Master of Iron (Bladesmith #2)(40)

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After another week of riding, we stumble upon a road in the woods. It’s clearly not well traveled, with plants finding purchase in the spaces between where the wheels have worn down the ground. I find another tree to climb and take a look ahead.

I’m surprised by what I find: rooftops and chimneys in the breaks between trees.

“There’s a village up ahead,” I tell Kellyn when my feet touch the ground again.

“I didn’t know there was anything out here. I’ve never traveled so far from the main road in this territory, and I’ve never seen anything on a map this way. Should we skirt around it?”

“It’ll add time to the trip. It’s a pretty big village.” The leftover money from selling Ravis’s dagger is attached to my saddlebags. I don’t like the idea of interacting with anyone, but if Kellyn is willing to do the talking … “Maybe we could get lodging for tonight? Sleep in real beds?”

“That sounds nice.”

I keep my horse close to Kellyn’s as we enter town. The temperature has cooled somewhat as we’ve traveled south, and the people here wear more layers than those back in the capital. No one stares at us, which leads me to believe they’re used to visitors. Whatever this place is, it’s much bigger than Amanor.

There’s even an inn.

We keep our weapons and money with us after leaving the horses with a stable girl. Once inside the inn, I feel my nerves ratcheting up. As I look around, I try to turn the people into blurs. I don’t want to register faces or anything else. It’ll just make me more unsettled.

I follow Kellyn up to the bar, where he exchanges greetings with the owner.

“This here is Vinder. We’re a community of hunters and farmers. We work with many merchants who sell pelts to the nearby territories. Some folks like to camp out this way before heading to find food for their families. We’re so far from the capital that the prince can’t catch us for poaching.” The owner winks.

Kellyn pays the man for food and baths and a room with two beds.

At the mention of two beds, the owner looks between the two of us.

“My sister,” Kellyn says.

The man nods in understanding before putting in our order to the kitchen.

Kellyn turns to me. “Would you mind terribly if we ate in here?”

“With all the people?” I ask.

“I just … want to do something normal for a change. Feel normal.”

I’m reminded of just how different we are that being around people is normal for him. But I don’t blame him. Being around people who don’t want to hurt him must be a nice change. He doesn’t wear bandages around his head anymore, and his hair covers his injury. But it’s still there, and as I remember that I got him hurt, I find that I can’t deny him this.

“Sure. Pick a table,” I say.

Kellyn looks to me in surprise, as though he fully expected me to refuse and beg him to take me upstairs.

“Are you certain?” he asks.

“Yes.”

We settle into a couple chairs at a small two-person table. I hide my hands in my lap immediately, and my fingers tangle together, twisting the joints before picking at my cuticles. Kellyn looks so relaxed, but I feel a prickling at my back. Half the room is behind me and can see me without my knowing. I hate that.

I can practically hear Temra’s voice in my head.

No one is looking at you. No one has a thought to spare your way. They’re doing their own things. Focus on having a good time. Think of the hot food coming soon.

I look up at the beams of the ceiling, two stories above my head. Stare down at the grains in the table, look at my lap. Anything to avoid noticing the people around me or the man opposite me.

Because he most definitely is staring at me.

“What?” I ask finally, turning to him. I look at his neck to avoid my mind blanking by looking into his eyes. It still happens sometimes, when I feel overwhelmed.

“I’m just trying to gauge how you’re doing.”

“I’m fine. I don’t need you to look after me.”

“I know you don’t, but I still like to do it.”

“Why?” I ask, but he’s stopped from answering. Our food and drinks have arrived.

A bowl of creamy potato chowder with corn and some sort of meat is placed before us.

“Thank you,” I mumble, but the server doesn’t answer. In fact, she’s not looking at me at all.

I look up from my food to find the girl smiling at Kellyn. She lowers two glasses of ale to the table. She’s a pretty thing with creamy-smooth skin, short curls, and a beautiful figure.

For some reason, I hate her immediately.

“Could we get some water, as well? My sister doesn’t like ale.”

“Your sister? That’s good to know.”

“Is it?” he asks.

“Yes. That leaves me free to tell you my shift is over at ten.”

Kellyn grins, showing all his teeth. When was the last time he gave me a smile like that? Does that mean he wants to see her after her shift is over? Will he leave me alone in our room tonight?

“I’m flattered, but I’m not available,” he says.

“Sometime tomorrow, then?”

“Sorry, miss, I didn’t mean my time wasn’t available. I meant I’m already spoken for.”