Chapter 2

“I wish to share with you a dance to honor the goddess. Please watch me.”

The crowd seemed too stunned by his pronouncement to even comment on how scandalous it was. Markle felt his own cheeks flush in embarrassment for the dancer. Markle was no stranger to being the oddity in the community, but he never forced it onto anyone else. He kept his eccentric qualities to himself as much as possible.

The dancer removed his cloak and set it to the side. It revealed his somewhat plain face, dark eyes, and a completely hairless head. But not from age. He was youthful, likely no older than Markle. The man’s clothes were simple cotton, and the shirt clung tightly to his chest and the pants gathered at his ankles.

The stranger closed his eyes and steepled his palms together in front of his chest. Slowly, the man lifted his left leg, toe pointed, and stepped forward. He repeated with his right. Though no music played, Markle could almost hear the strum of strings, the chirp of flutes, the beat of drums. The stranger’s body projected the tune with his simple movements.

Next, the dancer added in a swivel of his hips. Markle’s mouth dropped at its suggestive nature. Unbidden images entered his mind, carnal and passionate. The man’s bronze skin naked but flushed with desire, his lips red and raw from sucking, eyelids half closed from sated pleasure.

Markle shivered.

The dancer kicked and twirled, twisting his arms around, fingers almost caressing his own face. A look of ecstasy lit up his dark eyes. He moved with so much grace, like a fish darting through clear water. His motions almost defied gravity as his jumps soared higher. Sweat trickled down his cheeks, adding a glisten to the top of his head. Even though he obviously grew tired, he did not slow down.

Faster and faster he spun until the tension of the room was palpable, the crescendo peaking in tandem. The dancer leaped, his leg kicking up and out, arms spread wide. A dolphin jumping free of the water looked clumsy and uncoordinated in comparison. When he landed, he fell to his knees, his head bowed, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

There was silence for a heartbeat then the audience roared with applause and praise. They surged to their feet, those closest patting the man’s shoulders or grasping his hands. The dancer stood, his smile wide and beautiful.

Markle wanted to be closer, to touch the man himself. He nearly pushed the old sailor out of his way to get to the dancer’s side. I have to feel him. I have to…

Blinking, Markle realized he’d been hoodwinked, just like the rest of these fools. The man had been skillful, sure, but so much that Markle was ready to push down the elderly just for a chance to touch his dark skin? Such stupidity.

Fuming, at himself and the dancer, Markle realized he’d had enough. He wanted to get far from this man, and the other drooling idiots in the room.

He grabbed his travel sack and pushed his way past the sailor with a muttered apology. The old man didn’t even notice, he was so intent on the dancer.

Markle made his way to the innkeeper. He had to pull on her elbow twice before she tore her gaze away.

“Yes?”

“I’d like to be shown to my room,” he said.

“Of course, of course. It’s a silver coin for the night, lad.”

Markle nodded and reached into his pouch for the money. His fingers found only air. He looked down, opening the pouch wide, looking for his coins. It was completely empty.

“Lad?” the innkeeper asked, her tone a hair less friendly.

“My money’s gone.”

“If you don’t have enough—” she began.

“I did. After paying for dinner, I had plenty left. A gold coin and about ten silver. Where did it go?”

“Loose stitches on your pouch?”

Markle’s fingers ran around the edge. The stitches were secure, as he knew they would be. He’d sewn this leather pouch himself. “No, it’s fine.”

“Was anyone sitting close enough to take it?”

“Not without me noticing.” He glanced back at the table, trying to spy a sparkle of coins along the floor. There were none.

“Well money just doesn’t disappear. And if you’ve got no coins, not even for a drink, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“But—”

She held up her wooden spoon as if she meant to smack him with it.

“Fine,” he said and went to the door.

Just as he closed it behind him, he heard the dancer say, “Now, if you will kindly watch my next dance.”

Markle scowled into the night. A three-quarter moon gave ample light, but not enough for him to seek assistance from strangers. People were wary of letting in an unknown traveler during the day. It’d be near impossible to find someone willing now. He’d find no help tonight.