Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
FYN
She stared at the stew as if I was trying to poison her with it.
Who even knew what she was doing with the bread.
I thought someone would have warned her what this trip entailed. Surely, Aelira could have said something. It would’ve been much less awkward if she had.
I was growing painfully aware of how trapped Ashlyn felt with me.
A bumpy shred of mushroom scraped my throat. Sure, the stew wasn’t much to look at, but its warmth was exactly what I needed after a long day on the road.
“Are you good for the night, or do you need anything else?” Stars, I didn’t know what to say as I sat across from her.
The room was far too cramped.
She shook her head, still eyeing the bed and the sofa.
“I can face the wall if it makes you feel better.” I would need to so I would feel better.
Voices trailed through the halls. Female laughter sounded from down the hall.
“You stay here often?” she asked.
“It’s on my route.” I poured a cup of water for her and pushed it across the table.
“She seemed convinced…”
Vina really did a number on her downstairs. “Don’t mind Vina. She’s always getting in everyone’s business.”
“Fyn,” she said my name like it was hard for her to swallow.
I couldn’t handle any more conversation today. Enough words had already been spoken. I had already said almost too much. “We should get some rest.”
It was going to be a fantastic night.
Hopefully I’d sleep for a bit. I wasn’t sure if she would at all.
She rose from the chair and went for her bag, unlacing the leather ties that sealed it shut. She pulled out a slim nightgown, that had been rolled up in a tight wad.
I looked out at the darkened streets of Arnlow. They flickered with the late lamplight.
“Don’t turn around.” Her words wavered.
I wouldn’t dare.
“They’re truly worried about what I’ll do when I get to Estlen, aren’t they?” She asked. “Did you see the way he looked at me when we left?”
“Lioran looks like that half the time. He’s very serious if your name isn’t Aelira.”
“He feels better that you went with me.” Her boots clacked on the floor, her clothes hit afterwards.
“I wouldn’t say that.” That was definitely not what he said to me before we left.
“He knows I am unlikely to do something foolish with you around,” she said.
I really hated the stars’ sense of humor—they apparently had none.
“It’s safe to turn around now.”
I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when I did. The moonlight cast a glow on her skin as the fabric wrapped around her too closely. It pulled my gaze to places it shouldn’t.
I took my spot on the sofa, too afraid to look at her any longer.
“Did I say something to upset you?” Her voice softened as I heard the covers shuffle around her.
“No. I’m just exhausted.” I laid down on the sofa.
“Very well, then,” she said. “Goodnight, Fyn.”
“Goodnight, Princess.” I couldn’t say her name.