“Don’t take it personally,” she whispered. “You’re still our friend.”
Ilain’s eyes widened, then she laughed. “Oh, Evie,” she said with a sigh. She stood, grinning like her old self. “You are delightfully obtuse sometimes.”
“Excuse me?” Evylin said, unsure if she should be offended.
Ilain dipped her head closer. “I’ll give you a hint,” she said, slipping her arm through Evylin’s. “What’s five foot, seven inches with shaggy brown hair and a blush to rival Reyana’s?”
Evylin smirked. “Ethenn.”
“Precisely.”
Allowing Ilain to lead her out of the room, Evylin moved behind the group and back into the hotel’s lobby. Maurus awaited them at his desk, reading his book. Evylin tried to catch a glimpse of the title but failed as the clerk handed out keys and gave directions to their rooms. He’d given them an entire wing on the third floor, it seemed.
“Best rooms in the place,” Maurus said. “You’ll find the bathing chambers at the end of the hall, one for the men and one for the ladies. My son, Hendrin, brought in your saddlebags.” He gestured to the stack behind the counter, and Thom and Ethenn began to hand them out. “And earlier, he lit the stoves and stocked each room with additional provisions. You’ll find some new clothes, soaps, oils, those sorts of things. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you,” Deckard said, taking both his and Evylin’s saddlebags.
Maurus smiled. “It’s our pleasure,” he said, eyes darting to the empty foyer. “What with what all you’re doing for our people.”
Vayden, Isla, and Reyana parted from the troop on the second floor, heading to their previously acquired room. Evylin glanced after them, wondering what they intended to do with their daughter if the Alliance approved their place on the team. They couldn’t bring a thirteen-year-old along with them to recover the Relics. Would they send her to live with family? Did the Calders have other family? Ilain had mentioned their parents living in the province of the Highloft Moors, but that was at leasta week’s journey from Mouroc. Would they send the girl such a distance alone?
Up the next flight of stairs, they found their rooms at the back of the building, nearest to the bathing chambers. Six rooms lined the hall, one each for Thom, Rafferty, Ethenn, Ilain, and Auden. A final room for Evylin and Deckard was at the very end—Maurus had been specific about its location, telling them the other rooms were singles and wouldn’t suit a couple. Though Evylin only caught a glimpse of Thom’s room across the hall from theirs, the reason was evident in that brief sighting alone. The singles were narrow, small spaces, though well-lit by a tall window and well-dressed with single-person beds.
However, stepping into her room with Deckard, Evylin felt that Maurus had vastly undersold the difference. Their room wasn’t just larger—it was a suite. The crimson wallpaper and mahogany paneling continued through the room, little gold flecks in the damask catching in the oil lamps’ light. A small stove sat in the corner, heating the room with a two-person table at its side, already dressed for tea, while a kettle awaited warming over the burner. Heavy draperies pulled back on either side, a grand window flooded the room with light. It overlooked the back of the building, giving a glimpse of the triangular courtyard. A golden chandelier, simple but elegant, hung over a settee with brown paper-wrapped packages waiting to be opened. At the back of the room stood a wardrobe and a changing screen.
And in the center, a large, four-poster bed with crimson curtains and matching bedding beckoned her.
Deckard shut the door, and Evylin’s shoulders slumped as she stared at the bed. “Do you think we have time for a nap?” she asked.
A soft chuckle escaped him. He moved to set the saddlebags next to the packages on the tea table. “It’s,” he glanced at theclock on the side table, “a quarter past two, and Vayden said the meeting is set to begin at seven, so I’d say, yes.”
Evylin sighed and flopped face-first onto the bed. “Praise Allore,” she mumbled into the comforter. Then she lifted her head to look at Deckard, propping herself on her elbows. “When is dinner?”
He took a seat at the foot of the bed. “We just ate, and you’re already concerned about dinner?”
“We had a snack,” she corrected. “And I haven’t eaten properly in months. Now, when Vayden was giving you our schedule, did he happen to mention when we’ll be eating?”
Deckard smiled fondly. “He did.”
“And?”
“The meeting includes a meal.”
Evylin pursed her lips. “Well, at least we’ll have nourishment while we listen to people drone on for hours.”
“You expect the meeting to be boring?”
“My father is a magistrate,” she reminded him. “I grew up going to ‘hearings.’ All of them were boring. And none of them had food.”
“Poor child.”
Evylin poked his thigh. “Don’t mock me,” she said. “I’m testy when I’m hungry and even more so when I’m tired.”
Deckard snatched her hand from the bed and kissed her knuckles. “So I’ve learned. But may I make a suggestion?”
“If you must.”
“Perhaps you’d enjoy your nap more should you take a bath first.”
