Legacy of Fire and Sand

Chapter 21: Whispers in the Market

The sun was high in the sky as Ashara and Cregan wandered through the bustling market of Dorne. The vibrant colors of the stalls and the lively chatter of the merchants were a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within her. She could feel the stares of the townsfolk as they passed, their whispers just beyond her hearing. Paranoia gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the man beside her.

Cregan, ever the flirt, had his arm casually draped around her waist, pulling her close as they walked. His cocky grin never faltered, and his eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief every time they caught hers. "You know," he began, his voice smooth and teasing, "I've been hearing all sorts of things about your... relationships."

Ashara shot him a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly have you heard, my beauty?"

He chuckled, leaning in closer so that his breath tickled her ear. "Well, word is you've been keeping some rather prestigious company. A prince and a princess, no less. Makes a man wonder where he stands."

Ashara rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Jealous, are we? You've never struck me as the type."

Cregan shrugged, feigning indifference. "Jealous? No. Curious? Absolutely. I can't help but wonder how a girl like you keeps them so... entertained." He emphasized the last word with a suggestive wink, clearly enjoying the way her cheeks flushed in response.

Ashara swatted at him playfully, but there was a tension behind her laughter. "And what exactly do you want to know, Cregan? You're not going to let this go, are you?"

He smirked, his hand slipping lower on her waist, fingers brushing dangerously close to the curve of her hip. "Not until I get some answers. Tell me, Ashara, what's it like? Bedding royalty? Are they as... regal in bed as they are out of it?"

She felt a pang of irritation, but it was quickly overshadowed by a deeper, more troubling feeling. Memories of the letter, of the threat that hung over her like a storm cloud, flashed through her mind. But she couldn't let Cregan see that. Not now. So she forced herself to play along, matching his banter with a smirk of her own.

"Regal?" she repeated, pretending to ponder the word. "Not exactly. They have their moments, I suppose. But they're not quite as... adventurous as you might think."

Cregan laughed, clearly pleased with her response. "Is that so? Maybe they just need the right inspiration. Someone to show them how it's really done."

Ashara arched an eyebrow, leaning in closer so that their lips were just inches apart. "And you think you're the one to do it? Teach a prince and princess how to please a woman?"

He grinned, his confidence unshaken. "Who better than me? I've never had any complaints, and I doubt you will either."

She let out a soft laugh, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. There was a time when this kind of flirting would have excited her, would have made her forget all about her troubles, if only for a little while. But now... now it felt like a distraction. A necessary one, perhaps, but a distraction all the same.

As they continued through the market, Ashara couldn't shake the feeling that every pair of eyes was on her, every whisper a condemnation. And as much as she enjoyed Cregan's company, his teasing words only served to remind her of the precarious position she was in. The prince and princess were a complication she hadn't anticipated, and the more she thought about it, the more she realized just how dangerous this game she was playing had become.

But she couldn't afford to dwell on that now. Not with Cregan's arm around her, not with the threat of the letter hanging over her head. She had to keep moving forward, had to keep playing the part, even if it meant pushing down the fear that threatened to consume her.

"Enough about them," she said suddenly, her voice sharper than she intended. "Let's talk about something else. Anything else."

Cregan raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. Instead, he tightened his grip on her waist and leaned in to press a kiss to her temple. "As you wish, my beauty. But don't think you're off the hook just yet. I'll get the truth out of you eventually."

Ashara managed a smile, but it felt hollow. The truth was a luxury she couldn't afford. Not now, not ever.