When he opened the door, a tray had been set on the floor. “Usually they wait until I open the door.”
“Guess they didn’t want to disturb whatever activity they think you’re partaking in.” I raised my brow.
“You said it, not me.” The wooden tray thudded on the table as he sat it down. “I know it is not grand, but it’s the way Lioran has allowed your travel to the divide.”
Allowed it. It had been allowed.
Voices rose through the floorboards when silence fell between us. Fyn uncovered our meals and then sat across from me at the table.
A thick stew lay inside our bowls, with heaping bits of what appeared to be brown meat. An oily dew that settled on top when I stirred it.
“What is this meat?” I asked, suddenly afraid it was a squirrel or a rabbit.
He slurped too loudly. “They’re mushrooms.”
I prodded the spoon in the liquid, desperate to find a lingering vegetable I recognized. The spongy dark bread that lay beside it excelled at sopping up the oil. Once a few traces of it remained, I slowly downed the salty liquid.
At least it was warm enough.
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 wouldfeel 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.
