The King of Darkness | ✔️

Chapter Twenty Six

The tavern is bustling with life, this is the closest I have come to normalcy in I am not sure how long. A rather tall young man stands beside me, hollering at a bartender. He orders the same as everyone in here, I am sure ale is the only thing they serve.

Pulling down my mask, I take a sip of mine and find that it doesn't taste as bad as I had expected. Looking around to see the majority of old men with beer bellies peeking out of the bottom of their dirt-stained shirts is really a sight to see.

"You're new here?" the man asks next to me and I look around to figure out who he is talking to. His bright blue eyes light up. "Yes, you," he laughs and I clear my throat.

"Yes, I am. What gave it away?" I joke and a smile tugs at his lips. His dark hair is rather long, hitting just the tops of his shoulders and he seems rather buff. The sword at his side tells me all I need to know. He's a guard.

"Out of all places you go for a drink you chose this place. You're definitely new," his voice is full of nothing but humour. "What happened to your hand?" he questions, looking down at the gauze.

"You're here so it can't be that bad and... it was a minor inconvenience," I explain and take another swig of ale. I can already feel its effects - it really must be strong stuff. I am more than glad I came here. I could do with a night of not being told what to do.

"I guard the docks so it is only around the corner. I merely come here through ease," he explains and I nod in understanding. "Would you allow me the pleasure of knowing your name?" he questions and takes a step closer.

"Does the cloak and mask not tell you that I am not here to fish out information about myself," it's my turn to step forward.

"Maybe I was more so thinking that I would be the one to take it off of you tonight," he leans down and whispers in my ear. I can't help the heat that rushes through my cheeks.

"Bold, aren't you?" I can't help the smirk that resides on my lips. I most definitely did not come here to warm a strangers bed nor am I going to but a few harmless flirts with someone I'm never going to see again won't hurt anybody.

"Lordre. Killian Lordre," he holds out his hand for me to shake and I take it hesitantly. Killian's hand is rough and calloused but you would expect nothing less from a guard.

"Nice to meet you," our hands separate and I take the mug of ale, taking a big gulp before setting down the empty glass on the bar top. Killian looks at me with wide eyes but he quickly recovers, his lax expression returning.

"You can tell a lot about people from just their eyes," Killian begins and I furrow my brows, not sure as to where he is going with this. "I must say you have, quite possibly, the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen."

I can't help the laugh the breaks through me. "I bet you say that to all of your mistresses," I hold back another laugh for both of our sakes.

"Actually, I like to switch up my lines every so often," he shrugs, taking a drink of his ale before he finishes it completely and slams his glass down. "Another round?" Killian questions, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You know it," I smile and he waves over a waitress.

I'm not sure how many rounds in we are but we have migrated to the dance floor, which seems to be wherever you want it to be. The man in the far corner plays the accordion as people loop arms with their partners, twirling to the beat.

I can't help the laughter that ripples through me and against my better judgement, I pull off the cloak - finding that I am getting far too hot. I have had my mask off for as long as I can remember and no one has said a word so what's the difference.