He scoffed at her words. "There's no such thing as a gift. If I were to take that from you, sooner or later you would ask a favor from me in return. Nothing in life is ever truly given without expectation."
Catera tsked at him. "You are far too young to be so jaded. Whatever did they do to you to make you so suspicious?"
He didn't say anything.
But in my heart, I knew the horrors of his past. Knew what had stolen his trust. No doubt I was one of the key factors that had turned him into this bitter stranger I barely recognized.
As they walked, the woman chatted endlessly, trying to entice him to notice other trinkets and such. He would only look at them silently, then turn away.
I stayed back, making sure they didn't notice me. Not that it was difficult. Acheron kept his eyes cast down as if unwilling to look at anyone around him while Catera saw only him.
A man came up to them and pulled her aside.
Acheron wandered a few booths over while they spoke. It hurt me to watch him. To see the way the vendors curled their lips at his approach. The way "decent" people averted their eyes or looked scornfully at his clothes.
But even more horrifying than that was the way their expressions shifted the moment they saw his face. The blazing hot lust was undeniable. The intensity of it frightening.
Little did they know that but for an accident of birth and my father's unfounded hatred, Acheron would have been their future king.
It made me seethe and at the same time, there was nothing I could do to help.
How I hated being born a woman in a world where women were barely one step up from dirt.
Catera returned to his side.
Acheron glanced to the man who was still watching them. The man's eyes were hungry.
Acheron's were empty. "He wanted to purchase me." It was a statement of fact as if he were more than used to it.
She laughed at that. "They all want to purchase you, akribos. If I ever wanted to sell you as a slave, no doubt I would be richer than Midas."
A shadowed pain darkened his eyes at her words. "I should go back and prepare myself for-"
"No," she said, cutting him off. "This day is yours to do with as you please. You work too hard. You can't stay inside all the time."
His jaw flexed at her words. "I don't like being around people."
"And yet you don't mind having sex with them. I don't understand you."
He started away from her.
"Acheron," she said, pulling him to a stop. "I'm sorry. I just . . ." She paused and rubbed his hand. "You can't continue on the way you do. No one sees clients from waking to sleeping, day after day without stop. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the money you make for me, but at the rate you're going, you'll end up dead before you're one-and-twenty."
He gave a short, bitter laugh. "I told you, it's what I'm used to."
"And I told you that I wouldn't let you be hurt at my house. I take care of my people, especially those who are as popular as you are." She pressed a small purse into his hand. "Take the rest of the day and enjoy it. Go to a play. Go get drunk. Go enjoy being young while you can and I'll see you this evening."
The woman walked away from him.
Acheron gripped the purse in his hand before he tucked it inside his robes, then he headed in the opposite direction.
Torn, I stood there debating whom to follow.
I sent my bodyguard after the woman. I knew I couldn't meet with her openly lest someone see us together and report it to my father. So I had him invite her into a small hostel.
I paid the owner to let me into a small room in the back where I could speak to Catera without being seen.
A few minutes later, my bodyguard appeared with Catera by his side. He left us alone and went to stand guard outside the door.
"My lady," Catera said, shifting uneasily. "What can I do for you?"
"Please be seated." I indicated the chair in front of me.
Obviously nervous, she took a seat.
I softened my expression, hoping to calm her nerves. "I wanted to ask you about . . ." I hesitated at saying "my brother." Such knowledge might hurt him. "Acheron," I finished. "Where did you find him?"
She smiled knowingly. "He is handsome, is he not? But alas, he's not for sale. If my lady is interested in purchasing his services-"
"No!" I said, shocked at her suggestion. But then I realized it wasn't out of character for her to think that. "He . . . He reminds me of someone."
She nodded. "Yes, he's almost identical in looks to Prince Styxx. A lot of my clientele thinks so as well. It's been very lucrative for him."
Little did she know it was the most destructive part about my brother. "Where did you find him?" I repeated.
"Why do you want to know?"