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Vian and her husband Cathis feed us and let us dry off by their fire that night. It's a quiet meal because both of them are too afraid of Aron to talk much, and I'm too busy stuffing my mouth. They seem unsurprised by my appetite, as I'm the only one that takes four bowls of stew, but during bowl number four, I realize that I might be eating them out of house and home and that curbs my appetite. I finish my portion and give them a bright smile. "We'll pay you for your hospitality."
"No we won't. They are honored to serve," Aron says arrogantly.
I kick him under the table and continue smiling. "Yes, but they have babies to feed. It's enough that they've offered." I don't pull out the coin purse just yet, though. I remember the greedy eyes back at the tavern, and I wonder suddenly if the mob came after us because we flashed too much money, not because Aron was a god. I’m so naïve. “It’s so nice of you to welcome us,” I say again.
"Of course." Vian gets up and clears the table. "I have prepared your bedding. We will sleep in the stable tonight to give you and your consort privacy, my Lord of Storms."
"Oh, but that's not necessary," I begin, but this time Aron kicks me under the table. I look at Vian and Cathis and it occurs to me that despite the muck and damp (and the sad, pitiful state of the stable) they might feel safer out there. "But thank you," I amend. "My lord and I are most grateful."
Aron pats my thigh, as if pleased by my chirpy response.
I just kick him under the table again, because it's fun, and he snorts with amusement. Sometimes I think he has fun being challenged, too.
The baby starts to get fussy, and then Cathis and Vian retreat to their stable, leaving us alone in their small cottage. I feel guilty, because I think of how pregnant Vian is and of the muddy, sloppy rain that's still going outside. It can't be a comfortable night for them, but they also looked as if they wanted nothing more than to get away from us. I guess there's no wi
My clothes are fresh and warm after baking by the fire for a few hours, but I'm reluctant to change into them to sleep. I'm still wearing Vian's shift dress, which is made of a papery, thin material that itches. I can't wear it to bed, either. I consider for a moment, and then pull on one of my backup tunics as a nightgown. No panties, though.
I'd give a kingdom for panties right about now. No one on this planet seems to wear them.
Yawning, I crawl into bed as Aron sharpens his knives, and I'm just about to drift off to sleep when the lumpy hay mattress sinks in on one side, and then a big body crawls into bed next to me.
"For real?" I groan as Aron promptly shoves his way onto the narrow mattress and proceeds to take up most of the bed. "You don't even have to sleep."
“You know this is how I protect you best.”
"What's going to attack me while I sleep?" I ask, yawning.
"A wizard could send poisonous snakes to rise up from the floor, creep into bed and kill you."
Jesus. I'm awake now. I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling as Aron shifts next to me, trying to get comfortable. "So undead, snakes from the floor, gods wandering the earth…anything else I should know about in this world of yours so I can never sleep again? Dragons? Killer mermen?"
"Don't be foolish. Mermen are long dead."
"You didn't say dragons were."
"Do not go looking for dragons, then," he says, and I don't know if he's joking or not.
"I'm not a big fan of this whole place, just so you know."
"Neither am I. Which is why we are doing our best to return to our respective homes." He thumps in and then pushes an elbow against my side. "Turn over. It is more comfortable when I cup my body against yours."
"You mean when we spoon?" I obediently turn onto my side, hugging the pillow to my head. Aron molds his body against mine and slings his arm over my hips, and I hate that he's right; it does feel way more comfortable like this. I fight back another yawn, because I'm tired. All the food I have to shove into my mouth makes a girl sleepy. At least I'm not gaining weight, even though I'm pretty sure I'm eating triple what I normally do. "So what's the plan for tomorrow?"
"Get the lay of the land from the farmer. He will know where all these roads lead to and the safest way to head. Take a mount, get supplies, and be on our way. We ca
"I figured." I think of Omos, that kind, sweet man who opened his home and offered everything to us. His letter to his goddess is still in my pack, and I wonder if he worries over it. I hope he's doing well. He's the only person on this planet I'd wish good things for. Well, no, I guess that's not true. I want to help Vian and her poor, worried husband.
And I guess Aron is okay, too.
I think for a moment of the two farmers. "Are we really going to take their supplies?"
"You would rather starve?"
"Well, no, but I would feel really, really guilty if we stole all their stuff and left. They have a little baby. One on the way, too."
"Your heart is too soft, Faith." Aron pats my shoulder. "We will leave them coins if that will ease your fears."
Oh. We do have some money. "That's a great idea. Thanks, Aron."
"They will do us no good where we are going, unless you are fond of chewing on coins instead of food."
I should have guessed that Aron wouldn't be totally selfless. Still, he's thinking of others at least, even if it's only to shut me up. "I'll talk with Vian in the morning and see how much it would cost them to replace the supplies we take." The farmer's wife will probably try not to take the money, but I can push it on her. She has mouths to feed. Of course, thinking of Vian makes me also think about our conversation we had earlier.
I put my hand under the pillow, feeling around, and sure enough, there's a tiny pouch. Deathwort. For preventing pregnancy, she'd said. Good lord.
"You realize they think we're sleeping together?" I point out to Aron.
"We are sleeping together."
"No, not like that. I mean sleeeeeeping together. Like, doing the dirty."
"Do your people have no words for fucking?"
Gah. When he says it so bluntly, it's a little embarrassing and shocking. "No, we do. We have lots of words for it."
"Good. I was starting to wonder."
He sounds completely unconcerned, and I frown into the darkness, my fingers around the little pouch of herbs. "We should tell them that we're not." I pause, and then continue. "Fucking, you know."
"Why?"
"Because we're not? I didn't agree to fucking! Just to being your servant."
He laughs, and the sound is low and arrogant. In the next moment, he leans in and I feel his breath against my neck. "I remember your terms. No ‘butt stuff.’”
“That’s right.” A shiver races through me at the feel of his mouth so close to my skin.
“I could have you in this moment if I wanted you."
"Bullshit you could." My heart trips in my chest. I’m not afraid. I’m…excited.
“You think if I did not caress you and tell you sweet things, that you would not put your arms around my neck and beg me to take you?” His hand strokes down my arm, sending goosebumps through my body. “You think a god could not give you more pleasure than any mortal could?”
“I think…” And boy, is it hard to think when he’s being sexy and flirty. “I think that you would struggle with the whole ‘tell me sweet things’ part.”
Delighted laughter booms from his chest. “Perhaps that is so.” He continues chuckling. “That is why I like you so much, Faith. You are not afraid to speak your mind.”
Is that so? Because I have to admit (even if only to myself) that I was hoping the dare would go a little further than that. But I just squeeze my thighs tight together and close my eyes. “Go to sleep, Aron.”
“I do not sleep,” he tells me, amused.
I don’t either. Not for a long time.