Love and War

8: Anastasia

Anastasia's POV:
We started our trip on foot. I was planning on meeting up with a friend of mine, he's trustworthy and he'll take us to a halfway mark which is a small village.

Halfway mark to King Ian's palace where Jonah informed me was where all the kings were meeting.

Besides that little piece of information he and I didn't talk. It was like unwritten agreement.

Thank god for that.

I didn't need him talking to me and annoying the hell out of me. Plus I wanted to punch him after what he did to me earlier, my head still hurt a bit from his hair pulling.

Anyways after a couple of hours and a short break, we reached the town. Jonah and Landon started walking toward the plaza. "Wait! You don't need to go further into town what we need is over here. Or better yet who."

They looked at me weirdly as I pointed at a tavern in a hidden corner ahead of us.

"Really? There?" Jonah asked in disgust as he followed me inside.

I turned to him. "You could always stay outside and polish your shoes since that seems to be the only thing you're good for..."

He rolled his eyes and looked back inside the tavern. He gripped my chin between his thumb and index finger. "You know what else I'm good for..." he said with a smirk. He looked me up and down and I could feel him undressing me with his gaze. I could feel my cheeks flush and I couldn't believe I was letting him embarrass me like this.

Horny bastard.

I turned my face away from his hand and shoved him. He chuckled and before he could say anything I opened the door to the tavern. Ugh, he did that for my reaction. I need to stop reacting.

I confidently strode inside my cloak's hoodie up so nobody could see my eyes just my mouth. They followed me deeper inside and I sat down in a secluded corner. I motioned for them to sit at the table too and they sat down across from me. Landon looked nervous as if he was afraid.

Cowards.

I scanned the tavern and there were mostly men here. They were full of tattoos and most of them were old. Something about them made me a bit nervous too however I didn't show it. I've been here before even though I do try to avoid it. These people are dangerous.

A waitress in a skimpy uniform approached us with a bored expression. She had long chestnut hair and pale skin. She had curves for days and was very short. She chewed her gum and asked us what we'd like to drink. She eyed Jonah and winked, suddenly her expression turned a bit more cheerful.

Landon and Jonah didn't order but I spoke up. "I don't want something to drink." I cleared my throat and the waitress leaned in. I pulled out a small bag and poured a stack of animal bones on the table.

The waitress nodded and disappeared behind black double doors. I put away the bones instantly, hoping no one saw, and folded my hands in front of me on the table. Landon and Jonah glanced at each other confused.

I was enjoying leaving them in the dark it was funny.

"Just wait boys I can sense your impatience from here. You'll see that everything I do has a reason." I said.

Jonah just looked anywhere but at me, ignoring me.

Then a man approached us, and I instantly recognized him. He was bald and looked like he was in his mid-40s. He had a black neatly trimmed beard and a severe beer belly.

Mr. Miller

I stood to greet him. "Hello, sir."

"Anastasia! Always a pleasure." He kissed the knuckles of my hand and glanced toward us. I wanted to slap his ugly mouth away from my hand but I knew that'd only anger him.