ARELYN AURORA

The silhouette of the town appeared at the horizon and she heard Kayden let out a relieved sigh. Lyn wondered if it was because he was tired of riding or tired of her? She dozed off while on the trip and, when she’d woken, she’d asked him about his plans, which he stated were “a normal dinner, good wine, a bath, and fucking”.

That led their conversation to whores.

He’d even offered for her to have some. The idea wasn’t even a little enticing to her; trusting a stranger in a vulnerable moment was not something she was willing to do. Not yet. Since he was still basically a stranger, it was odd how safe she felt with Kayden. But they also hadn’t taken their clothes off in the same room, let alone with the intent of being intimate and vulnerable with each other.

When the town finally came into view, Lyn smiled. The tidy family houses, with taller buildings near the center, reminded her of the towns closer to her capital city, where more people congregate in smaller spaces to be close to where the action was. Personally, she preferred the wider open spaces of her small village but here there were demons. Creatures she’d only seen in illustrations about other worlds, the ones to avoid opening portals into. From what Kayden had told her, she didn’t have to worry about the demons until after dark and it was still light out. Unfortunately, demons weren’t the only dangers in larger towns.

As he helped her down from Thunder’s back, she asked, “How safe am I walking around in this town? Do I need an escort if I want to take a walk?”

“It’s safe enough. I’m not saying there’s no crime, because it’s everywhere, but you should be fine alone.”

She looked at him and had a feeling he wasn’t letting her out of his sight or at least the sight of someone he trusted. “You know I’m not going to run off, right? I feel safe with you, Kayden.”

“Because you have much better options than being entertained by a king.” He rolled his eyes.

Lyn sighed, hating that she was this dependent and vulnerable. Also hating that he threw it in her face but she didn’t really have a lot of options. Instead of arguing with him, she asked, “Where can I spend the night? I’ll get out of your way and let you do what you need to.”

“You’ll sleep in a hotel room.” Kayden took his bags off of Thunder. “I told you my plans. You can join me.” He smirked. “For all of those or just for dinner. It’s up to you.”

He surprised a chuckle out of Lyn. How could the man go from sounding arrogant to being playful was beyond her but it was something better to focus on than feeling sorry for herself? She took a breath and relaxed. Giving him a smile, she said, “I’ll join you for dinner and maybe a drink but the rest I’m sure you can handle on your own.”

Kayden pressed his lips together, but didn’t say a word. She wondered what was on his mind but she was afraid to ask. Maybe he’d hoped that she’d join him for that shower or fucking? It didn’t matter.

“Dress or pants?” he asked as they walked on the main street.

“Pants please.” She grinned at him. “A shirt would be nice too.” She hoped he knew she was teasing.

“I’d prefer you shirtless, but if you insist.”

Kayden gave his horse to the stable boy and they went inside the hotel’s lobby where he ordered rooms for everyone.

“Here.” He gave a key to Lyn. “Go, take a shower or a bath. Clean clothes will be provided for you by the time you finish.”

Lyn took the key from him, feeling unreasonably emotional. She hoped her whispering, “Thank you,” was enough for now.

She closed the door behind her and looked around the room. The first thing she saw was the simple wooden bed frame with a comfortable-looking mattress. There was a chest of drawers—presumably for clothing—and a door at the opposite wall with a plate next to it and two buttons.

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Lyn looked at the door she had her back to and sure enough, there was another of those plates with buttons there. Lyn reached up and touched the top button and spun around as an odd noise sounded in the room. She gasped as lights flickered on, bathing the room in a soft glow.

It was fascinating, a simple button to enact an enchantment to give off light. She turned to the other button and pushed it, wondering if that ended the enchantment and it did.

Walking across the room, she touched the top button by the other door and noted that this enchantment was for inside the door. Lyn stepped inside and a large tub that she presumed was for bathing since there was a water spigot hanging over it, sat against one wall and an indoor latrine with a small basin sat on the other side.

Lyn went over to the tub, looking for the pump to get the spigot to work but there was nothing but two oddly shaped knobs on either side of it. A large H was engraved into the metal of one and a large C into the other. Biting her lip, she twisted the one with a C and water came out of it. It was cold and that was when it hit her; she turned that off and twisted the other. It sputtered for a moment and the water wasn’t quite hot water when it first came out but it got hotter as she let it fill the tub. Turning the other knob, she adjusted it so that she could have a comfortable bath, even dumping some bath salts into the water so she could soak.

She came out of the bath and saw the bag of clothes left on the bed. Lyn pulled out three sets of pants, all suitable for riding, three shirts, and a pair of boots. She smiled at the clothing. Whoever he sent to buy her clothes had a good eye. Then she laughed at the three sets of matching lace underwear. She had a feeling he picked those out and possibly the sleeping gowns as well.

The lace was nice and soft and the clothing well made. The boots were the biggest mercy. Much lighter than the heavy winter ones she had.

She dressed in caramel colored pants and a shirt with a floral pattern on it that matched. What should she do next, look for him?

There was a knock at the door. She opened it and Kayden stood there wearing a dark blue shirt and black pants. She wondered if he purposefully dressed like that to make himself more attractive to her, then dismissed the notion. He already thought he was a gift to women. Why would he put in extra effort?

“Thank you for the clothing. Whoever picked it out has good taste. The lace is particularly comfortable.” She flashed him what she hoped was a cute smile.

Kayden’s smile was brilliant and that wink told her he picked out the clothes. “I’ll make sure he knows it.” He stepped aside and offered his arm to her.

Lyn hoped she hid her surprise while threading her arm through and resting her hand lightly on his forearm. It brought her body closer to his and her hips brushed against his leg.

“Are you satisfied with the room?” he asked.

“The room is perfect. Larger than I expected.” She enjoyed the feel of his muscular arm under her hand. Strength. Despite the equality in her country, society still expected men to possess physical strength. Kayden was an appealing man when he wasn’t being an overbearing ass.

As she stepped outside, she felt the hot evening air; it was cooler than the day but still warm enough for her to enjoy. Kayden walked them down the main street, past a few closed shops and opened the restaurant’s door.

“This is a small town. They have this place, the hotel’s restaurant, and a saloon.” He smirked. “If you change your mind about having hired company, we can go there. But the food is better here.”

“No, thank you. I haven’t changed my mind.” She wished her voice came out steadier but her nervousness came through.

They walked to a table and sat. The waiter must have recognized him because he bowed when he stopped at their table and said, “Welcome, your highness.” He handed them the menus. “May I serve you wine?”

“And water,” Kaden said with a casual wave of his hand. Lyn didn’t even think he saw the waiter’s bow.

They busied themselves reading the menu. The waiter returned with a bottle of wine and a bottle of water, poured from each, then left with their orders.

Lyn took a sip of the wine, wishing she had something a little stronger. A decent whiskey would be preferable right now.

“Have you ever been with a woman?”

Lyn choked. She barely managed to not spit wine out as she swallowed and then cleared her throat.

“Forgive me. Yes, I have.” Lyn cleared her throat again, trying to decide how much to tell him. “I developed sexual relationships with some women my captor had but I had been with a woman once before.” Lyn stopped short of mentioning Reese since Kayden had expressed a lack of interest in hearing about her husbands. “Relskald kept them… us for his sexual pleasure, he liked to watch, direct, and participate.”

She’d talked a lot lately and for once, she was tired of hearing her voice. “Enough about me. Tell me about you Kayden. There is more to you than I initially took you for, you’ve shown me that much.” Suddenly nervous at her boldness, she stuttered. “I… I’m interested in knowing more about you.”