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Chapter Nine
Romance is in the Air and Everywhere
The journey upriver lasted several days, stopping only once to let off some passengers while taking on more.
Nothing more was said of the ‘nap incident’ as she liked to refer to it in her head. Out of boredom, she supposed, Sark speed read though the book as well. Afterwards they discussed parts of it, mostly pertaining to the lay of the land and what sights they could expect once they reached Kissing Town. She was a littler apprehensive, supposedly the town was the most romantic town in all the kingdoms and people couldn’t help but fall in love. Sark had scoffed at that, but she wasn’t so inclined to dismiss it, magic was everywhere here, or so the book claimed. Otherwise she found herself enjoying the ride and the scenery, even to her private surprise Sark’s company.
He was a clever and entertaining conversationalist, which she shouldn’t have been surprised at, their exchanges during missions had always been sharp and cutting in their wit. Their easy camaraderie also made her apprehensive; they were in fact on opposite sides, something she shouldn’t lose track of despite their easy truce. However late on the second day as they sat side by side watching the stunning sunset as it painted the landscape and the river behind them in brilliant pinks and oranges and purples and as the dark velvet of the night spread its cloak over them revealing the sharp pinpricks of unfamiliar star constellations she willing let go of any apprehension and worry she had and simply gave in to enjoying her time here and the company.
They disembarked at a small fishing village the furthest point of the river voyage. Sark offered his hand to help her off the boat and she accepted without a thought. The village was bustling with carts and horses as crowds of people went on their way either with their daily actives or like her and Sark as they tried to secure a ride to Kissing Town.
With a bit of persuasive power from the both of them they managed to secure a ride with a wagoner.
Rolling into Kissing Town Sydney couldn’t stop the smile that spread over her lips. Everyone was smiling and in cheerful moods, calling out happily to each other. Pink, red and white heart shaped balloons floated randomly throughout the town and just married couples gleefully ran down streets.
Hopping out of the wagon she thanked the wagoner and beamed at Sark who was looking disgruntled.
“Don’t look so grumpy.” She cheerfully teased him while wrapping her arm around his and leading him down a street. Just something about the ambience of the town gave her a euphoric feeling. Previously she had been tired and they had talked of renting rooms once they made it to town before moving on to Wendell’s castle, but now her tiredness had just melted away. Sark’s pessimism hadn’t been affected though.
“We should secure lodgings for the night and try to acquire a ride to the castle.” He grimly reminded her, grimacing at all the pinks.
She sighed, “You’re no fun.”
It didn’t take long to find a hotel; she saw plenty of shops she would have liked to look at if not for Sark’s almost grim determination. The first hotel they found was called the ‘Love Shack’. She’d dissolved into a fit of giggles while Sark led them to the next one.
The rooms had been more expensive then they thought so they ended up renting only one. It was a quaint cottage like room and she launched herself onto the bed and smiled around at the other furnishings. Sark closed the door and briefly glanced around the room before going to the window. Lying on her back with her head tipped over the side of the bed she watched upside down as Sark opened the window and stuck his head out. Shaking her head at his persistence in acting as if they were on a mission and at her own lack of similar actions she stretched out on the bed, arms over her head and toes pointed at the opposite wall.
Languidly curling up she watched through half closed eyes as Sark returned to the other side of the bed.
“I believe we can reach the roof from the window if we have to.” He briskly informed her.
She merely hmm’ed in response.
Looking down at her his expression softened a bit, “I don’t expect you get a lot of down time, being your Agency’s golden girl.” He smiled.
“Not really.” She replied rolling on to her back to stretch again. “You aren’t going to try and recruit me again are you?” She slyly asked.
He chuckled as his eyes followed her movements, “I can guarantee you’d get as much down time as you wished.”
Chuckling softly at his persistence she knelt up on the bed and causally draped her arms over his shoulders, “You’re cute, but I’ll pass.” They both smiled at her words and she went on, “It’s bad enough working with my dad, there’s no way I’m working for my mother or Sloane.”
He shrugged and rested his hands on her waist to steady her on the edge of the bed, “Of course not, we’d naturally go into business for ourselves.”
“Naturally,” she murmured. The room seemed to have taken on a rosy glow, the euphoric feeling was back full force, and she found her eyes drawn to Sark’s lips so close to her own. A quick glance up showed his eyes were similarly drawn to her own lips and she had to forcible fight the urge to wet her lips.
Then just as suddenly the rosy glow was gone and they stared at each other, frozen before awkwardly putting space between themselves once more. Sliding off the bed she glanced down at her bedraggled white dress.
“If we have the money, I’d like to get something else to wear.” She politely inquired.
Sark pulled the pouch from his pocket to check his money while she pulled hers from inside her cloak. After a bit of deliberation they headed out to find a clothing shop.
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