Amaris blinked at her own stupidity. She’d nearly told a perfect stranger that she’d come from Farleigh. She couldn’t risk word of which direction she’d headed getting back to the orphanage. Amaris didn’t know how far Millicent’s talons reached. She pursed her lips to silence herself and offered a sad shrug. The gesture would have to suffice.

“No family, then?” The woman frowned apologetically, then added, “Come, let’s get you something to drink. You look pale. Well—pale even for your complexion.”

The maternal innkeeper led them from the bathing room and busied herself fetching a glass of water from behind the bar. She set a glass of water down in front of Amaris before tending to her other customers. Amaris looked around nervously and took in the two dark patrons skulking in the corner. A conciliatory hand went to her hair.

“Say.” Amaris twisted her lips. “Since I’m already buying the tunic from you, would you also be able to find me a scarf for my hair?”

The innkeeper searched Amaris’s features before nodding. “It might help a bit to wrap up those pearly locks of yours, but you’ll want to be keeping your cloak on and hood up if you want any hope of people not catching those eyes of yours. They are…” She allowed her eyes to roam with more concern than Amaris understood. “They’re really unlike anything I’ve seen.”

Amaris knew her features were rare, but she hadn’t understood just how unusual until this stranger had cast her evaluating gaze upon her. She’d been kept away from prying eyes for years. She’d had little to no exposure to outsiders responding to her traits.

Amaris caught a glimpse of Odrin through the window just as the woman returned with a scarf.

“Oh! One moment! Two pennies, right? I’ll be right back.”

Before the woman could stop her, Amaris was out the door. She ran up to the assassin as the man reached his horse. The gray mount nickered as it stepped to the side, wary of her rushed approach.

Her question tumbled out as she asked, “May I steal two pennies off you?”

“Haven’t you already stolen enough of my money?”

He continued saddling the horse without looking her way.

“I stole it back from Agnes, so technically, she was paid twice with the same coin.”

“That she was, but my purse is still empty nonetheless.”

Amaris frowned impatiently. “Didn’t your bishop—”

Odrin fished two pennies from a pouch in his vest. Offering them to her, he said, “I hope you found a ride, girl.”

“Don’t leave the village without me,” she yelled as she took off.