Page 26 of Dawn of Hope
I don’t want to leave.
But I have more work to do and can’t afford to lose a night of research and stall my progress. I’m pushing my luck taking so long. I bite my lip, thinking hard to come up with a way to say no, even though my body is screaming for me to agree.
“Please?” He leans down to my level and meeting my eye, a sort of shyness taking over his features. I feel his hands give my shoulders a slight squeeze, and feel my resolve disappear with the motion.
“Alright,” I say. “But let’s hurry, so I can still get some work done after.”
His face breaks into a huge grin that I can’t help but return.
“Deal.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Noise and heat hit me like a wall as Dane opens the thick wooden door to the tavern a few blocks from the library. The boisterous voices of everyone enjoying their food and drinks ring throughout the large room.
Bodies are packed into the bar, and the tables are full two or three times over. Women are sitting on the laps of men, and there are card games with players sitting shoulder to shoulder. The servers behind the crowds of people call out for orders and chat with the customers. The occasional one weaves through the bodies to place food and drinks on tables.
I don’t move from the entrance as I take in the whole scene. I’ve never seen this many people in one place, the closest being the training fields, and those are all soldiers. The commotion surrounds me, making it a little hard to breathe. Maybe it was a bad idea to say yes.
Dane looks around the room, searching for a free seat. He leans down, speaking directly into my ear so I don’t have to strain to hear him over the sounds from the room. “There’s an open table in the back.”
The brush of his breath on my ear sends a shiver through me, and I bite my lip, trying to hide it. I force my face to stay neutral and nod as he straightens and points toward the table.
Dane takes my hand and starts toward the back of the room, weaving us through the tables and full chairs, dodging servers as they pass in front of us with plates and mugs balanced in their hands. We reach the back corner, which has a small table and two well-worn seats. It is amazing that he saw it. I gently pull my hand from his before I unclasp my cloak and slide into a seat.
“I’m going to order us some food,” Dane says, gesturing toward the bar behind him. “Don’t go anywhere or someone will take the table. I’ll be right back.” He smiles, and I return it before he turns and strides away, weaving through the tables toward the bar.
I glance around the room, observing the variety of people. Everyone seems so happy and well acquainted. The women serving food and drinks are laughing and smiling at the customers, talking with them like they know them personally. Maybe they do. I don’t know anyone in this room other than Dane, but the more I sit and watch, the more I feel like I could strike up a conversation.
I won’t. I can’t risk it. But seeing more of the people makes me understand why my father had spent so much time outside of the castle.
I turn back to the table at the sound of Dane’s chair scraping across the floor.
“Food will be here shortly,” he says. “In the meantime, here’s something to drink.” He slides a large wooden mug in front of me, steam rising from the top.
“Thank you.” I smile and raise it to my lips, taking a small sip. Spices and a touch of sweetness roll over my tongue, followed by the kick of hard alcohol. I clear my throat, nearly choking on the strength of the drink, but instantly feel myself relax. I have no idea what this is, but it is delicious. I need to be careful. Too much and I’ll probably end up spilling all my secrets.
“So, a healer, huh?” Dane leans forward, crossing his arms on the table and gazes intently at my face. “Are you already an apprentice? Or do you do something else at the castle?”
“Not yet. I’m hoping to be soon though. I’m a maid currently,” I lie.
His face falls slightly. “Damn.”
“What?” I’m unsure how being a maid could cause him disappointment. Was a maid not a good enough profession? The castle treated our maids very well, and most of them stayed on for years once they were employed.
“Honestly, I was hoping you might be able to help me with your access to the healers and medicine at the castle.”
I look down into my mug and try to fight back a flinch at his words. Is he actually interested in being friends, or is he just looking to use me for my connections at the castle?
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I say, my voice flat as I play with the handle of the mug.
“Hey.” He reaches his hand across the table and stills the mug. “It’s not a disappointment. I just thought I’d ask.” He pulls his hands back and crosses his arms again.
Maybe he isn’t taking advantage of my connections. My lie just aligns with something he needs. With as much as I have read on healing across the kingdoms, I know a lot more than the average person.
I probably could help him.
“Well, I have read a lot.” I lean forward on the table, crossing my arms to match his. “Try me.” I don’t mean for that to come out sounding like a challenge, but it does anyway. I see a tiny glimmer in his eye like he thinks it too and accepts it.