There was no lock on the door, and Ren half-expected someone to walk in on him with his naked body on full display. Showing off his natural state to strangers normally didn't bother him, but the thought of being called out as the bastard prince of Frayne and arrested by town guards with his bare ass covered in soap was less than appealing. Ren washed quickly, but no one entered.

“The bath is free,” Ren murmured as he returned to their room, rubbing his damp hair dry with a towel. He was dressed in the same clothes he had been riding in, but felt at least a little cleaner. “The serving boy is fetching more water. It should be warm in a few minutes.”

Anik had rolled up the map and moved to sit on the window sill, gaze focused on the road below. He didn't turn to look at Ren, simply acknowledged the offer with a grunt. He was still only wearing dark trousers, his chest and feet bare. Ren huffed and shook his head. He hadn't expected Anik to take him up on the offer. It wouldn't surprise Ren if Lowlanders only bathed once or twice a year.

Returning to his bed, he lay down on his side, dragging the blankets up over his shoulders. Maybe if he could stop thinking about blood, he'd finally be able to sleep.

* * *

Ren had no idea how much time had passed, but it was completely dark in the room when Anik nudged him awake.

“They're here.” Anik's voice sounded close to him in the darkness.

Ren rubbed his eyes and pushed up onto his elbows. He watched the silhouette of Anik's body as Anik returned to his spot at the window. Ren looked at the other bed. It was untouched. Anik must have sat there for hours in the darkness.

Sitting up, Ren lit the candle by the side of the bed, squinting in the sudden light. As he sat up, the door opened with a soft creak. A head poked in, then the door opened the rest of the way and Niklas and Berin stepped inside. Niklas came straight for Ren and wrapped his arms tight around him.

“Are you all right?” Ren asked, squeezing Niklas to him before holding him out at arm's length to look him over, relief washing over him.

Niklas nodded, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to Ren. “Everything is chaos back home. Sneaking out wasn't too hard.”

Berin came up to them, expression full of worry. He looked like he had hardly slept, the light of the candle casting dark shadows on his face.

Ren couldn't help but feel a little guilty. He was the one who had sneaked into the party; he had brought this upon himself, and consequently, his friends. “I'm sorry,” he whispered, turning his eyes to the floor.