“I assumed because you’re an honourable man,” I replied, not quite sure why my lungs were suddenly breathless. He snorted and pulled a few strands of hair from my head. “Virgin hair,” he chuckled. “That is...” I fumed. “A valuable spell component,” he finished for me. “You would not believe how hard it is to find.” “What about the inn keeper’s daughters? Not that I am arguing for seduction, but still!” He burst out laughing. “Oh, Siorin, you’re so... innocent. The inn keeper, like most inn keepers, has a side trade offering his wife and daughter’s services to his guests.” “Oh,” I was shocked. “That’s awful.” “Starving is awful,” he corrected me. “A little village like Nedin, it’s how they survive.” “Is that why you stole me from the road?” I wondered. “Because you