We were a tangle of limbs and sweat and breathlessness. Beautiful chaos that came together tofinallyfind a moment of peace.
* * *
We re-entered the tavern in silence, but near each other. Our hands were just inches from each other as we walked, the space between us diminishing with each hesitant step. His little finger grazed mine and my heart skipped a beat.
How odd it was to be so on edge by his nearness when just moments ago, we were much closer.
Rogue glanced down at me, his fingers lightly intertwining with mine before Ewan noticed us.
“Well, welcome back,” Ewan said, glancing up and back down to the bar as he wiped it with a rag.
I started to pull my hand away when Rogue slid his hand into mine, holding it tightly as he turned his face to Ewan.
“So you are Ewan, then?” Rogue asked. Ewan threw the rag over his shoulder and rested his hand on the bar as we strolled over.
“Yep, that would be me. And you’re Rogue, the son of Adrastus?” Ewan said. His words were without malice, just curiosity.
“Yep,” Rogue nodded. “Speaking of… We recently found out Adrastus fathered a son before me.”
Ewan shifted on his feet as he brought a hand to his chin. “Ah, I forgot about that. We never heard anything more about it. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure the woman I spoke with was being truthful.”
“So it was you, then? Who spoke with the lady’s maid?”
“Yes, it was me,” he said. “Why? Have you heard anything more?”
“No, but I was hoping to find him. I want him to know he has nothing to fear from me. Living this long in hiding, in fear, is long enough.”
Ewan eyed him carefully, nodding lightly.
“Well, I never got his name or the name of the mother, but I can tell you that she escaped south, closer to the border. That’s all she told me out of fear for the child’s safety.”
Rogue sighed, rubbing his forehead with his hand.
“Well, thank you anyway. If you can, spread the word. Even if he doesn’t reveal himself, the message will reach him eventually. I’m sure it won’t take long to spread once the people learn of a second son.”
“Will do,” Ewan replied. “Also, if you and your men need a place to stay, there’s an inn next door. I’m sure the innkeeper still has some rooms available.”
“Thank you,” we said in unison as we turned to leave.
“Is… Are Iaso and Alden still at Draig Hearth by chance?”
I stopped, giving him a light smile. “Yeah, they’re still there.”
And with that, we exited the tavern, Rogue’s men in tow behind us.
* * *
As it turns out, the inn only had three rooms left.
Rogue tossed two keys to the group of his men and grabbed my hand, leading us to the last as my heart thundered in my chest.
As we passed by a small bar area, he dipped over, grabbing a decanter without missing a beat and I stifled a laugh. We reached our room and he held the door open with an outstretched hand.
One bed.
I swallowed hard.Why did this feel so different from the castle?So…intimate.
Even as I thought it over, I knew why. We had admitted our desire for each other. Genuine desire that went below the skin, below the bond. So many weeks of fighting and hating and bickering, all leading to this night. This moment. And now, the air around us had shifted. It was heavy with something I couldn’t quite understand.