Especially since I had yet another request to make of them.

I strode toward the bar, and she lifted her head, the humming subsiding as a polite smile formed over her scaled mouth. “Your Highness.” She nodded, and a strand of her gray-flecked red hair fell from underneath the floral-patterned bandanna she wore. She continued with her task. “What can I do for you?”

“I wished to thank you for your hospitality,” I said, which was half the truth, but I knew Luca would scold me if I didn’t practice pleasantries first.

I forgot how human he was sometimes.

“It’s no hardship,” she offered, her voice a deep, throaty hiss. “I must admit, having a royal under my roof won’t be bad for business.”

I hummed, pretending the silence of the room proved her statement otherwise. The sound must not have hit the correct note as she snorted. “I thought you might appreciate peace and privacy,” she explained. “Only myself, my two mates, and a few of the staff remain.”

My assumption had been correct then. “Thank you. You will be compensated.”

“As I informed your comrades, I have no need for anything.” She set down the tankard in her hand, giving me her undivided attention. “It is our pleasure to serve you and your mate, my prince. We are honored to have you grace our humble bar, and I wish only for your contentment.”

“Your loyalty is valued,” I said, knowing it was not enough but was all I could offer. No words could do justice to how grateful I was to have the support of my people, and I could only hope to live up to their expectations and strive to deserve that allegiance. “Though I fear I must impose on you further.”

Her back straightened, and she wiped her scaled hands on her apron in preparation for my request. “Name it, it will be done.”

“A group of reapers were set upon us. Thankfully, they failed to carry out their task, but I’m not convinced there won’t be others sent in their place. I resent bringing darkness to your doorstep, but for my mate’s safety, I had no other choice.”

Her flat nose wrinkled in disgust. “Reapers are nasty little bastards, but easy enough to kill if they don’t catch you in their thrall. You did the right thing coming here—” She reached under the bar, withdrawing a bow and quiver of arrows. “As I am fully equipped to deal with them, should they decide to swing by for a drink.”