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“Thank you, Lorik,” I began, my voice wavering.
His eyes softened at my words, but he merely shrugged as if rescuing damsels from harassing creatures was an everyday occurrence.
“I apologize for barging into your room like this. I didn’t know where else to go,” I admitted, wrapping my arms around myself.
The room was slowly turning chilly, the cool air seeping through the thin walls and causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin.
Lorik’s gaze held a hint of kindness, soothing the unease within me.
“I understand, Madison,” he replied, his voice soft.
The murmur of the inn beneath us vibrated through the soles of my feet, adding a thrumming rhythm to the quiet room.
“Would you like to stay here tonight?” he asked.
I shook my head, despite the tempting offer. “No, thatwouldn’t be right. I should speak with the innkeeper. He might have another room I can use.”
A dry chuckle escaped Lorik’s lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I overheard the innkeeper earlier. They’re all booked out, Madison. He even offered the stables to a couple of late arrivals.”
I sighed, the reality of my predicament sinking in.
The familiar prickling of anxiety rose again, wrapping its cold fingers around my heart.
“Well, maybe I could ask my travel companion to swap with you,” he said.
Then Lorik frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. “But his quarters are on the other side of the inn. If those males should find out you’re there, there won’t be anyone to stop them next time.”
The harsh truth of his words brought a stinging clarity to my situation.
I was stuck here, at the mercy of these miscreants, my safety hanging by a thread.
“I can’t… I can’t go back there, Lorik.”
My voice was little more than a whisper, my fears escaping my lips in a hushed confession.
He nodded, his golden eyes holding a silent understanding. “You can have my bed, Madison.”
I stared at him, my mouth falling open in surprise. “I can’t… I can’t take your bed, Lorik.”
He shrugged again, an easy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I insist. You need rest.”
Guilt gnawed at my insides, but the exhaustion pulling at my eyelids was hard to ignore.
I was relieved, soincrediblyrelieved, and yet… “I feel terrible for causing all this trouble…”
His smile widened, his kind eyes reaching out andwrapping around me like a cozy blanket. “You didn’t cause any trouble, Madison. You’re safe here. I promise.”
At that moment, I felt a profound sense of gratitude towards this stranger, who had shown me nothing but kindness.
His words, gestures, and presence — everything about him was becoming my unexpected sanctuary in this bizarre world.
Lorik disappeared into my room.
A cascade of worry washed over me, the bristles on the nape of my neck standing on end as I waited, every muscle coiled with nervous energy.
A rustling sound echoed from the next room, followed by the soft murmur of Lorik’s voice as he gathered my things.
He returned shortly, his arms laden with my hastily packed bag and a couple of books I had brought along.
