Weight of the World

Chapter Eighteen

—King's Encampment, Border of Belanen, Andavaran—

The ale was certainly the best she had sampled so far, undoubtedly because anything less than the best would be considered an insult to serve a king. Tipping the old mug back, Lulu closed her eyes, enjoying the way the warmth was slowly numbing her insides. They wouldn't leave until the morning when Alistair gave them the contracts for Virmira Tanadall's agents, which meant tonight, she could drink until she forgot her own name.

Sitting beside the fire, Lulu ignored the many eyes trained upon her. Everyone here knew she was a guest of the king, but she was likely the first woman they had seen in months. Besides, that is, Lady Teressa, who was rarely without an armed escort. Though she was under the king's protection, there were many who were looking as though they were fine risking the punishment. They were welcome to try, of course.

She could use a proper fight.

But then, someone was coming to sit at her side, his body language a clear warning to every other man watching her. Mervin had shed his usual robes, and instead, sported a plain white tunic with the sleeves rolled up to display strong forearms, the fabric tight around his sculpted biceps. She always forgot that beneath those robes, Mervin took good care of himself. He used that physique now to try and protect her against the multitude of leers sent in her direction. She didn't know why, but such a display irked her. She didn't need his protection.

"We should head back to our tent for the night," Mervin advised, never taking his eyes off the other men. "It looks like they didn't bring enough whores with them to keep everyone happy."

"Not my problem," Lulu shrugged as she took another drink from her mug.

"It will be if you stay out here any longer."

"I can handle myself."

"Drunk and against like fifty guys? Yeah, I don't think so. Even you aren't invincible, love. Come on."

She pulled away from him sharply. "I don't need your protection, Mervin."

"Well, you're getting it regardless."

"Why?" She snarled at him. "I never asked for it. Never wanted it. Ever since I met you, I've been trying to get rid of you. Or are you too fucking thick to notice? I leave you in towns in the middle of the night, drop you in monster dens; fuck, I even sent the Black Gathering after you once."

"I know."

She blinked, certain that he had been too dense. "Well, then, what the fuck are you still doing here?"

"No idea, love, but I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't want you!"

"I know that too."

"Then, what the fuck..."

"You're in pain." A simple answer, innocuous in so many ways but damning in so many others. Her eyes narrowed, refusing to show him the tears that were tightening around her throat.

"Everyone's in pain."

He nodded but said nothing, grasping her by her arm to hoist her to her feet. She went without further complaint, dropping her drink as she allowed him to lead her back to their tent. Varel and Ren had both disappeared long before sunset, but Lulu didn't care to look for them. Whether they joined her for the meeting in the morning, it hardly mattered to her. She would go after Virmira Tanadall's agents with or without them. Unfortunately for her, she knew Mervin would be with her every step of the journey.