Page 20 of The Wolf and Her Shadows

And when we’d first reached Drixton, the small town we’re in now, Vannaria had immediately removed her own cloak and wrapped it around me, further helping to hide my identity. Along with reminding me to be sure and use the new nickname she’d bestowed upon me. We hadn’t been riding the horse, figured it would be safest to keep him fresh in case we needed to make a hasty escape from anyone, or anything, but she’d insisted on me mounting him before we entered the town itself. And she’d only allowed me to dismount after she’d procured us rooms at a small tavern, near the outskirts.

Just in case, she’d said.

Luckily, her overprotectiveness hadn’t been warranted because no one had so much as batted an eye as we’d made our way down the street. At least from what I could tell, my eyes had been mostly covered by the hood pulled low over them after all. It had been like that when I’d first come through here seven years ago as well, although back then I’d wish someone had taken notice of me. Helped me.

I shake my head, banishing the thought before it can consume me.

This time is different. And now here I sit, waiting in the tavern’s dining area for Vannaria to return from her quick shopping trip with a large plate of food in front of me and an equally large tankard of ale in my hand.

Another risk she hadn’t wanted to take. For me to do my own replacement clothing shopping. The travel clothes she’d loaned me before we’d departed that afternoon had fit, but just barely. She’s not only a bit taller than I am, but quite a bit more muscular as well. Honestly, I like this outfit better than my previous one though. I’ve missed wearing trousers, skirts and dresses are horribly inconvenient at times. But, I suppose anything would’ve been better than strolling through the woods naked.

Although in hindsight I could have simply stayed in my wolven form for most of the journey. Even if it would’ve been a bit difficult to do so after not shifting for so long. Perhaps before arriving at the next town, I can–

“Is this seat taken?”

My wandering thoughts come to an abrupt halt at the question, replaced by cursing myself for having allowed someone to get so close without noticing. Lifting my gaze from the ale I’ve been mindlessly swirling, I’m met with a rather lovely looking blonde woman. One who’s smiling down at me with her bottom lip between her teeth, the neckline of her pale blue dress’s low enough to show off the tops of her breasts.

“No, it isn’t.” I shake my head and with my free hand gesture to the chair in question. “You’re welcome to join me, if you’d like.”

The woman’s smile grows wider as she gracefully lowers herself onto the seat across from me. Tilting her head, she slowly trails her light blue eyes up and down my form while twirling a lock of hair that's fallen loose from her intricate bun around her finger. “Haven’t seen you around here before, what brings you to our humble establishment?”

Her question gives me pause, unsure of the safest way to answer. Glancing around the room, I notice several other women, and a few men, behaving in a similar manner as the woman sitting before me. It’s at this moment I realize Vannaria may or may not have secured us rooms in a very particular type of tavern. Was it intentional?

Well, I suppose that hardly matters right now.

I give the woman my most charming smile back before swiping my tongue across my lower lip. “Well, my friend and I are simply passing through. This seemed like a fairly decent place to bed down for the night.”

“And where is this friend of yours?” The woman takes the mug out of my hand, helping herself to a sip of my ale. “You looked awfully lonely, sitting over here by yourself.”

Leaning back in my chair, I cross my arms and give her a carefree shrug. “She’s not here. At least, not right now.”

“Is that so?” The blonde takes another sip before placing the mug back on the table in front of me, bending forward enough that I have a perfect view of her rather impressive cleavage. “She should be ashamed, leaving a woman as lovely as yourself to dine alone.”

I lean forward as well, resting my elbows on the table. “Well, maybe her loss can be your gain. How much would it cost me to get a little something else to eat? Perhaps a bit of…” I deliberately lower my eyes to the breasts straining against the confines of her dress. “...dessert.”

Her smile turns positively wicked. “Normally my time comes at a steep price, but for you…” She gives me another slow once-over. “You, my friend, are gorgeous enough to earn yourself a discount. Two gold for two hours. Sound like a fair deal?”

“That it does. I have no doubt you’ll be worth every bit of it.” With a smirk curling at my lips, I dip my hand into the small pouch Vannaria had loaned me and pull out two of the gold coins she’d left inside it. Holding them in the air between us, I tip my head towards the staircase leading to our rented rooms. “Shall we?”

The blonde’s fingers sensually caress mine as she takes the coins from my hand. She slips them…somewhere, then rises from her chair. As soon as I do the same, the courtesan reaches out to twirl a lock of my no doubt incredibly tangled hair before gently gripping the collar of my borrowed shirt. After tipping her head in a barely noticeable nod to the bartender, she begins gently tugging me along behind her as she makes for the stairs.

A fresh wave of guilt washes over me as I follow her. I’m hardly unfamiliar with brothels, but it’s been quite some time since I’ve visited one. It was back when I’d lived with my father. Before he’d come into the picture. And after I’d fled… Well, I’d been too busy trying to stay hidden. My past has nothing to do with the feelings I’m having now, however.

It’s Vannaria.

Ever since falling asleep in her lap after the Drithgal attack, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. Perhaps even before then. Sure, we’ve been traveling together so it’s only natural to feel a bit of a connection to her. But this? I know attraction when I feel it and I need something, or better yet someone, to distract myself with before I act on my foolish feelings without considering the consequences first.

Courtesans do not come with consequences, that’s the glory of them.

As we reach the top of the stairs and begin down the long hallway lined with individual rooms, my beautiful distraction gives me a coy smile over her shoulder and asks, “Darling, do tell me which room is yours, will you?”

“Hmm. But of course.” Reaching back into the pouch at my waist, I pull out the key to my room and hold it out to her. “Room seven. I’m sure you know the way.”

She takes it from me with her free hand, the other still gripping my collar. “That I do.”

Hopefully Vannaria will assume I’d gotten tired of waiting for her in the dining area and had simply retired to my room. I would hate for her to be worried at my absence, should she return before I make my way back downstairs.

Giving me yet another dazzling smile, the courtesan slips the key into the lock on my door, opens it, then tugs me inside. Any more thoughts of Vannaria are wiped from my mind as warm breath ghosts over my lips. Abandoning all restraint, I slam the door shut behind me and press our bodies together, my mouth claiming the blonde’s in a kiss near-violent in its intensity.