine. “Shall I continue?”
“Yes.”