they had left behind. Even after the narrow door was closed, the scent of ash and herbs thick around them, she did not feel the least bit safe. The warm, steady glow of multiple lamps could not force back the chill that had lodged in her chest.
“W-What are they?” Aida asked in a whisper, unable to bring herself to even look at the closed door.
“Men, the same as any other.” A husky feminine voice drifted through the close air crammed with drying herbs and knotted cords of beads dangling from the low rafters. Walls hidden by baskets and crates overflowing with sumptuous fabrics, glittering metals, and stones, a veritable maze wound its way toward the center of the room. “Only, their sins lay where everyone can see them, not simply staining their souls.”
Rhyn showed no trepidation as he waded into the tight space. Ignoring the way his bulk crowded the leaning towers and teetering boxes, he pushed Aida ahead of him. Guiding her by his grip on her shoulders, he maneuvered her around every obstacle.
“Vrazys take you, Miyenth. Stop hiding. We have a problem,” Rhyn bit out through a growl when they rounded a corner only to find themselves back at the door.
“I’ll not help you get your cock wet, Rhyn Lirkinson.” Bitter laughter, seeping through the beads, set them all to shuddering. The hollow clatter filled the space with an ominous rattle as the light appeared to dim.
“Certainly wouldn’t come to you if I needed that,” Rhyn said with a snort. Thrusting Aida forward, he squinted as if that would help him spot the woman in the chaos. “We need to find out what’s so special about her.”
“Young, pretty. I’ll bet she was a virgin until recently. Not enough for you?”
“Not when she offered herself over from a blood mage’s care and tells me she’s stolen his blade to take her life before he can.”
“What’s this now?” The beads before them parted, smashing against one another as the willowy brunette came out of hiding. Inky sweep of her brows meeting, she first peered up at Rhyn before the rich black-brown of her gaze swept over Aida, her lip curling as if she’d tasted something bad. “The entire story. Now.”
“They came stumbling into my woods, so I thought I’d lighten their loads a bit. Thought we were found out half a dozen times over she was staring at us so hard, but the mages hadn’t any idea—”
“As it should be, you dolt.”
“Himself sends the guards on to make camp,” Rhyn went on, ignoring the woman’s interruption. “I sent the men ahead to take care of them while a handful of us went to fleece the other cart. Well, he’s weak as a kit and throwing a fit over her. She’s offering herself up, free and willing. Now she’s saying she’s got to ruin those beautiful breasts.”
Hands perched on her hips, Miyenth snorted and rolled her eyes toward the rafters. Muttering under her breath, she turned her deep brown gaze back to Aida with one sooty brow quirked high. “Did you ask her what makes her so special?”
“Says she’s more valuable than gold to him, maybe any blood mage. They’ll hurt people if they get their hands on her.” Rhyn crowded against Aida’s back, keeping her head up by pinching her cheeks with his palm cupping her jaw. “Thought she meant she’d be worth a good ransom, but there any truth to what else she’s saying?”
“Why would a blood mage be all twisted up over a single girl?” Miyenth murmured as she came close, her cool fingers tripping down Aida’s neck and testing the torn edges of the tunic. Meeting Aida’s gaze, her forehead creased. Finding the sturdy chain of Er’it’s medallion, she began to tug it free of its hiding place.
“Don’t!” Aida shouted, slapping away Miyenth’s hands before the medallion could be brought into the light. She shrieked when Rhyn pinned her arms to her sides by wrapping his around her, keeping Aida as defenseless as ever. She had to make them understand, couldn’t let them take it yet. After she was dead and gone, they could do whatever they wished with it, but until then, she didn’t dare risk removing it.
“Let her go, you bumbling oaf,” Miyenth said, smacking at Rhyn’s arms and tugging at his grasping fingers where they puckered Aida’s cheeks. “Calm yourself, lovey. He’ll let you down.”
“She’s not fussed over me. She doesn’t want you touching her lovely little necklace,” Rhyn said, grunting when Aida’s heel