Page 128 of The Last Syphon

The street was busy. Packed on both sides by a range of booths and vendor carts all selling something different. Weaponry. Armour. Utensils. Fabrics and textiles. There was a wide array of exotic animals and creatures. Rare herbs. Enchanted items. Books and scrolls. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

It was a massive sensory overload, and Inara enjoyed every moment of it. Groups of people hustled from one stall to another, pushing and shoving to try to get to whatever item they wanted before anyone else could get to it.

When they’d first arrived, Inara had found it hard to even move one step, but word quickly spread that the Crowned Prince of Arelia was in attendance, and a wide berth opened up for them, people stopping dead in their tracks to stare and ogle at them.

Well, not her. Him.

Hushed voices reached her ears, all saying the same thing.

“Is that the Crowned Prince?”

“What is he doing here?”

“Try to get his attention. He’ll have plenty of coin.”

It made Inara realise she actually had no coin of her own to buy anything.

“When do I get paid?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.

Prince Walder’s face was tense. “You will receive a stipend for your work at the beginning of every month.”

Inara’s lips twisted in displeasure. That was still several weeks away. In retrospect, she didn’t need the coin. Everything Inara needed was supplied by the Crown, but if she wanted to buy anything extra, like any of the items at the markets, she would need her own coin to purchase it with.

“Can you front me?”

“What?” he asked, confused.

“I don’t have anything on me right now. And I really want that.” She pointed to a vendor on the other side of the street. A variety of different weapons were on display. Daggers. Swords. There was even a wicked scythe she thought would suit her well. She loved curved weaponry. “So? I’ll pay you back.” Maybe. In her opinion, she’d saved his life, and that deserved a hefty raise.

The prince said nothing, his eyes flicking all around his surroundings.

“Relax. No one is going to get you here.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Have you ever been here before?” Stupid question to ask. By the way he was acting, it was clear he’d never set foot in a market of any kind. There was almost a bewildered, frazzled look on his face, as if he was taking everything in for the very first time. Like a lost little puppy.

“No.”

She nodded, walking towards the weapon stall. “Exactly. In fact, I think if you asked anyone where you would go on a night like this, the markets in the lower city wouldn’t even make the top ten. Trust me, this is the last place I would ever expect to find you. And if someone who knows you wouldn’t think you’d be here, why would an assassin?”

He relaxed the slightest bit.

But because she liked to fuck with him, she added, “That armour does kind of make you stand out, though.”

His entire body locked up once more, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m kidding. Kind of,” she threw in with a wink. “Why are you so nervous anyway? I saw you fight. You don’t even need me. You could kill anyone who dares challenge you.”

“Yes. I could. Doesn’t mean I like to be attacked. There is always someone out there better than you.”

“I’ve yet to run into anyone.”

“You did the day you met me.”

Ha. “You’re quick, I’ll give ya that. I’d love to put that to the test one day.”

Excitement flashed in his eyes. “As would I.”

Anticipation hammered down her bones. Oh. That would be fun. She would have to get much better at jumping first, though. She’d seen him use the ability countless times in the hall. It was amazing.