The feeling inside my chest became a sharp, burning pain, but I ignored it, which was what I’d been doing for twenty plus years.
This potential mating bond was particularly stubborn and irritating and couldn’t take a fucking hint.
Much like Warrick.
“‘Tell him the truth,’” I muttered under my breath. Cade had had some fucking audacity when making his side of the bet.
Not that it mattered now.
Just as I was about to step away and return to my table, Isaiah caught my eye before casually sliding a glance towards a table in the corner, where six Velesians sat. Based on their attire, they were from Fervis. Despite the rising tensions between the Orders, trade did continue. They were likely selling weapons since Fervis was well-known for their blacksmithing.
I gave him a shallow nod in thanks and left several silver coins on the bar to better show my appreciation as I made my way across the tavern to settle at a small table close to the Fervis travelers. They were well into their evening based on how many empty glasses littered the table.
Lovely. The drunker they were, the looser their lips would be.
Settling into my chair, I half listened to them tease a member of their party over his lackluster love life while pondering the Rynn issue.
Something about her working with the Fervis Order didn’t seem right. What if they were blackmailing her somehow? That could’ve been why this seemed like a scheme from them but could’ve also explained Rynn’s reaction to their presence in that meeting.
I sipped my ale. It was also entirely possible there was no deception here. That Rynn really was exactly who she claimed to be: a reluctant pawn of Velesian politics. I’d need to get her alone and question her about Ryker, and then I’d need to figure out how to handle him. I didn’t like the idea of lying to him despite the fact that he’d done it to us, but the conversation needed to be handled carefully.
He also needed to understand that under no circumstances could he pursue the mating bond with Rynn, nor should he ever tell her about it. If they wanted to continue being fuck buddies, fine, but mating was off the table. Rynn would never be a true member of the Alpha pack, and a mating bond would irreparably divide Ryker’s loyalties.
More than they already were.
I’d also need to talk to Ryker about my intentions with Rynn, because while the bet might be off, I still had every intention of getting her into my bed and seeing what sounds I could get her to make while she came all over my tongue.
“We need to get our hands on more shadow-marked weapons,” one of the Fervis traders complained, breaking through my lust-addled thoughts. “They sell quickly enough that we can charge more for the next batch.”
My ears perked up, even as my body stayed in its slumped position. They shouldn’t have been selling any shadow-marked weapons. The Moroi hadn’t figured out how to recreate them, so we had a finite amount.
I was deeply curious to know where these assholes had gotten some to sell.
“I’ll talk to Kelsyn when we get back,” one of the women said. “But he said we were lucky to get the last batch.”
“Bullshit,” the other man scoffed. “He just needs to put some pressure on that Moroi piece of shit to earn his keep.”
“Not our place to question it,” the woman replied smoothly while giving him a warning look. “Don’t fuck up the good thing we have going.”
The man grumbled more but dropped it.
I made a mental note to ask Kieran about any missing shadow-marked weapons. No doubt he’d give me an extremely snarky response, given my recent interaction with Draven. He was also probably still bitter about me stealing his vest, but he didn’t look good in dark purple, so I was doing him a favor anyway.
Another hour passed while I nursed quite possibly the worst ale in all the realms, but no other interesting conversations came up. I left the glass a third full and headed towards the exit. It was time to see what the lovebirds were up to.
“Where have you been?” Rynn snapped when I stepped into our shared room ten minutes later. She stood in front of the still-open window with her arms crossed, her expression tense. Meanwhile, Ryker’s expression was closed off where he leaned against the wall a few feet away from her.
Both of them still had wet hair.
Gods, had they always been this obvious? How had I not noticed all these months?
“Got bored waiting for you two and spotted a gorgeous blonde at the bar. We had quite the evening.” I shrugged off my cloak and hung it on a hook next to the door before glancing at Ryker. “You found something to eat?”
I could practically feel the hole Rynn was burning in the side of my head, but I kept my gaze on Ryker.
“Yeah,” he said after a beat, not looking at Rynn. “We’re both good.”
“Well, I’m starving. Would you mind grabbing me some stew?” I gave him a chagrined smile. “Alton’s working tonight and he’ll talk my ear off if I go down there.”
