Chapter 47: A Serpent
Ren carefully placed the satchel inside her drawer, she had collected enough coins for her purpose, a small smile touching her lips. After acting so impulsively toward her husband, slamming the door in his face, she had managed to sleep for two hours only. But the moment she woke, regret and guilt coiled tight around her heart. So she summoned Arkilla.
Her husband had been honest about his feelings from the beginning. And he wasn’t human, how could she expect him to understand the weight behind her unspoken words? If she was to teach him how to love, she had to be logical. Less impulsive. She made a deal with him and must keep her word.
Arkilla arrived swiftly, her wide grin gleaming with mischief. "My lady, are we truly going to the market?"
Ren nodded. "Yes. I must visit the Beard Faun’s shop. Calisa told me he makes high-quality liquor. We’re going to buy some."
The Omega guard leaned in, her breath warm against Ren’s ear from behind. "Are you making another cologne for His Highness?"
Ren pursed her lips, feigning indifference. "Maybe."
Arkilla’s laughter was light and teasing, but Ren shut it down with a firm palm against her chest, pushing her back as she grabbed her cloak from the table. "Where’s Gloria? I asked her to bring Rail."
Arkilla folded her arms. "You have me. We don’t need him."
Ren snorted. "We do. You’re not carrying everything, are you?"
Arkilla hesitated, then bobbed her head. "You are so thoughtful. We need extra hands."
Minutes later, Ren mounted Viva’s saddle while Rail helped Gloria up behind her. The maiden clutched Ren’s waist like a lifeline, her fingers trembling.