Chapter 5 - Better
Nalia turned around as she pulled her shirt the rest of the way down. She was certain she had felt his eyes on her, but he was facing away, asleep by all appearances, though he'd been awake but a minute ago.
The moment she'd gotten out of the bed it had all changed.
She was putting on her clothes so she could walk out his door and into the night. Leaving him there, alone, as she went to the De'Arnise city residence where she would spend her night, also alone. What had been so amazingly easy to forget when she was in his bed, in his arms, was now mercilessly clear.
She supposed if they really were lovers she might have done something similar as this to avoid suspicion, but that did nothing to change how it felt now. The simple fact was they weren't lovers, and she was…
She swept herself from the room, passing the chair with her cloak, smoothly throwing it around her shoulders on the way to the door. She opened it and stepped out into the nightlife of the docks district.
It was not so dangerous as many would believe. Those with skill prowled where there was money to be had. Muggers left in the docks were desperate men, untrained and poorly equipped. She was neither, and she carried herself with the confidence of one who knew it.
And tonight she carried something else with her, as well. Something she had foolishly hoped she could leave behind at Fith's doorstep. She stopped before a middle-aged woman in heavy make-up and just as little clothing. A harlot, rubbing her arms as she desperately looked for a customer just so she could get out of the cold.
'I'm no better than her, now,' Nalia thought. And she slowly began to smile.
"Hey, what are you starin' an' smilin' at! Don't be gettin' any ideas, lady, I only work men!"
Nalia blushed. "My apologies, I wasn't…nevermind." She came closer and pushed a gold piece into the woman's hand. "Is this enough to get you out of the cold for a while?"
The woman's mouth flapped soundlessly as she looked into her hand, eyes wide. Nalia quickly moved on before she could find her voice, her step feeling much lighter than it had in a long time.