Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 28 (M)

I manage to sleep through most of our resting period, only briefly waking up to ensure Verando is still there and checking that he's alive. He's so still, leaning against the wall of the carriage, his full lips just slightly parted. 

Verando almost looked oversized in the small space due to his height and shoulder width, but I have been sharing the space mainly with women. Drifting in and out of consciousness, unwilling to separate myself from him, I'm thankful they let us sleep. We couldn't be the only ones who are tired; the entire group is running on fumes. 

We pull into the city just as the sun begins to set, and Tomas gets to work directing our horses to the stables for some much-deserved rest and to tend to their injuries. It would be unlikely any of the beasts would be serviceable after what they had been through, their coats lathered with sweat and their eyes wide with terror. 

 I head to the rear carriage, pulling out some socked-away coin that Esmeralda had been thoughtful enough to stow in each of the carriages. Entering the Inn, I yawn, dull, as I attempt to look as regal as I could manage given the state of us.

The maid at the front desk glances up and cocks a brow, tilting her head. "Baby, you look like you've been in a fight."

"I have, madame." I sigh. "Do you have..." I try to count on my fingers. "How many rooms do you have available?" 

She eyes me as she flips her book open. "Ten, honey." 

How young do I look to her? 

I think it through and scratch my head, does that sound like enough? 

"I think that sounds right. I'll take all ten if you don't mind." 

Her eyes scan me up and down, and I squirm under her gaze, awkward with the disapproving glower of the aged eyes behind her glasses. "How do you expect to pay for ten rooms?" 

"Oh, right." I quickly walk forward and look at the price she scribbled down. It seems more than reasonable, but really, I wouldn't know. I open the bag and hand over her coin; she looks slightly shocked at the ease with which I part with the money. 

"Mister, do I need to alert the authorities? This is a royal seal, this is treasury money, where did you come across this?" 

I frown at her, looking over my commoner's clothes, only to realize I probably look like a beggar at this point. Covered in dirt, dried blood, and grime, I hadn't considered bathing or changing before entering this establishment.  We weren't in some sleazy hub or brothel; this is an actual city. 

I had just handed off my cape to someone who had taken my place. 

In my exhaustion, I hadn't even thought to come up with an explanation. A King would never strut into an Inn, let alone pay for his stay.

I raise my hands in an attempt to appear non-threatening. "No ma'am. I'm actually your newly appointed King."

 Why do I feel like I'm lying? 

There's nothing on me to convince her, besides my appearance, and I wasn't even a known son of my father in most sectors of our country. Why hadn't I thought to bring my crown with me on all these endeavors, yet I wasn't good at remembering my prince's crown either. "I'm just not wearing my robes today, I was just coronated?" 

She doesn't look impressed.

"And I'm the Queen of England. Why on earth would you be here, at the biggest transport station in Romania instead of doing your damn job? You wouldn't. And you wouldn't be dressed like this. I'm getting the police." She rushes over to the window and yells out for help as Verando walks in, running a hand through his hair.