Chapter 59
“I just want to make one more stop before we head back,” Daegan says in my ear as he pulls up to a spot to tie up the horse.
“What do you need?” I ask.
“They sell potions and tinctures here. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to grab a few extra.”
“Where did you get all of that money, anyway.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he says with a wink.
I laugh as he grabs my hand and pulls me along after him.
And then it hits me. Today, it almost feels like we’re a normal couple, the kind who can go shopping together and escape to a romantic grove in the forest. If only that were true.
I don’t know if things will ever be easy for us, but for today, I’m going to pretend. And I’m going to enjoy it.
The shop is small, and I’m immediately hit with a powerful aroma, layered with natural scents I can’t quite place.
I begin to wander, curious about all the small bottles and vials that line the walls.
Daegan stops at the front to speak to shopkeeper.
I have a specific thing in mind, one that I hadn’t even thought about until we stepped foot in here.
When I reach a small, dark corner in the back, I find what I’m looking for, and I reach out and take one without hesitation.
Fertility potion. It’s for Daegan, because only males must take it to protect against unwanted pregnancies.
I’m not even sure if a baby between a dragon shifter and an elf is possible, but I don’t want to take any chances right now.
The bell above the door chimes, and I turn to see two figures step inside. On closer inspection, I realize they’re elvish guards. Great.
My heart begins to race as they enter and eye Daegan, walking slowly around him.
It’s fine. We’ve been walking all over this town and no one has suspected us.
I don’t like the way they’re still watching him, though.
Daegan acts completely natural, but I know he’s fully aware of what’s happening around him. He takes a couple vials from the shopkeeper and thanks him.
One of the guards steps closer, his hand on the hilt of his sword at his hip. They haven’t noticed me in this dark corner at the back of the shop yet, I don’t think.
My breathing slows as I watch the guard study Daegan. I don’t like the look on his face.
“Do I know you?” the guard asks Daegan at last.
He turns to look at the guard who’s almost a head shorter than him. “Don’t think so.”
“Hmm. What business are you on outside of Ellyar?” At least the ears are convincing. He thinks Daegan is an elf.
Daegan shrugs. “No business. Just pleasure.”
The guard still doesn’t look done.
I take a step and then in a flash, Daegan’s ruthless side emerges. He knocks the first guard to the ground with one powerful punch, slits his throat with a knife I didn’t even notice him grabbing, then immediately whirls on the other, stabbing him in the side. They both drop.
He throws some coins on the counter, runs for me and grabs my hand, then we sprint out of the shop together.
I follow him into the street toward our horse, but then he stops and quickly turns around. I’m confused, but I follow him. When I glance back over my shoulder, I realize why we diverted. There are two more elvish guards clad in their shining armor standing between us and the horse.
Daegan makes a sharp turn, and we run through a dark alley.
Small rodents scurry among scraps of food as we come to a halt at the end, then he quickly grabs me at the waist and hoists me over the crumbling stone wall.
I sit at the top for a pause, then jump down to the other side.
It’s not high and my landing is clean. He lands on his feet beside me a moment later, then grabs my hand again and begins running.
We pivot again as we catch sight of three more guards at the end of the narrow street. They look like they’re searching diligently, and I’m pretty certain one of them is the guard Daegan stabbed in the side. He survived.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “I should have slit his fucking throat.”
I don’t argue. If these guards catch us, they could jeopardize the entire mission. That’s not going to happen, though.
Before any of them catch sight of us, Daegan opens a door on the side of a large, black, shabby building that looks like an old inn. We hurry inside, shutting the door behind us.
After a quick check of the room, he turns to face me. The look in his eyes makes me nervous. Whatever he’s about to say next, I don’t like it already. “Did they see you at all? In the shop?”
“No.”
“Then it’s only me they’re searching for. I think for your safety, we need to split up. Get back to the inn and I’ll meet you there.”
“No,” I say immediately.
“Elle—”
“We are in this together. We’re not splitting up again if we can help it. Ever. You promised.”
“You tried to have us split up when we sneak into the castle.”
“That’s different.”
“Is it?”
I cross my arms in a show of obstinate defiance. I know he’s right, but I’m not backing down.
His lip pulls at the corner as he dips his head, nodding in defeat. “I promised to do whatever I can to keep you safe. But if you’re going to refuse…”
“I refuse.”
He sighs and grins at me. “Okay.” He leans in and quickly presses his soft lips against mine.
We both look around, assessing the room we’re in. It seems to be a large supply closet, with shelves lining all the walls. On them are folded linens, wooden boxes that I can’t see the contents of, and… “Is that a whip?” I wonder out loud.
Daegan glances that way and raises his eyebrows.
“Why would a supply closet have a door to the outside? And unlocked, no less.”
“Who knows,” he mutters, taking my hand and leading me to the door. He peeks out first, then leads me out after him. We emerge into a long, dimly lit hallway lined with closed doors. “Let’s go this way.”
Both of us walk carefully and quietly through the hall, and I hear the faint sound of voices. Crying, maybe?
We reach the end and turn a corner, where the corridor opens into a large, multi-level room. There’s an exposed second floor with balconies all along the walls, and… curtains?
I’m so busy looking up that I don’t realize what’s happening on the main floor.
Several couples and groups lounge on cushioned seats and beds, getting intimate out in the open.
I hear moaning coming from every direction, and suddenly it all makes sense.
“It’s a fucking pleasure house,” I say, unable to rip my gaze from the activities taking place.
Daegan pulls me around, leading me back the way we came. “Let’s go back to the closet,” he says. We turn the corner and come to a halt.
“No, no, they are almost here! Hide above, but I shall excuse myself from the room of merrymakings.” Kezra pops up out of nowhere, trying to herd us back the other way.
We look past her as the door at the end of the hall begins to crack open and an armored figure steps through.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
Before the guards look our way, Daegan rips me back around the corner, into the huge orgy room.
As soon as we step into the opening, there’s a stairway to our right. We climb it quickly with no one seeming to pay us any mind.
I glance down and catch sight of several pairs of exposed breasts and a few bare asses. And a female’s mouth wrapped around a dick, her head bobbing up and down.
I rip my gaze away as we reach the second floor and hurry along the balcony, passing a few closed curtains.
We rush into the first available little room that’s open.
Each one is separated by walls, with only a curtain at the front.
We step into the small space that holds only a large gold bench with soft cushions running along the back wall.
Daegan rips the gold curtain shut behind us and steps deeper into the room.
“Now what?” I whisper, glancing at him. I’m surprised to find that he looks calm, possibly even amused.
“You’re sure they never saw you?”
“Yes. I was watching them the entire time. They never glanced my way.”
He rubs his long fingers against his jaw as his eyes go out of focus. The stubble there is getting longer, and his lips and cheeks are flushed pink from running.
My body is so ridiculous. Why are we hiding from elvish guards who want to capture us, and yet here I am, suddenly incredibly turned on by him?
My gaze travels up and down his entire muscular body before I look away, trying to calm my body that seems to have a mind of its own, only to feel his attention on me again.
His head is tilted and he’s studying me with a smirk.
“What?” I mumble.
“Nothing.” I can hear the amusement in his voice.
He raises his eyebrows at me.
“Am I that obvious?”
His lips curl into a sweet, closed-mouth smile. “I know you,” he says, his voice gentle.
Both of our heads whip to the side when we hear a commotion not far from us. On the second level. It sounded like someone shouted, “Get out.”
“Fuck,” Daegan says.
I run and jump on the bench, which is incredibly soft. “Get over here,” I whisper harshly at him.
He strides toward me, his eyebrows knitted with confusion, yet there’s no hesitation in his steps.
“Get on your knees,” I demand.
He smirks before quickly dropping to his knees in front of me as I lift my dress and cover his head, hiding him between my legs.
I have never felt so scared and so turned on at the same time.
I can feel his rough hands grip my thighs as he settles between my legs.
His breath is hot against my inner thigh.
I’m afraid he’ll notice the pulsing ache between my legs. And the wetness.
I squirm a little, but he presses down harder on my thighs, steadying me.
Yes, we could probably take those guards easily, but it’s not worth alerting half the town that we’re fugitives. Plus, we didn’t get to see how many entered through that door downstairs. It could be two, or it could be a dozen. Maybe more gathered.
“This isn’t going to work if you’re not selling it,” he says, his voice muffled between my thighs.
“I am!” I snap at him.
He whips my dress off him, catching my expression and giving me a warning glare. “I’m serious. Lean back and relax, love.”