Already, a rock has dropped into my stomach, filling me with dread. I force my face back into the mask I wear with clients and throw back my shoulders. Ulfhild can’t see my fear.
“He pays well,” Ulfhild explains, as if that’s all the answer I need. “And I know a safe route.”
Another madam who cares more about money than her girls.Looks like Ulfhild will be a foe.
“There’s no safe route,” I insist. “The last time you sent a harem, three were caught. You paid dearly to retrieve them and even then, two nearly lost their lives. If they catch us this time, we’ll all be dead. The penalty allows no exceptions. You know that.”
Ulfhild’s eyes widen in surprise at the knowledge she didn’t know I possess. And then she smiles, her face settling into a look of cold calculation.
“You’ll be there to help make sure everyone is safe.”
I stare at her for a moment, evaluating her resolve. Finally, I dip my chin. She isn’t going to change her mind. Bevin wants me here, so I have no choice but to go where Ulfhild sends me.
This isnotthe northern Nest, I remind myself.I don’t have any reason to fear this place. And as much as I dread it, I need to go to Vanatia’s forbidden areas. The training grounds should have a library I can search. I’ve never had an opportunity like this.
I just wish my stomach agreed.
“Who’s going?”
“Liv will join this time. She knows well the rules to follow when dragons may be doing drills nearby.”
I spin my head to look at the woman who somehow feels like an ally, though we barely know each other. It’s unsettling. I have few friends and didn’t want another. Still, I feel strangely connected to her. She’s pale, holding her chin high but unable to hide its slight tremble as she wipes her hands down her skirt. Liv is just as terrified as me of sneaking into the outskirts of the southern training grounds, but she has no more choice than I do.
“Frida will be in charge,” Ulfhild continues. “She’s led this trip before. Ten other girls will join you, along with a few guards.”
“When do we leave?” I ask at last.
“Tomorrow morning. Bring clothes for a week.” Ulfhild pauses before asking, her voice skeptical, “Do you have dresses you can wear?”
“I will be exactly who I need to be,” I assure her as I leave.
I show up in the morning ready for travel—my extremely revealing gowns packed away where they belong for as long as possible—only to find all the girls looking like they plan to find extra jobs along the way.
“Why would they be dressed like this already?” I ask Ulfhild as I gesture toward the skin on display.
“We have a reputation to maintain,” she explains in her most peremptory tone. “Whenever we leave the house for work, we dress for the occasion.”
“And do you expect me to bare everything for this two-day trip? Where would I hide my knives?”
“You’ll need to get creative. I have great faith in you.”
Ulfhild spins and strides away, leaving me wondering why in the nine worlds I agreed to do this. I knew I’d need to conceal a dozen knives in odd places once we got there but didn’t expect I’d have to travel for two days with them hidden beneath a courtesan’s dress.
But if I need to look the part now, that’s what I’ll do. I spend the next fifteen minutes in the bathroom finding places for all my blades under one of the ridiculous outfits I brought with me. Finally, when I feel like I can sit down without spreading wide for all to see, I emerge and join the harem.
Within an hour after climbing into the small, rickety carriage, I need to pull the knives from my thighs. I can’t move with the sheaths constantly rubbing against my most sensitive parts, a pair of cocks poised to pick me apart from the inside out. Soon, the knives under my arms come off. And then the three along my back.
Liv and the others watch with increasing laughter as I give up one blade after another, stowing a few next to me and the rest in my bag. I hate feeling unprotected, especially if I’m stuck inside and can’t watch my surroundings.
We reach the inn after sunset, gratefully stepping out of the trap that held us. Next time, I’ll insist on a horse. I’ll dress as a man for the trip if I need to. That would be better than this ridiculous dress.
Dinner is good, at least. It helps tamp down the anxiety that’s been building in me all day, as we get closer to the training grounds. And it gives me a chance to watch everyone—the girls and their guards. Most seem comfortable, eager even, despite the destination. They’ve been before and know that usually the trip there and back is safe. The guards aren’t nearly attentive enough. Other guests watch us with interest. It wouldn’t take much to overwhelm the sentries in the food hall.
We pair up for the evening and I insist on sharing a room with Liv. I need to learn what she knows about dragon training grounds.
“Not much,” she insists, a shrug lifting her shoulders. “You know how secretive they are. At home, we’d see them sometimes during the day, when the senior riders take their dragons on security runs. We never saw anything else. Children’s lessons all include the importance of training secrecy. It’s drilled into us.”
“You don’t know why?
