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Honestly, I can’t tell if I want him to be inside or not. I sort of want to talk to Kellyn, but I’m also equally terrified of it.

But I need to talk him out of a weapon, and I can’t do that if I don’t actually speak to him.

Pathetic.

Pathetic.

Pathetic.

That word rings in my ears in Temra’s voice. She’s usually so supportive of my weaknesses, but I can’t help but think that was all a lie and she’s finally told me how she really feels.

If it were Temra, she wouldn’t think twice about going to talk to a boy. She would be confident, smiling, ready to take on anything.

For just a second, I pretend I’m her, and I enter the tavern.

My first objective is simple: Don’t panic, and find an empty table to sit at.

It only takes one quick perusal to confirm there are no empty tables.

I can’t sit next to someone I don’t know. That leaves the stools near the front counter. There are seven of them. There’s a person in numbers one, three, four, and seven. Which means no matter which stool I sit in, I’ll be next to someone.

That won’t work, either.

Panic sets in.

I can’t stand here, and I can’t sit.

Walk out.

I should definitely walk back out.

But what if someone saw me walk in here, saw me panic, and then turn around?

It shouldn’t matter. They’re all strangers. Who cares?

My face heats up like I’ve just gotten the most wicked sunburn, my palms are shaky, and I swear everyone in the room is looking at me.

I hear laughter coming from one of the tables. It’s probably directed at me. This was so stupid. Why did I—

“Bladesmith.”

His voice cuts above all the other noises in the tavern, and I find myself relaxing at it.

“Mercenary.”

Kellyn comes into view. He’s clean. Obviously, he took advantage of a bath and fresh clothing. He smells nice. Like lemons and grass. Some sort of local soap?

He’s also shaved. His beard was darker than his golden-red locks on the road, a burnt red. But now he’s fresh and smooth. It’s impossible to miss his smile.

“What are you wearing?” he asks, barely concealing a laugh.

I glance downward and feel my stomach turn over.

I’d completely forgotten I was still in this hideous dress.

“I promise it wasn’t my first choice.” And right now, I honestly wish I were back in my dirty traveling clothes rather than this.

But blessedly, Kellyn doesn’t say another word about it. “There’s no way you’ve finished my weapon already,” he says.