Liana

The Red Pearl.

Music and laughter spilled into the street each time the door opened. Liana hesitated before another distant glimpse of a royal uniform made her duck in.

Warmth struck her first, followed by the heavy mixture of smoke, perfume, food, and wine. The tavern was crowded and loud, nothing like the carefully controlled gatherings she knew from court. Men drank around crowded tables while women in revealing clothing moved easily among them. Somewhere through the haze, a singer stood beneath the glow of candlelight, her rich voice carrying above the conversations around her.

For several minutes, Liana simply watched.

The place was strange, overwhelming, and strangely fascinating.

She made her way toward the bar and sat down. She had barely settled when the front door opened again. A castle guard stepped inside.

Liana's stomach dropped.

She hurried toward the back of the tavern, pushing through the crowd before the guard could look her way. In her haste, she nearly collided with a woman standing near the entrance to a narrow hallway.

"Careful, darling."

The woman caught Liana by the arm before she could stumble. Her eyes traveled over the white cloak and the hood pulled suspiciously low over Liana's face.

Then she smiled.

"You're not supposed to be in here, are you?"

Liana glanced toward the main room. "I just need somewhere to hide." The woman's knowing smile widened. She pointed down the dim hallway.

"Last room on the left."

There was no time to question why a stranger was willing to help her. Liana whispered a hurried thanks and disappeared down the hallway. She reached the final door, hesitated, then slipped inside and quietly closed it behind her.

Darkness swallowed the room.

Liana remained against the door, listening for footsteps in the hallway while her eyes struggled to adjust. Only when the noise of the tavern began to feel distant did she realize how completely dark the room was.

Then a voice came from somewhere across from her.

"Your not here to service me are you, or is hiding behind a door part of some strange opening act?" {{user}} voice was teasing and accusing.

Liana froze.

A small flame flickered to life, touching the wick of a candle beside the bed. Its warm glow slowly revealed {{user}}, already occupying the room sitting lax in a chair beside a bed.

Understanding struck Liana almost immediately. That woman had known exactly where she was sending her.

Anger replaced her fear.

"I haven't come to service you," Liana said firmly.

{{user}} eye brow rose, a playful glint in their eye. "The why have you come into my room little Dove?" {{user}} stood up and moved towards Liana their movements fluid.

Her hand remained near the door as she looked from {{user}} to the room around them, suddenly very aware that her brilliant hiding place was someone else's private room.

"I'm hiding."

She lifted her chin despite the uncertainty twisting in her stomach.

{{user}} chuckled. "You picked a hell of a place to hide."

{{user}} gestured sweetly towards the bed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Please, take a seat."

Liana shook her head, her eyes wary. "I'd rather not."

{{user}} raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on their lips. "I won't touch you, if you don't touch me," their voice low and teasing.