Page 88 of Ale Storm

“We’ll be ready for them.”

When Rylana headed back toward the diner, Sylin walked beside her, amusement tilting the corners of her mouth upward. No doubt she’d heard the story about the torrid dragon.

“Captain Laridon has a gig for you,” Rylana said, hoping to stave off commentary on her relationship with Jildarin.

“He’s already found me and given it to me. If you’ll be serving someone as important as a dwarven king this evening, do you want me around to help with security? Since you’re a comrade, I would charge only a small fee.”

“The last time you were at the diner when royalty arrived, you were the reason security was needed.”

“I’m not related to the dwarven king. None of their people should be angling for me. And if the female dwarf whom Laridon hired me to find shows up…”

“Ah, I see. You want to use our diner to facilitate the springing of a trap. And yet, you want me to pay you. Why do I have a feeling Laridon has also agreed to pay you?”

“Because assassins don’t work for free. But I might accept remuneration in the form of delectable meals from the diner.”

“I can arrange that.”

“Excellent. I look forward to keeping your premises secure.”

“Especially if your target shows up this evening?”

“Especially, yes. As you apparently told Laridon, I enjoy a challenge, but I also don’t mind swiftly and efficiently completing an assignment.”

“Got a lot of other hobbies that you want to get back to? Coffee shops to visit?”

“Always. I’ve also been contemplating… Oh, nothing serious.”

They stopped before reaching the front door of the diner, where people had gathered, checking the dinner menu.

“Seeking a new challenge and meaning in life?” Rylana asked, though she’d been the one wondering if she should be doing more than helping Jildarin pursue his dreams.

“My meaning is fine. I have occasionally wished… Well, between the fight that erupted and the queen’s swift departure after I told her I wouldn’t come back to the elven court with her, I didn’t get to… Well, maybe I shouldn’t have been so stiff with her that night. I didn’t mean to be off-putting. I was in shock, really.”

Sylin so rarely opened up to Rylana that she quashed sarcastic quips that came to mind and nodded supportively. “Anyone would be. Believing yourself an orphan your whole life only to find out you not only have a living parent but that she’s the queen of the entire elven realm… That’s kind of a big deal.”

“Kind of.” Sylin snorted. “Anyway, I don’t want anything from her and was horrified at the thought of getting involved with anything to do with the elven court and politics and ruling a nation, but I regret that we didn’t get more of a chance to, you know.” Sylin shrugged.

“Have a coffee in a private setting? Get to know each other?”

“Yeah. I’ve thought about visiting, but the elven court is so far to the south. It would take weeks to sail there and even more weeks to travel by road.”

“You need a dragon who’d be willing to take you. That’s about a day’s flight for one, I gather.”

“Are you volunteering Jildarin’s services? He’s made it clear that you’re the only one he’ll allow on his back and to sleep in his lair.”

“I’ll bet Zilek would take you. Especially if you have sex with him first. And after. Possibly during.”

“Dragons may be equipped to have sex in the air, but elves haven’t that knack.”

“Are you sure? The aerial acrobats who performed were pretty good at defying gravity. Maybe Layothlee can give you some tips.”

“I don’t know why I talk to you.”

“I’m delightful.”

“I don’t know how you’ve commanded the interest of a dragon.”

“I keep his books, buy his groceries, and help him battle conniving enemies.”