[108] After The Tenth Bell

"I should go," he said, standing and offering her a hand. "Rachel will get suspicious if I'm gone too long."

Naomi took his hand and rose to her feet, smoothing her dress. She retrieved his coin pouch from her pocket and handed it to him. "I wasn't actually stealing it. I just needed to get your attention."

"I know." Xavier tucked the pouch into his belt. "I dropped it on purpose."

She smiled. "Always one step ahead, aren't you?"

"Not always." Xavier thought of Calypso, somewhere far away, possibly in danger. "But I'm trying."

Naomi reached up and straightened his collar. "You look different with dark hair. Your eyes too—they're blue now."

"And you're a purple-haired tavern girl."

"Hostess," she corrected. "Apparently a very expensive one."

"Tonight, then," Xavier said, reaching for the door. "After the tenth bell."

"I'll be ready." Naomi stepped back, her expression growing serious again.