Bri sighed, spotting the red lantern hanging inconspicuously above the door. “A brothel. Of course.”

Lina peered up at the second-floor window, where candlelight flickered beyond the half-drawn curtains. “You go distract the matron and I’ll sneak in and grab the necklace.”

“Necklace?” Bri tilted her head. “He stole a necklace?”

“He nicked it from Tem in the bathhouses,” Lina whispered. “I saw him wearing it this morning in the castle. It’s Tem’s necklace, the lying thief.”

“Right.” Bri snorted.

Lina’s lip curled as she leaned closer. “What?”

“Aren’t you a hero, rescuing your betrothed’s stolen necklace,” Bri teased. Lina’s hot breath skimmed Bri’s cheek as Bri held her hard stare.

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you.” Lina turned the corner, looking back over her shoulder at Bri. “Now, do you want to help me or not?”

Bri frowned but followed. Lina rapped on the brothel door, shoving Bri in front of it and disappearing into the shadows. Bri’s scowl into the darkness morphed into a feral smirk as the matron opened the door.

“I know you,” the matron said, clasping her hands in front of her and blocking the narrow threshold. “You’re that one they call the Golden Eagle. The one they say is here to steal the crown.”

Bri let her eyelids droop, pretending drink had overtaken her senses. She dropped into a swaggering bow. “The one and only.”

The matron cocked her head. “I thought you were a twin?”

“Well, ‘the two and only’ doesn’t sound as good.” Bri leaned her forearm against the frame, pinning the matron with her smoldering gaze. “I heard your establishment is the best place to come for those with a pocketful of gold who are looking for a good time.”

The matron grinned at the word “gold,” dropping her eyes to Bri’s pockets. She stepped backward, permitting entry into the foyer. With a drunken guffaw, Bri stumbled forward, pretending to trip into the matron. Her hands bracketed the woman’s body as the matron gasped. Caging her in, Bri dipped her head down into her neck and breathed deeply, making her shudder. The whoosh of air behind her told her that Lina had successfully snuck inside, and she pushed away.

“Apologies,” Bri said, straightening her tunic with a playful laugh. “I might have had a few glasses before I came here.”

“It’s quite all right,” the matron said, brushing a brown curl off her forehead and swallowing. Her cheeks were flushed as she pressed her hand to her chest and took a steadying breath. Bri grinned at her flustered expression.

“Please, do come in.” The matron gestured to the sitting room.

Bri sat on the red satin couch and crossed her ankle over her knee, the picture of ease. A woman entered in nothing but a sheer, gauzy slip. Her dyed red hair spilled over her shoulder and covered most of her chest. She carried a golden tray with a single silver goblet, gracefully gliding across the lush crimson carpet and proffering the drink to Bri.