Hidden (Book 1) by Megg Jensen

Author:Megg Jensen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: romance, fantasy, sword and sorcery, dragons
Publisher: 80 Pages, Inc
Published: 2014-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

Smoke billowed in the hallway. She pulled her cloak over her mouth and nose, breathing slowly.

A flurry of curse words permeated the smoke.

“You’re a damn fine cook, Ira. I can always expect a surprise at your inn.” A rough voice said, followed by an unworried guffaw.

The smoke cleared out as quickly as it started. Ira stood over a deep pot sitting in the hearth. His shoulders hunched so far forward his neck seemed to disappear into his shirt.

“You, over here.” Ira pointed to Tressa.

She curtsied, letting her blouse dip low. Out of the corner of her eyes, she took a quick glance at the new man in the room. Well dressed, clean, and coin jingling in a pouch hanging from his hip. Repressing a smile, she quickly righted herself and made her way over to the hearth. He was exactly the type of man she’d hoped would walk into the inn. How fortunate he showed up her first day. She needed a man who could get her near the queen. If she ever held court, Tressa might be able to get close enough to kill her, ending the fog that held her people captive.

“Of course, milord.” She pretended acquiescence to Ira.

“Milord?” the stranger asked.

Tressa bent over the pot, pretending not to hear the man walking closer to her. His boots, heavy on the wood plank floor kicked up the dirt that so badly needed sweeping.

“I’m sure he doesn’t pay you enough to warrant a title like that.” The man stepped closer to her, close enough for Tressa to feel his breath on the back of her neck.

Tressa let her hip slide a little to the side, giving him a better view of what she had to offer. His breathing paused for a moment and she stood up slowly, turning to face him. She held back her loathing for the part she played. “It’s the tips from patrons like yourself that keep me from starving.”

He laughed again. “Silly girl. You’re just like all the others. I had hoped Ira finally hired a smart girl. It appears he’s only interested in a girl who plies the tricks of a whore to make her money.”

Tressa slapped him. His hand flew to his pink cheek, her handprint still visible in white. “You may be right, but you didn’t need to say it out loud like that,” she whispered.

The man’s eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t buy it at all. You’re playing the trollop, and it’s a part you don’t play well. You’re not an actress or a whore. So what are you?”

“None of your business. And I suggest you leave before I hurt you worse than I just did.” Tressa didn’t know anything about fighting. She’d have to continue to bluff her way through the conversation until he left her alone. Maybe he’d never come back to the inn. Another man would be better.

“Is she taking care of you, Leo?” Ira sidled back over to them.

“Yes, brother, she’s a pleasant conversationalist. You chose your new employee well.

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