Chapter 235

Alaina knew it was probably a bit late to be checking in on the Tenet delvers, but after such a stellar response to the goblin raid earlier, she had wanted to congratulate them firsthand. Hence why she was here, a few hours past sunset, heading up into the second story of The Kraken’s Hearth to track down Natalie—who Alaina had gotten the impression was the unofficial leader of the group, despite Elizabeth Beaumon’s inclusion on the team.

And that was definitely why she tracked down Natalie specifically, Alaina told herself. Because she seemed to be their group’s leader. Not for any other reason.

Alaina would admit she was a bit enthralled by the concept of delvers. As the daughter of a baron, she had seen plenty of high-level combat classes, and they each had auras of mystique or at least competence. But few were Tenet trained. That meant something. Tenet—one of the most prestigious academies in the world.

And for whatever reason, the team’s newness to their professions made Alaina even more interested in them. They felt more relatable for the fact, yet no less intriguing. Perhaps that had been why she’d volunteered to see to their needs as a show of grace ... though Elizabeth Beaumon’s presence had all but demanded the Crestwood family show some level of humility on its own merit.

She hadn’t thought it would be a chore in the first place, but seeing just who she would be catering to for the short few days it took them to complete the quest had doubly stoked Alaina’s interest. Because what a fascinating group of five. Natalie especially. Alaina had seen plenty of beautiful women in her life, but of Natalie’s particular stature, with that roguish short red hair and stunning blue eyes? Those strong arms and idle confidence?

Alaina didn’t even prefer women, but if she did ... well, Natalie, she supposed, would be her type.

She shook her head clear. Those thoughts were wholly inappropriate, she chided herself in reminder, not for the first time.

Climbing into the lodging area of The Kraken’s Hearth, she scanned the numbers engraved on the faces of the doors, seeking out the number she knew belonged to Natalie’s room—which the innkeeper downstairs had provided to her. Seven, she thought, scanning. Seven. One, two, three ... down the hall, then. She kept walking.

Reaching the end of the corridor, she became aware of a noise that had been present from further away, but, coming into focus as she homed in on Natalie’s room, finally became recognizable.

The clapping of flesh.

Moans. Whines. Grunting. The very enthusiastic squeaking of bedsprings, and a headboard hitting the wall.

Oh.

Oh.

Alaina froze there, standing just outside Natalie’s door. Listening, though not in any voyeuristic way, but rather from shock, suddenly unable to move.

Natalie had a visitor? Some gentleman?

That hardly surprised her. The woman could obviously pull anyone she wanted back to her room. Who wouldn’t want to—um, be her guest?

Except.

Why did the grunts and moans sound like two different women? And not a man and a woman? Why the clapping of flesh?

Alaina’s face grew hotter and hotter as she stood there, frozen in place. Yes, by the noises, there were definitely two women enjoying each other’s company, past that door.

W-With the help of a toy, then? Or what? Because that was definitely one person hammering into another ... Alaina wasn’t the most experienced, but she could tell that much by the very loud, enthusiastic noises.

Oh, dear.

Should she leave?

Obviously she should leave.

Natalie was clearly busy.

But then why was Alaina’s hand raising, clenching into a fist?

To knock at the door in several loud raps?

The noises in Natalie’s room fell silent. It stayed that way for a few seconds, the occupants surely having heard the knock. But then the sounds returned. Even louder. Reinvigorated. The moans and grunts took a fevered pitch. As if the two of them were working even faster, unwilling to be interrupted—and thus finishing as quickly as they could.