AllFreeNovel
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We stand at the edge of the forest, studying the city for any signs of trouble. Snow falls heavily around us, blanketing the rooftops and streets in a thick layer of white. Walkways and paths lined with slush cut through the ice and snow where people carved paths toward their homes and places of work.
Rows of buildings and houses are stacked and crowded against each other, several of them leaning upon their neighboring structures for support. Golden light spills out from the windows and doorways as puffs of black smoke spiral up from crooked chimneys.
It’s dark and cold out here. Only a few people walk the streets wearing heavy cloaks covered in snow that hide their features from view.
“Dwarves.” Aurdyn’s emerald eyes track the closest one. His nostrils flare and he growls low in his throat. “Dozens of them.”
I’m about to ask where, but I stop as the man opens the door and bright light, raucous laughter, and a cacophony of voices and music spills out into the darkness. I notice a sign tacked to the door that reads ‘vacancies.’
“A tavern with an inn.” I glance at Aurdyn. “They might have rooms.”
His gaze slides to mine and he snorts out a huff of smoke, obviously not fond of the idea of going there. “It is… loud. Perhaps there is another inn further down.”
I place my hands on my hips. “And just where did you imagine we’d take shelter, if not in a place like that?” I gesture to the village. “This is a mining town, not a place people come for their leisure.”
A woman shrieks and my head snaps toward the tavern as a man roughly grabs her and then pins her back against the outer wall. Panic trips my heart, and I gasp. “He’s assaulting her.” I push up to my feet. “We have to—”
Aurdyn grasps my forearm, pulling me back down. “Quiet,” his voice is a hushed whisper.
Infuriated, I rip my arm from his grasp. “We have to help her. We cannot—”
I stop abruptly as the man captures her lips in a sloppy looking kiss. The woman releases a throaty moan and her partner grunts in response, hoisting her up as she wraps her legs around his waist, running her fingers through his hair.
Heat burns my cheeks and I quickly avert my gaze. Aurdyn scowls at the pair. “Dwarves,” he grumbles again, disgust easily written across his normally stoic expression. “This tavern is little more than a brothel. We’ll not be staying there.”
I’m shivering beside him, clenching my jaw, trying to keep my teeth from chattering. “I do not think we have much choice right now.” I notice he seems fine out here. Not visibly bothered by the cold at all. “It’s all fine and well for you to be picky about where we shelter, but I’ll freeze to death if we don’t find somewhere to stay soon.”
He turns to me and I think he means to argue, but instead he takes my hand and starts to pull me with him toward the village. I dig my heels into the snow, and he stops. “Wait,” I hiss as he spins back to face me. “We cannot just walk in there like this.”
Aurdyn’s gaze flicks up and down my form before landing on my necklace. He frowns. “Then, activate the glamour.”
“What aboutyou?” I ask incredulously. “You cannot just walk in there like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like a Dragon walking into a tavern full of Dwarves.” I gesture exaggeratedly at him. “Orin and Moira said that the reward is for a human woman with red hair traveling with a Dragon.”
“Dwarves know better than to cross a Dragon,” he snarls, smoke puffing out of his nostrils as he flexes his fingers, cracking his knuckles. “And if they dare try anything, I will end them.”
“Yes.” I huff out an irritated breath. “But perhaps it would be best if we were to try to avoid attention.”
He makes it a point to look down at himself before turning his sharp eyes to me and lifting a brow. “And how would you suggest we do that? It’s not as if I can hide what I am.”
I remove my necklace and offer it to him.
His brow furrows. “That is foryouto wear.”
“I know. But I’m less likely to stand out here than you are.”
His gaze travels down my form. “Even if you cover your rounded ears, you are too comely to pass as a Dwarf woman.”
Was that a compliment?I blink several times as heat flares my cheeks. I clear my throat. “Yes, well… still… I believe a human would be less conspicuous here than a Dragon, don’t you?”
He purses his lips, and gives me a subtle nod.
Reluctantly, he takes the necklace and fastens it around his neck. I watch in wonder as he transforms into a tall, burly, muscular man with shoulder-length silver-white hair and green eyes. A human. He straightens, tipping up his chin in that imperious way of his. “How do I look?”
“Like a king,” I answer honestly. “A human one, but still…” He frowns as I bring my hand to my chin, studying him. “I think it’s your stance. It’s too proud for a simple worker.”
