Page 20 of Sands of Atonement

We finally reached a somber building that had in writing “Folendra” above the doorstep. I had never spent the night at a Folendra, as it was mostly designed for widows, and these women took care of each other. They were protected by hired eunuchs, but the price to stay each night there was high, especially for a traveling woman.

“Thank you for taking me here. I appreciate it more than you know,” I said, and was surprised that I meant it.

Seda smiled. “It was really no trouble. It was nice meeting you, Mara.” She gave a wave and continued through the streets.

As soon as I entered the Folendra and paid them with a gold bracelet, far more than the cost of staying here for a night, but enough to keep their mouths shut, I was taken to a tiny chamber with a comfortable cot.

My jaw was throbbing from the fight, but I loved it. Every pulse of pain deepened my desire to find him again.

I walked to the nearby water basin. Crimson flooded the water bowl as I washed my face, neck, and arms. I didn’t realize I had lost so much blood.

The thought of Ezra caused me to clench my hands so hard that I nearly punctured my skin.

Relax. I dropped my shoulders.

Wiping my face dry with a clean towel, even I couldn’t lie to myself—I was exhausted. But this was all worth it. Soon, it would all be worth it.

Chapter 5

Eshe

I packed my bag and slipped into a clean burnt-orange dress that flowed to my ankles. The front dipped to my mid-chest with a black belt around the waist. I secured a two-inch knife inside the belt—perfect for a death by a thousand cuts. I smiled and studied my dress, feeling free with the long slit that peeked along the side.

Rushing out of the Folendra, I felt the air brush through my dress. It was going to be a great day. I decided to play between the upper and lower classes by wearing expensive jewelry on my body.

I learned last night that Khraus was the wealthiest Priestelhood in the city and was known for its respectable Priestels who perfected the art of dancing and music. Like Seda said, the dancers were paid well, but that wasn’t the reason for my next task.

I only had to ask a few women shopping at the outdoor market stands for the correct route to Khraus. Sandy streets eventually brought me deeper and deeper into the city and the cobblestone alleys. I waited by the side as a donkey carrying a wider set of merchandise rolled through.

Eventually, I approached Khraus and its magnificent golden-brown doors, fortified by a wall that not even the tallest man would be able to peer over. The townhouse tavern across the street displayed a rooftop with shade. Entering the dim-lit tavern, a few men lingered by the edge of the walls on low couches, smoking strong-smelling herbs.

I walked up to the man tending the bar, passing a coin over the high wooden top. “Do you mind if I spend the day up on the terrace?”

His blue eyes darted to the coin he weighed in his palm. Licking his lips, he raised an eyebrow. “Will you be doing any business up there?”

Ew. Gross. Of course he thought as a woman, I must only be here to sell my body. Totally not to have a drink. “Nope.”

Satisfied with my answer, he tilted his head in the direction I assumed were the stairs.

I flashed him a smile before departing. My legs rushed up the staircase, and I opened the wooden door to the rooftop terrace. It was plain with a few low seating areas, but half of it was covered in linen to provide shade.

For a few hours, I peered over the wall, waiting for something—anything.

Patience was a peculiar taste, one that I did not possess. Tapping my toes until the sun went down, I was annoyingly surprised that the doors to Khraus did not open once.

Begrudgingly, I trotted down the staircase to find a tavern full of men, with a few dragging their hungry eyes over my body. I made a sharp turn to my blue-eyed friend.

Passing three coins, I asked, “A chamber? And no, it’s not for business.”

My voice attracted more onlookers.

The blue-eyed man didn’t look my way. “Two more.”

I slammed down two more coins, and he threw me a key. “Second floor, third on the right.”

I didn’t bother nodding. He ripped me off, and we both knew it.

After a weak night of sleep, it was hard to meditate and also be on the lookout for a certain door to open. I hated wasting time. It was my biggest issue. Killing two birds with one stone never seemed so difficult. It was like the only thing I could do was stare at that wide set of wooden doors.