Page 67 of Heartbreak Prince

Her lips tighten and she nods.

“This vial can change your life,” I say. “Use what we paid for the room to rent a carpet to any nearby city, where you can sell this paint at one of the under-markets or at a broker’s shop. You’ll have enough money to start over in another town if you want to, or you can live more comfortably here. Your children will have the food and clothing they need. All you have to do is repair our carpet and take the vial. We’ll go on our way, and you’ll do more than survive—you’ll be able to live.”

She licks her dry lips and gives me another nod.

“Good. How long will it take to make the repair? We’d like to be on our way as soon as possible.”

“I have a repair loom, thread, and fiber adhesive here,” she says. “But it looks as if some of the unicorn hairs are frayed, which means I can’t splint them back together. The energy won’t flow properly. I’ll have to obtain replacements at the weaving labs tomorrow. I have a source, a friend who can supply me with what I need. But the hairs will cost more money than I have on hand.” She raises an eyebrow expectantly.

Shit. I don’t want to give her the vial until the job is done, and the coins I have left won’t come close to covering the cost of unicorn hairs. There’s only one other option.

I flip open another pouch on my belt and pull out one of Vawn’s rings. It’s printed with the glyph for strength, flanked by two small rubies. “You can give this to your source in exchange for the hairs.”

This time the light in her eyes is pure greed. I have transformed from another desperate woman into a mysterious source of wealth.

“Did you steal this, too?” Gwin asks.

“Yes. From a noble lady.”

“It looks like a man’s ring.”

“She was a mannish sort. Don’t ask me any more questions. Do you want it or not?”

Gwin’s fingers close around the ring. “I’ll have the repair done by midnight tomorrow.”

“Thank you. And now, if you don’t mind, my brother and I will retire early. We’d rather not be disturbed.” I let my hand settle on the hilt of one of my knives, a hint of what will happen if anyone enters our room and tries to take the vial or our remaining coins.

Awareness flickers in the woman’s eyes. “No one will disturb you.”

“Good.” I roll up the carpet and lay him back in his case. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You are welcome to it. We have no baths available tonight, but there is a washstand in the room, and a privy with a sink across the hall. May you and your brother rest well.” Her voice floats after me as I head down the short hallway.

I don’t like leaving the carpet on the table, but it’s a sign of trust, one that I think is wise given the cautious dance in which our hostess and I are engaged.

Before heading into our room for the night, I stop in the privy to relieve myself. At the sink, I wash as much of my body as I can, paying special attention to my armpits and crotch. Travel is not conducive to cleanliness, and I’d rather smell decent if I have to sleep pressed up against the prince.

I don’t have nightclothes, but I put on fresh underthings, swirl my cloak around myself, and head to the room.

Vawn is standing in the corner, still shrouded in his cloak.

“You should go to the privy across the hall and wash yourself. There’s soap.” I hesitate, then add, in a half-whisper. “I don’t want to sleep next to a smelly man.”

He presses a hand over his heart as if he’s deeply offended. “Such a rude sister. You should make allowances for your poor, scarred, brain-damaged brother.”

“Go.” I hand him his satchel and shoo him away. “Keep your hood up.”

I spend the next half hour fretting, chewing on dried fruit, and wondering what’s taking him so long. The sounds of the house quiet down as the woman and her children find their beds.

Finally Vawn re-enters the room to find me sitting on a chair in my underclothes, gnawing a stick of dried meat and jiggling my knee nervously.

“What took you so long?” I demand.

“You said you wanted me clean. And I had to take care of other things.”

“Other things?”

He raises his eyebrows. “Do you want me to go into detail?”