Page 190 of Scourged
“Nio?” Andrian’s dark presence enveloped her as his horse stopped beside Kodie. “It’s a risk, but if you want to stay here, we will.”
Mariah held his gaze, sinking into the brilliant, sparkling blue of his eyes, before nodding.
“This is the last town we’ll pass before reaching Khento,” she said. “And it was a hard ride today. The horses—and us—need one last rest.” She tightened her jaw. “My family is strong, and I need to arrive strong for them.”
Andrian’s eyes glittered in the hazy dusk light as she pressed her heels into Kodie’s flank, trotting to the waiting stable boys and the glow of the tavern doors.
“Fuck,”Andrian murmured in Mariah’s ear. “I take it back. This might be too much of a risk.”
Sebastian hmphed. “Finally, some sense.”
As much as Mariah didn’t want to admit it, theydidhave a point.
While the inn had looked quiet from the street, boisterous chatter and a wave of warm, malted heat greeted them. Theroom was nearly full, patrons packed shoulder to shoulder around the bar or sprawled around wood tables and benches. A lively band at the back of the room played a jig, and several couples danced and laughed across a makeshift dance floor.
It was loud and bright and soalive.
Something about it all stirred a drifting piece of Mariah’s soul. Hooked a string around it, dragging it back to her through all the pain and rage and hollowness.
She’d spent so much time over the past months staring death and despair in the face. It was a beautiful, wondrous shock to see so much overflowing happiness and life.
Their horses needed the rest. They needed the sleep.
And Mariah needed … this.
Mariah shook her head. “No. If they have rooms for us, we’re staying here.”
Andrian groaned, the sound of it rumbling through her. “Of all the times you could choose to be social … whynow?”
She shot a glare over her shoulder. “I’m notchoosingto be social.” A young man bent down at the table in front of them, asking a blushing girl for a dance. “I’m choosing to enjoy one last night in a comfortable bed.” A group of weather-worn farmers clinked their pint glasses together, crows’ feet cracking at the corners of their eyes. “I’m choosing a night ofnormal. I don’t want to be …” She glanced around before loosing her breath.
“I just want to be Mariah. One last time.” She straightened her spine, meeting her Armature’s stares. “And if you don’t like it, you can sleep in the stables.”
They grinned at her, a few of them chuckling. Even Sebastian took a step back—still on alert but conceding for tonight.
Andrian, however, held her glare.
“Fine.” He leaned in closer. The corner of his lip twitched. “But only because I would be a madman indeed to turn down one more night in a bed with you.”
She tightened her features, desperately holding onto her glower, even as the flames of her blush licked up her throat and cheeks. “Control yourself, Armature. Besides, I refuse to believe there won’t be many more nights to come.”
He pulled back from her, just enough for her to see his lifted brow, a smirk spreading fully across his face. “Many more nights tocomeseems incredibly accurate?—”
Mariah whirled, shouldering through the crowd as heat crept higher on her cheeks, his soft chuckle following her.
“Excuse me,” she half-shouted, leaning over the sticky lacquered bar. A dark-skinned, gray-haired man tended the bar, his tired, crinkled eyes swinging to Mariah.
“How can I help ya’, miss?”
Mariah flashed him her sweetest smile. “I’m traveling with my fiancé and his cousins to Ettervan. We need accommodations for the night. Is there any way you could help us?”
The innkeeper gave her a sharp-eyed once-over. “How many?”
“Eight, including myself.” She rushed out the words, delivering them with another brilliant smile. If he recognized the significance of a woman traveling with seven men …
But the innkeeper only grunted. “Large party. We’re quite full tonight. Let me see what we have available.” He shuffled away to a pile of books and ledgers tucked into a shelf above the bar, sliding a pair of glasses onto his wide nose.
A warm shadow wrapped around her back; just as actual shadows danced around her hips. “Fiancé?”