Second-Hand Dresses

Chapter 32: A Warm Welcome

For all the positions of power, there is only two that are blessed by the Divine Couple.

—Teachings of the Couple

The second time Lily returned to the harbor district, the smell wasn't quite as bad as before. It still was awful and she wished it would go away, but the rising joy in her heart held back the worst of the scents and left her looking forward to arriving at the public house.

The Martins had provided a carriage just as the sun dipped low. She was surprised to see it pull up but it was clear that Relik was interested in keeping Kendrick stable, and if that meant ferrying her across town at night, Lily was willing to go with it. Kendrick was a safe lover now, one that didn't have the burden of betraying her friend or resisting Hasan's affections.

The memory of Mindil's frown tore at her. Lily silently berated herself for not speaking up, for not being honest. She wondered if she didn't because Mindil offered to help with the embroidery or because Lily wanted to feel her kiss, but both reasons made her feel even worse about herself.

She took a deep breath. "Just... Kendrick. That's all I need."

The words were hollow as she thought about Mindil sucking on her finger or Hasan's head buried between her legs. She wanted all of them, she didn't want to choose. She wanted Kendrick's wildness, Hasan's affection, and Mindil's seduction. Three sets of mouths against her body, fingers probing every hole as she writhed between them.

Realized her thoughts were growing more heated, Lily clamped her thighs together and tried not to think about the moisture already gathering. Her nipples peeked out of the fabric of her dress, a thicker one that could handle being drenched without being scandalous.

She forced herself to concentrate on the humor. Kendrick's mercurial nature was alluring, that much she couldn't deny. She was sitting on a carriage, anxious to return to his arms.

The carriage came to a bouncing halt. She had two bags with her, one propped against the side of the carriage to pad her from the jostling and the other with some of Nirih's dress and her embroidery. She hoped to not need the dress, but Kendrick's nature made it difficult to know if she would be abandoned in a fit. She also had enough money for a carriage home nestled near the bottom.

Heart beating quickly, Lily waited for the driver to open the door and offer his hand. She took it and stepped down, careful to avoid the puddle that had gathered along the curb.

The two men were back in their place, mugs in their hands. "Hello, Dame," one said with a nod of his head.

"Good evening for a visit." They were less mocking than before. She wondered if being drenched had anything to do with it.

She blushed. "Y-Yes. I guess."

The first one pointed to the public house. "Any chance your man cleaning up means Old Nag's will be opening again? Me and Pol aren't exactly welcomed over at the Spire or the Cask."

Lily froze, her mouth opened in surprise. "My... man? Cleaning?"

"All day," said Pol, scratching his chin underneath his beard. "He's been scrubbing out the place since this morning. Haven't said a thing, but I know what soap smells like even from here."

"Old Nag would have thrown him out on his ass."

"Old Nag made a lot of money when the dame's lord had to buy the place. I bet she's waist deep in pretty boys now."

Both men shuddered, looked at each other, and then grinned at Lily.

Confused by the conversation, Lily hurried past. She didn't know what to expect when she entered, but it wasn't a shirtless Kendrick mopping down the floor. His scarred body was beautiful with the ridges of his muscles flexing. She could see a burn along his right shoulder and fresh, red marks from recent fighting. But, for all of the signs of damage painted on his skin, it was the way he moved that caught her attention. Even cleaning, he gave the impression of a cat hunting prey. It was primal, powerful, and utterly focused.