~ 22 ~
ANYA
I tug the top off one crate and dig around, looking for anything we don’t want to leave behind.
Huh. Here’s the tea strainer. I slide it into my still-mostly-wet pocket. Guess there’s still some useful stuff around. I’ll send someone back to grab it all later.
Once we’ve finished recon and have everything of value packed up, the Thieves’ Guild will head out—ideally through the deep tunnels to avoid an awkward intersection with the royal forces as they also make their leave.
Speaking of intersecting with royals...
I lift my fingers to my mouth. A hidden smile forms.
My abduction of Sabri didn’t go quite the way I had expected—on the contrary, it had far exceeded my expectations in a particularly delightful way. Not only had I managed to woo Sabri to our cause—maybe not entirely, but enough to count as a success—I seem to have got the princess hooked on a more carnal cause, too.
I replace the lid on the crate, my fingers lingering on the wood. The feeling of Sabri beneath my touch is still vivid in my mind. When I focus, I can hear her sweet moans echoing through the cavern.
Who would have thought our confrontation would end up like that? Sheesh, if only I could tell my younger self. Wonder what little Anya would’ve thought. She’d probably be happy to be with Sabri, regardless of what that entailed.
The thought brings a bitter smile to my face.
To be with Sabri… yeah. Allies with benefits is more than I expected. It’s plenty enough for me.
“Mikko,” I call.
It has to be.
Mikko scuttles off one of the closed boxes as I kick out the lingering embers of the small campfire. “We’re heading out.”
I’m not sure whether he understands words, but the little guy is good at picking up meaning. He’s happily clicking his way down the tunnel before I say anything else.
I step after him, giving one last cursory glance over the campsite. It’s not safe to keep using a site that’s been infiltrated, but still; I have to admit I’m kind of sad to leave this spot behind. I always liked the hot springs, and never more so than today.
Actually, better check the pools one more time.
Sure that Mikko won’t mind if I take another minute, I retrace the path back to the pools. I had left immediately after Sabri, following at a distance to make sure she got back okay. Once she was safe, I checked in with Minx and the others—they’re doing a thorough check of the place so that nothing and no one gets left behind.
The steamy warmth is inviting. My clothes didn’t fully dry earlier and I haven’t had a chance to get a backup outfit, but I also don’t have time for another dip. Plus, after earlier, the pool seems oddly lonely right now.
Damn, Sab, you’ve ruined me. I sigh as I peer through the steam. Now I can’t even take a bath alone without thinking about you.
Something catches my eye on the floor by a pillar; it looks like a folded piece of clothing.
“Hmm…?”
A quick nudge reveals that it’s a shirt. I’m confused for a moment before I see the crown’s emblem stitched in golden fabric. It must be Sabri’s undershirt that she left behind—but how did she miss it?
“Not thinking again, probably.” I can’t keep the fond note out of my voice as I reach down to pick up the shirt.
Something falls out of the fabric as I lift it up. The clank of delicate metal against tile echoes throughout the space.
“Hang on. This is…”
Even in the dull glow of the fading light, the heart-shaped silver locket is unmistakable in my hand.
“Ha,” I breathe out as I twist it around. Although the chain is broken, the locket is immaculate. It’s clear that it’s been very well cared for over the years.
There’s no way Sabri would have forgotten something like this. Didn’t she say she always had it with her?
I close my fingers over the necklace. Maybe it’s because it’s been resting close to the hot springs, but the heart-shaped metal is warm in my grasp.
A souvenir after all—but not something stolen. Something given.
Somehow, that’s even better.
As I tuck the locket carefully into my pocket next to the tea strainer, I can’t help but think that it feels like a promise.
Just you wait, Sab , I think as I follow the path where Mikko disappeared.
We’ve met and parted countless times over our lives, but today proved that there’s something holding us together. This isn’t the first time I’ve watched Sabri leave, but know I now, more than ever, that we’ll always find a way back to one another. It’s dangerous; what we have between us is likely to bring one or both of us to ruin, yet I can’t help but be excited.
You better be ready, Sabri Melsbrand. The locket jingles encouragingly in my pocket. Because next time, I’m coming for you.
TO BE CONTINUED