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As for the teas themselves, I sniffed a few, but after the fifth, perfumed with cinnamon and oranges, it became overwhelming. I resigned myself to reading the labels, pausing only when I got to a shelf with eight tins bearing the most interesting names.

Lady of Silks

Lady of Ships

Lord of Tongues

Lord of Coin

The other four honored the Wardens of the East, West, North and South.

“Those blends honor the high lords and ladies of the Sacred Eight. They’re some of my best work,” a voice came from behind, making me jump. I turned to find Tvali standing behind me with a steaming cup of tea in his hands. “I didn’t mean to startle you, my lady.”

“Don’t apologize. I was engrossed.” I gestured to the tins. “This is a clever idea, to blend teas representing the highest lords and ladies of Winter’s Realm”

“They’re our leaders, so fae like the idea of drinking a tea attached to their name.” He held the steaming cup out to me, and I took it. “This here is the one I created to honor our own Warden of the West. It’s popular in Guldtown and sells quickly, but I always keep the blend behind the counter. I hope you like it.”

He waited, clearly wanting to see my reaction, so I sipped. My eyes widened. Flavors I could not place rolled over my tongue. The brew tasted spicy but also earthy. It reminded me of the forest that I’d ridden through with Frode to get here.

“Local needles and a hint of spice made from local pinecones.” Tvali continued to observe me. “Everything in that blend is from the Western Front, as it should be when it honors the Lisika family.”

“It’s delicious,” I said.

“She likes my tea, doesn’t she?” Roar called out from where he waited, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest. Suggestively, he arched an eyebrow.

“It’s good enough.” I rearranged my features to be less enthused. “Bit bitter, though. Could use some sweetening up.”

Tvali muffled a laugh.

“Please, my lady, I saw the way your eyes lit up. I’m irresistible, and there’s no denying it.” Roar ran a hand through his long hair, and I had to admit the effect looked equally devastating and ridiculous, just as he’d wished it to.

Tvali burst out laughing, and I followed suit. The sounds of our laughter filled the room, warming every corner. “That’s what we of Guldtown think too, my lord.”

“I’ll buy any of that tea that you have in stock today, Tvali. Clearly my lady likes it, and I like to please her, so I’ll need it on hand.” He winked at me.

Heat filled my cheeks, which only made the teamaker grin even broader.

Chapter 15

Roar directed me down the street that I’d glimpsed the day the orcs attacked—the one that smelled of burning steel.

“What are we doing now?” I asked. For hours, we’d been stopping into shops, purchasing wares, and just generally allowing me to get to know the fae of Guldtown. Though I’d enjoyed the day out, I had to admit that my feet were beginning to ache.

“This is the last stop,” Roar replied. “I need to speak to the Master Smith of the city and see that my order is ready.” He shot me a sidelong glance. “I know we’ve been going a long while, but this is too important to wait to send someone later.”

“So, this is where all the smiths are! I thought so the other day but wasn’t sure.” Just as I said it, we passed the first forge, then another, and another. This far down, the street didn’t just smell of burning steel but of fire and coal and sweat. Between the fae talking and the clanging of metal, it was the loudest and most boisterous part of the city that I’d seen. “There seem to be an awful lot of forges. Why is that?”

“My army is the largest in Winter’s Realm and that means many smiths congregate here.” He gestured to two forges set side-by-side, one a rundown shack with a single smithy, another a building with the door and windows open. Inside the latter, at least five smiths worked tirelessly.

“Even larger than the royal army?” My hand brushed the snowy top of a barrel as we passed by.

“Yes, though when they have me send fae to fight for the royal house, mine appears smaller.” His lips flattened.

“How often do you send fae?”

He huffed out a breath. “Whenever House Aaberg requests it. With the Warrior Bear being so careless with fae lives, it is more often than I like.”

I cocked my head at the odd title. “Who’s the Warrior Bear?”