Page 53 of Facade

“Why in the hell would I wear those gowns? They’re completely impractical.” I scrunched my nose, and he laughed softly. The sound stoked a fire deep in my belly. Stop it.

“True, but you’d look beautiful in them.”

A blush crept across my cheeks. I cast my gaze down before he noticed the effect his words had on me.

Dimitri thanked the female with a dazzling smile of his own, causing her cheeks to redden further, then brought over two sets of keys. Malachai followed close behind with a tray of steaming mugs.

“Why are there only two sets of keys?” I asked, one brow raised. “I hope that’s because you three are sharing.”

“Sorry Ev,” Dimitri grunted as he lifted one of the other bags. I scoffed at the new nickname. He started that up when I was pissed and refused to talk to them. I’d started liking Dimitri, even though he wasn’t my friend. But now, I just saw Fletcher’s face.

“If Aiden wants to keep up the front that you two are married, it might raise some questions if you were to sleep separately. And this city may seem big, but I assure you, everyone is connected and watching,” he warned as he handed Aiden a key.

“After you, darling,” Aiden drawled, amusement in his eyes. My jaw worked as I stomped past.

Tucked away on the other side of the bar was a curtain concealing a tight, winding staircase that led to a second floor. Only four doors lined the narrow hall.

“No wonder the old male mentioned it’s good there are no travelers,” I muttered.

There were even fewer than I thought once I realized the first door on our left wasn’t a room at all, but a bathing chamber—a cramped space with a working tub, a stained but functioning toilet, and a tiny mirror clouded from age. I caught a glimpse of myself and stiffened. It wasn’t the haggard mess that gave me pause—the frizzed blonde hair, the dirt ground into my skin, or even the dark bags under my eyes from nights spent half awake. It was the flash of silver that cut across the glass and vanished in a heartbeat.

I blinked once. Twice. Had I imagined it? Thoughts of that stranger had finally faded, yet my mind continued to dredge him up, as if I’m not supposed to forget the odd encounter.

Aiden leaned over my shoulder, startling me from my stupor, and studied the tiny chamber.

“If we need to conserve water—”

“What?” Embarrassment burned hotter than anger as heat licked my cheeks.

One dark brow arched as he looked down at me.

“I was going to suggest that Dimitri and Malachai share. Honestly, I think the lack of sleep is affecting how your mind processes things,” he murmured as he pulled back. I shot daggers at the back of his head for the attempt at a joke.

The rooms were across the hall from one another. Aiden and I squeezed into the room on the right. It was very small with one bed in the center, a small, patchy armchair in the corner next to the door, and an old oil lamp on a tiny, scratched nightstand. Gray skies were visible in the small skylight overhead. Despite the worn furniture, the room held the aroma of citrus and cinnamon. Charming—if I wasn’t forced to share it with him.

“Look, I know none of this is ideal, but we all need a break from riding.” Aiden offered as he set the bag at the foot of the bed.

“Whatever. Out of curiosity, if our room is this small, what exactly are Dimitri and Malachai supposed to do?” I asked. They were huge males. I doubted they could both squeeze into the room at all.

Aiden chuckled. “Dimitri needs to shift tonight. He gets a little… antsy if he doesn’t shift often.” He shifted with those men. “I sometimes forget you have no memory of anything,” he muttered, more to himself as his eyes roamed over me. “Werewolves have to shift regularly. If not, the wolf will take over, making them shift against their will. Happens often to younger wolves. It’d be embarrassing for someone like him. Similar to Gargoyles.”

“The Gargoyles?” Now my interest was piqued.

He froze, as if realizing he'd mentioned the forbidden species, yet again. “Yeah…” he tapered off chewing on his lip. “They were similar in their need to shift. Anyway, he’ll have to go several miles east so he doesn’t attract any attention. Knowing him, he’ll hunt and stay out for the night as a wolf.” He finished as he lowered himself into the armchair. Disappointment flared, but I didn’t push my favorite subject further.

“But it’ll be freezing,” I exclaimed.

“Trust me, he’ll be fine. Wolves run hot. The Werewolves initially claimed the territory north of Castle Lawryn because of the mountains—“

“Mountains? What kind of mountains?” I interrupted, my dreams barging to the forefront of my mind.

Aiden contemplated a moment, as if weighing his answer.

“Yes, mountains. Mostly rock and ice. Why do you ask?”

“I—I don’t know,” I stammered as I plopped down on the bed, mind racing. “I’ve seen the same mountains over and over in my dreams.”

“Can you tell me about them? Your dreams?”