Page 17 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

Barra nudged my leg with his knee under the table. His eyes widened in warning, and he shook his head slightly. I felt a sharp frisson of desire at the contact of his leg on mine but tried to focus on the conversation.

“Oh no—the best, hands down,” I said, grabbing Saho’s hand and giving them my most earnest face. “What is the seasoning in here? Thyme?” I poked my fork into my pot pie again.

Barra also made a show of taking another big bite. “Rosemary maybe?”

“Sage,” Saho said smugly. “A variety I cultivated myself. It’s probably a bit zestier and more peppery than you’re used to.”

“Delicious,” Barra said as he chewed.

I nodded in agreement and took another bite. “It’s like my taste buds are dancing a jig in my mouth!”

Placated, Saho trilled with laughter. “Your taste buds are dancing a jig! I love that. You are delightful, aren’t you?” We clinked our glasses together. They said, “I’m so glad you two stopped in tonight. Livened up a dull evening for me.”

“Me too! You have a wonderful inn.” I downed the rest of my wine. Barra sipped at his peppermint tea and smiled at me. I could still feel the heat of his knee against my leg. He hadn’t quite pulled it away.

Saho looked back and forth between us. They stood, saying, “Well, your baths should be ready by now. Better get up there while the water’s hot. I’ll bring dessert up to your room in a bit.”

“Rooms, Saho. Our rooms, plural,” Barra said.

“Oh, right. Silly me. Two separate desserts for your two separate rooms.” With a sly look, they bounced back to the kitchen.

Barra and I finished up our pot pies, eating every last crumb of that perfect flaky, buttery crust. He led the way upstairs, slowly weaving around tables and chairs toward the far corner of the main room. We climbed a stairwell lit with only a few candles. It opened into a hallway with six doors.

“That’s the bathroom,” he said, pointing at the first door on the left. We walked down the hallway together. The next one had T HE B LUE R OOM painted on it in flowy letters. The last door on the left read T HE Y ELLOW R OOM .

“This is me,” I said.

“And I’m just across the hall here,” Barra said, pointing over his shoulder at the door that read T HE G REEN R OOM .

“Hmm not ‘the Brown Room’? I’m shocked,” I teased.

“If only that was an option. What a dream,” Barra said.

We stood there near each other for another moment before it suddenly grew awkward. I should go. I had to respect that he got us separate rooms. That was intentional, and I knew what it meant. He wasn’t taking me up on my sex proposal. Disappointing, but not altogether surprising.

Unlike me, Barra was sensible, rational, and controlled. He’d probably weighed all the pros and cons. This situation with the two of us, however exciting it started, didn’t work long term. And he was clearly a long-term kind of man.

We’d sleep in separate beds, have a pleasant breakfast downstairs together tomorrow morning, and by nightfall we’d reach Old Orchard and part ways. No more mind-blowing orgasms or cuddles from him, greedy, I told myself.

But if I wanted to, I could always go downstairs after my bath and see who was around. I was surprised to realize I hadn’t done my usual scan of the room for potential bedmates. Huh.

Barra was grimacing a bit and squeezing his metal room key in one hand, looking like he wanted to get out of this uncomfortable moment as soon as possible. I swallowed down my disappointment and mustered a sunny smile. “Well, good night! Sleep well.” I turned and unlocked my door.

As it closed behind me, I heard him quietly say, “Sleep well, Elikki.”

I stepped into a warm, cozy room with beechwood furniture and—surprise, surprise—pale, yellow-painted walls.

Brass candlesticks were scattered around, holding beeswax candles that burned cheerily.

A cut-glass vase held a small bouquet of daffodils, probably the first of the season.

Despite the dark night outside, the room felt bright and filled with light.

I saw my pack leaning in one corner. Fluffy white and yellow pillows filled half of the plush bed, on which a robe and towel were laid out.

And best of all, a metal bathtub sat at the foot of the bed, radiating a gentle heat.

I groaned. I pulled the curtains closed, then shed my clothes—all covered with a fine layer of road dust and horsehair from our travels—and practically leaped into the tub. Splashed some water over the edge, of course.

Goddess, it felt amazing. The perfect temperature, just hot enough. This tub was wide and deep, and I ducked under to douse my hair. It smelled like Legus had scented the bathwater with something. Was that lavender and… jasmine? Fancy, for a little country inn.

Finding a round cake of soap sitting in a dish nearby, I did a full wash.

After that, I rinsed my hair and rested back against the curved metal.

I lost track of time. It was so soothing to just sit in this hot tub and drift blissfully.

I was full, warm, clean, and I smelled incredible.

A nagging feeling in my chest was the only thing that stopped this night from being perfect.

My mind kept going to Barra, probably sitting in his own tub just like me right now. Naked. And very wet.

He was probably only what, twenty feet away? Two wood walls and two slabs of metal were all that was between our bodies. That, and some distance.

I imagined the water dripping over Barra’s lavender-skinned forehead, down his large nose. It sluiced over those huge shoulders and across a broad, muscled chest that I hadn’t seen—I wish I could have seen!—but had already imagined often in the short time I’d known him.

Picturing him dripping in his bathtub—maybe scrubbing with a tiny washcloth and spreading bubbles all over himself—I reached down into the water to touch myself.

Surely it wouldn’t be bad to just think about him while I did this?

I slipped two fingers into the folds of my pussy, rubbing slowly and firmly.

I let out a deep sigh. Sinking lower into the water, I saw Barra behind my closed eyelids. He was standing in his tub now and stroking his huge cock firmly in one hand. Breathing heavily, he gripped one side of the high tub, muscles straining as he built toward climax. He clenched—

Knock, knock.

My eyes flew open, fingers freezing on my clit. Someone was at the door. Not Barra’s door in my wankdream, but my real door, here in this room.

Oh shit. Was it him? Did he sense me in here thinking about him and come over?

“Elikki, I have your dessert. And I’ve come to clear away the tub.” Legus’s kind, deep rasp sounded through the door.

I hadn’t realized the water had cooled around me. I must have been in here for ages. “Sorry, just a minute!” I called.

Getting out quickly—and splashing a small wave on the floor again—I grabbed a towel and dried off as best I could. I threw it on the ground to soak up the puddle, then wrapped the soft robe around me before flinging the door open.

The dragonborn innkeeper filled the doorway. He held a covered woven basket in one scaly hand. Holding it out to me, he said, “Saho sent me up with this. Make sure to compliment them tomorrow or I won’t hear the end of it.”

I took it with a smile. “Thanks! Dessert is the perfect way to top off the most relaxing evening I’ve had in weeks.”

“May I?” Legus gestured to the bathtub.

“Of course, of course,” I said. “Do you need help?” I moved as if to grab one handle on the tub.

He chuckled, tucking the damp floor towel under his arm. “No, small one.” Grabbing both ends, he lifted the tub like it was as light as the dessert basket. “But you are sweet to offer. A kind heart. I’m glad Barra has you.”

I blinked. He was gone before my brain could catch up enough to say that Barra didn’t have me. We were just traveling together. He hardly knew me.

I put the basket on my bed and lifted the cloth off. Two large slices of lemon cake were nestled inside, drizzled chaotically with white icing. Wow. I knew I gave off big “two desserts” energy, but that was going to be a lot for even me after the dinner we’d had.

Then I saw the small bottle of mead tucked next to the plate. And two glasses.

Saho, you wily busybody.

They had intentionally given me both desserts. So that I’d have to bring Barra’s over to him. I groaned for the second time in an hour, this time in annoyance.

Good try. I’ll just eat both desserts. And drink the mead. That’d serve Saho right. And Barra, for turning me down. Again. I couldn’t face him right now. I just wanted to have my cake in bed and then pass out in this pile of pillows.

I took a bite of one slice. Sweet lemon burst onto my tongue, the light sponge almost melting in my mouth. It was quite possibly the most delicious cake I’d ever tasted.

“Fuck you, Saho,” I grumbled to myself. I don’t think my conscience would leave me alone if I deprived Barra of trying this too.

And, to be fair, I got to ride Pebble most of the day while he walked.

Maybe he deserved it. I pictured him enjoying the cake—maybe still covered in bath bubbles—and made up my mind.

I took one more bite and then sighed, covering the dessert up with the cloth again. I tiptoed out my door, crossed the dim hallway, and placed the basket in front of Barra’s room. Chewing my lip, I hesitated. He wouldn’t know it was out here for him unless I knocked.

Steeling myself, I rapped two quick knocks on the wood and bolted back to my open door. Just as I reached it, I heard a low voice.

“Elikki?”

I paused, then swiveled, plastering a smile on my face. Barra stood leaning in the doorway. He’d changed into a pair of loose drawstring pants and a knit sweater. His hair was wet, combed and hanging around his face. Damn, he looked good.

“Did you need something?” Spotting the basket, he reached down. “What’s this?”

“Saho sent up some dessert,” I said.

“This one has a bite missing,” he said, frowning.

“Two bites,” I said, inching backward. “Well, good night! Again!” I moved to close the door.

“Do you want to join me?”

I hesitated. “Do you want me to?” I asked, confused.

Barra slowly padded toward me across the hall. The closer he got, the faster my pulse raced.

“Yes,” he said.

“But… I thought that you—” My mouth snapped shut as he leaned in, reaching one arm behind me. He grabbed the doorknob and tugged it closed, trapping me outside.

Barra’s arms bracketed me against the door.

I could smell his minty, woodsmoke scent, and I had to stop myself from tucking into him and inhaling.

It was too dark in the hallway to see his face properly.

But I could sense him. Tensed. Breathing too rapidly, like me.

He was going to kiss me. Please let him kiss me .

And then suddenly he was gone, striding back across the hall. He scooped up the basket. Not looking back, he entered his well-lit room and disappeared to the right.

I followed him without thinking. It wasn’t until I was inside and had closed the door behind us that I realized I was still in my robe. Feet bare, and my hair a wet, tangled mess since I hadn’t combed it out yet after my bath.

Looking around, I took in Barra’s bed, his tidy belongings, and the burning fireplace he stood next to.

His room was easily twice the size of mine.

With dark, polished wood furniture and sage green walls, the decor almost made me feel like we were back in the woods.

There was a large window, closed tightly against the cold night, and I could see the moon shining through. It was nearly full.

With my back to him, I held in a smile and loosened the neck of my robe a bit so that my cleavage would show.

What an interesting turn of events.