"That'll do," he said simply, then motioned for me to follow him.
We slipped out of the palace through a passage I didn't even know existed, hidden behind a stone wall near the old stables. There weren't guards protecting that area… It was perfect because it wouldn't draw any form of attention. Just the two of us, cloaked.
The Black Market was nestled beneath the eastern cliffside, where the law held no ground and secrets were as common as coin.
As soon as we entered the bustling maze of stalls and alleyways, the change was immediate. Scents of spice, sweat, smoke and sin hung in the air. Everyone here looked like they had something to hide and something to sell.
I stuck close to Jesse, trying to keep my head down, but it wasn't easy.
Especially not when the women started throwing themselves at us… well mostly him.
One bold woman who was tall, sultry, with hair like spilled ink walked right up and brushed a finger down Jesse's chest. "Well, aren't you a pretty thing," she purred. "Why don't you come have a taste of paradise, darling? Bring your pet too." She winked at me.
I scowled, ready to snap at her, but Jesse only smirked and kept walking.
Another grabbed his arm, pressing herself against him. "You look tense, sugar. I know just how to loosen you up—"
"Don't touch me," Jesse said coolly, yanking his arm free without even sparing her a glance.
We moved deeper into the market, past the merchant stalls and into the red-light district. That's when Jesse suddenly turned and stepped into one of the courtesan houses, all crimson lanterns and veiled laughter.
I froze. "Wait—what are we doing here?"
He glanced at me over his shoulder, clearly amused. "What does it look like?"
My jaw dropped. "If you brought me here so you can indulge in your… manly desires—"
"I said," Jesse cut in sharply, "we're going undercover. What exactly are you thinking?"
My face burned, and I looked away quickly. "Tch. Whatever."
He leaned in close, voice lower now. "This place is just a front. Smugglers, poison dealers, and information brokers all pass through here. We'll blend in better if they think I'm just another bored noble looking for entertainment."
I narrowed my eyes. "And me?"
"You," he said, flashing a quick grin, "are my bored little consort. Try to look like you're obsessed with me."
"I'd rather die."
"Then act like it's killing you to keep your hands off me," he whispered as a hostess appeared to welcome us.
I had half a mind to hit him, but I plastered on a fake smile instead.
"Right this way," the courtesan cooed, gesturing for us to follow her through a velvet-draped hallway.
I followed Jesse in, my heart racing, wondering if I'd just stepped into a den of answers or into something far more strange.
A courtesan stepped out from behind the sheer curtains, her movements like flowing silk. She was beautiful, the kind of woman who didn't need to try to be alluring. Curves wrapped in deep crimson silk, eyes lined with gold, and a smile that seemed to promise more than it said.
She dipped into a deep, practiced bow. "Your Majesty," she purred. "It's been far too long."
I blinked. Your Majesty?
Tch. Undercover, huh?
He didn't even flinch. "Lana," Jesse said smoothly, with the ease of a regular. "You look well."
My eyes narrowed. Oh, he's been here before. Of course he has.
She turned her gaze to me, clearly sizing me up with a single glance — not hostile, but curious. Maybe a little amused. "And this must be…?"
"No one you need to worry about," I said before Jesse could answer.
Lana chuckled softly. "Well, then. Come. Your usual room?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as we followed her through a narrow hallway draped in silk and incense smoke. Jesse didn't even look fazed — just cool, composed, focused. Like this was just normal business. And maybe it was for them.
But it still annoyed me for some reason.
Inside the private chamber, soft cushions lined the floor, and the lighting was dim, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Lana poured wine into two cups but Jesse didn't touch his.
"I need information," he said bluntly. "About Lord Baron. Who he's been meeting lately."
Lana leaned back against the cushions, swirling her cup lazily. "Baron's gotten…more careful and suspicious," she said. "He's been meeting with someone strange. A man who hides his face, always fully covered, he leaves and dissapears quickly. I sent my people to follow him one time, I found them all dead not too long afterwards."
She took a slow sip. "But the gotten detail so far is this: he has a dragon-shaped scar, on the left side of his back. It's an ugly thing like it was burned into him."
Jesse's eyes darkened. "You mean a branded mark?"
"Seems like it," Lana replied, setting down her cup. "I can try to get you more. But it won't be cheap."
He slid a small velvet pouch across the table. "Get it no matter what."
She gave him a seductive, satisfied nod.
"I'll send word when I hear more," she said. "In the meantime, you might want to keep a tighter leash on your consort. She's got really wandering eyes."