I Can't Get the Vampire Rogue to Romance Me

Chapter 82 - Meta on Hold

Fortunately, Meta didn't show up in person. Evangeline didn't want to deal with any of that again. Once the First Lady had left, it was easy enough to get inside the inn. A few other patrons were in the main bar, moving away from the windows where they had been watching all the commotion and hadn't wanted to be caught doing just that.

"Would you prefer to have dinner down here first or would you prefer to take it up in your quarters? We can also arrange for a bath to be prepared in your room, though it will take a bit, my lord," the innkeeper said to Artmond, giving him a respectful bow.

"Let's all go up to the room," Evangeline said to Artmond. "We've attracted enough attention and let's be honest, we're all a bit roughed up."

"Yes, that will be fine," Artmond agreed, meeting the innkeepers questioning gaze as if what she had just said was his command.

It took the innkeeper a second to realize that was what happened, before bowing once more before scurrying away to go make those arrangements. The second innkeeper, presumably his wife, met him behind the bar, exchanging hurried, excited words.

Inside the main room, Harrowheart had already gone over to the bar, accepting a drink from several of the gawkers who were plying her for the story.

A hand settled on Evangeline's shoulder; Valerian's. He had been standing just inside the door. Now he leaned in and pressed his lips to her hair. "We need to talk, without the riffle raffle," he said. His breath tickled her ear and a shiver went down her spine.

He seemed to sense her reaction. "Besides, wouldn't it be preferable to have some... alone time?"

"Since you didn't get much alone time with the First Lady?" she said in response.

Instead of being deterred or put off by her comment, he gave her a wicked grin.

Turning away, she went instead to Hagor who was now standing next Artmond. "Where is Sigismund?" she asked.

Just then all of them took an involuntary step toward a door to one side of the main room.

"She's helping treat the coachman, but she has to be out of clerical healing for the day," Hagor said.

"Good thing the stairs we need are in that direction," Valerian noted, gesturing to aforementioned set curling up the wall of the room. "Hopefully we can get to our room without hoisting her to the ceiling."

Luckily for them, Sigismund left the side room, looking exhausted just as they reached the first set of stairs

"How is the patient?" Evangeline asked.

"He'll be fine now. I've done all I can do, the doctor is handling the rest," she said, rubbing at her eyes.

"Come," Artmond said, offering her his arm. "There is dinner and baths awaiting us," he said. She gave him a small smile and gratefully accepted.

The Meta pressure intensified so much, Evangeline had to rub at her temple.

"Are you alright, little mouse?" Hagor asked, setting a hand on Evangeline's shoulder.

"As much as walking off an attack from harpies can be," she answered with a smile. "Nothing food and a bath doesn't fix. As well as a long rest."

"This here is your room, my lord," the innkeeper declared, opening a slightly more ornate door than the others. Within was a reasonably sized room with a four poster bed, an armoire, wash basin and a small fireplace. "I will have a table and chairs brought in so you may dine in your room. And your servants will reside in the adjoining room so they can be at your service whenever you require them." The innkeeper continued inside to open a second door that lead to an additional room. Unlike the first room, this space had six single beds, three on either side. Each bed had a side table and a trunk at the end for belongings.

"Oof," Evangeline said as she took in the arrangements.

"Well this suffice?" the Innkeeper asked, rubbing his hands together expectantly.

"This will do nicely. Please send up a few bottles of wine with the dinner as well," Artmond said, slipping his dirty fingers into one of his pouches and withdrawing one of the few silver coins they had acquired from their trading back at the grove. The innkeeper snapped it from his fingers faster than was appropriate, then bowed again and rushed out the door.

Once the door was shut, all their shoulders dropped. Artmond took a step back and sat down on the bed, dropping his elbows to his knees and let his head droop.

"Oh don't feel bad, Arty," Valerian said, clapping his shoulder with overt cheerfulness. "You finally found a way to be useful. I was afraid I was going to have to seduce her."

Artmond shrugged off his hand sharply.

"Valerian!" Sigismund scolded, just as the rogue lifted his own hands up and away, taking a half-step back.

"Now's not the time to poke the bear," Hagor stated, crossing his arms.

"We were always headed this way," Sigismund said, gently to Artmond.

He nodded. "I know. I know." Then he stood up. "You and Evangeline should have the big room. I'll sleep with the other men next door."

"That's not necessary," Sigismund said, attempting to push him back down onto the bed, but failing as he shrugged her off, less violently.

"What about Harrowheart?" Evangeline said. "We three can't all fit in that bed."

"I'll drag one of the beds into here for her. There is enough space," Hagor said, then slapped Valerian's chest. "Come help me."

Valerian gave him double take, then gestured down his body. "What about my physique says I'm up for dragging a bed?"

"Don't be a caught rabbit," Hagor snarked, raising an eyebrow at him as he exited to the "servants" room.

Valerian scoffed in disgust, but followed with a roll of his eyes, yet followed.

"Actually guys," Evangeline said, following them to the door. "Let's hold off on that until after dinner. The table will be in the way and there might be questions when--" Then Evangeline cried out in pain. Dropping to her knees she grabbed hard for her splitting head.

"Evie! What is it?" Hagor cried. He had shoved Valerian out of the way to catch her.

Through the pain, Evangeline focused on only one thing. "What an ass!"