Page 112 of Lady Knight and the Thief

“Thank you, my friend. Now, I think it’s time to tuck these weary bones in for the night.”

Cypress had never heard Torren utter such a strange sentence. Again, though, she stayed quiet and let Torren lead her up the stairs with an arm across her shoulders.

Unfortunately, though, the upper level of the Inn was not quiet.

Cypress tried to ignore it, but it was impossible. Nearly every room had the distinct sound of pleasure echoing from it. Men grunting, groaning in pleasure, women screaming in ecstasy. The slaps were too distinct to be anything else.

“Have you brought us to a fucking brothel?”Cypress hissed quietly, with her arm still slung around Torren’s waist.

“Are you too proper for this type of establishment, Duchess?” Torren drawled and looked down at her through half-lidded eyes.

“I didn’t say that,” She said and gave him a dirty look.

"What is it then?"

“Is it so wrong to want a warning when I’m being dragged into the upper levels of a brothel with a shameless rake who wants to share a room with me?” Cypress countered and dug her fingers into his side.

“Fair enough, lass, fair enough,” he laughed, then pointed with his chin at an open door and the thankfully empty room. “Looks like this will be us,” he said, and led them into the room.

“Is there some sort of signal that would indicate we do not wish to be disturbed?” Cypress asked and looked around.

Thankfully, the room was clean. The mattress was decently large, though bare. Because of the lack of bedding, Cypress could also tell that there weren’t any stains or lingering…fluidson the mattress.

There was a fresh pair of sheets folded on the edge of it, along with a thicker quilt on the trunk at the foot of the bed.

To the side of the room was a small vanity table with a mirror and a porcelain bowl with a matching jug of water, and a small chair neatly tucked into the vanity.

“Are you planning to have your way with me, Cypress?” Torren asked as he shut the door and turned the lock.

Cypress couldn’t swallow past the lump in her throat.

He looked so…goodin the dim lantern light. The golden rays of flickering firelight caught on his cheekbones and danced along his jawline.

When had he gotten so close?

“I meant so that other people don’t come in,” Cypress said and squared her shoulders.

Torren only grinned and then took a step closer to her, so their chests nearly touched.

“You didn’t answer the question,” Torren said huskily, grey eyes that were so like a stormy sky jumped all over her face, and lingered on her lips. “But, I think the lock will do, Lass.”

Cypress couldn’t speak past the way her heart pounded in her chest for several moments. “I claim the mattress.”

A wicked grin spread across Torren’s face when he said, “Aye, and I’ll take the other half of thatbig, comfy bed, Lass.”

35

Enthusiastically in Love

Intheearliesthoursof the morning, before sunrise, a carriage waited in the circular roadway in front of the Inn. The wood was stained dark cherry, with black upholstery and wine-red trim. The wrought-iron coach lights would burn a little longer until the sun rose.

Mist drifted between the horse’s legs and curled around the wheels. The chill in the air settled into Cypress’ bones, making her feel as if the carriage belonged to some haunted spirit of ages past.

“Will Ellisar take our horses back to A’aravos Paravale?” she asked and ducked into the carriage. On the far wall, between the seats, lay a large trunk.

Presumably, with their disguises inside.

“Yes, everything is taken care of, Lass,” Torren replied after he joined Cypress in the carriage.