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Layala followed her friend’s line of sight and found, in the oversized armchair with a lit civar between his fingers and a wicked grin, the vilest person she’d ever known.

“Hello, love.” He smiled. “You should see the look on your faces. Were you expecting someone else?”

Chapter19

LAYALA

The floral scent of the potpourri lingering in the shop’s air had masked the smell of the civar now hitting her senses. Layala glanced back at the tailor’s assistant through the curtains, but she hadn’t followed and hopefully she stayed in the back. How did he find them? She was certain he went in the opposite direction. Both Layala and Piper had been on high alert as they went through the city in case they were tailed by an assassin or—him. No one followed close behind.

“Stay here,” Layala breathed and for Piper’s safety, Layala made her way across the white glittering floor, bare feet silent as the night. She swallowed hard and stopped before Hel. He wore his perfectly tailored black suit with a deep red undervest. His wavy hair curled around his face in a perfectly tousled way and there wasn’t even a shadow on his clean-shaven face, but there was a small dark stain on the collar of his top and she wondered whose blood it was.

“Mmm I do like it. Give us a turn.” He twirled his hand in a circular motion, waving smoke everywhere. “Your ass looks phenomenal.”

“Why are you here?”

“War may think the redhead is a sufficient guard for you, but I do not.”

“I thought you were finding a date,” Layala snapped and crossed her arms.

“Didn’t take long, love.”

Light footsteps interrupted them. “Oh, I see you’ve met Mr. Black.” The tailor shop owner, Mr. Drenovan stepped out from the back and clasped his hands together. With a grin he hurried across the floor and stopped next to Layala, waving a hand toward Hel. “This nice fellow offered to pay for both your dresses as long as he approves.”

Layala turned to the owner. “You can tell Mr.BlackI don’t need his charity.”

“Uh,” the elf stuttered, and with eyes so wide they might pop out of his head, he looked back and forth between them unsure of what to do. “Mr. Black?”

Hel flicked a gold coin at Mr. Drenovan, and he caught it with glee. “Tell Miss Lightbringer I’ll be paying either way.”That’s what good husbands do,he whispered in her mind.

Her teeth clenched together, and she wanted to take the burning end of that stupid civar and shove it into his eye.Not my husband,Layala thought, narrowing her eyes at him.

He smirked.You’re learning, little rabbit.

Her throat went dry, and she coughed. He heard that?Stay out of my head.

I can only speak to your mind and vice versa. I can’t read your every thought. Although your face gives everything away well enough.

After biting the coin and inspecting it thoroughly, the shop owner turned to her with arched brows. “Miss Lightbringer?” he asked, realizing the significance of the name, and surveyed her with new scrutiny, going from face to body, stopping on the lily mark. “Miss Lightbringer! Why didn’t you tell me who you were when you came in? Can I get you a glass of wine, perhaps a few hors d’oeuvres for you and your friends? We have outstanding chocolate from only the best in the Valley, and a variety of nuts from all over Adalon. Maker above, if I’d known I’d have the future queen of Palenor in the shop I’d have set up much differently and had dresses ready for you!” He placed his palm flat against his chest. “It’s dreadful what thePalenor Scrollwrites about you, dear. I don’t know why His Majesty allows it.”

“He’s not a tyrant like his father. He allows freedom. ThePalenor Scrollis allowed to write what they please.”

I’m certain if War wanted to stop it, he would,Hel whispered to her mind. “A glass of wine would be wonderful, Drenovan,” Hel said aloud with a charming smile.

“No, thank you.” Layala shook her head and scowled at Hel. “We need to be going.” She needed to get this maniac out of here before he killed someone. Gah,I should have listened to Thane and used the house tailor, even if she is Orlandia’s loyal dog.

“Wine please.” Hel’s voice sounded a little different, more resonant, and his eyes seemed to glow a light brighter. “I don’t need to be going anywhere. I’m rather enjoying myself.” He lifted his hand and curled his fingers at Piper. “Come here.”

Layala’s heart thundered in her ears, drowning out the sound of the busy streets that idly played in the background. “Don’t…”

“Don’t what?” Hel stared at her through the smoke rising out of the civar between his lips.

Grinning, Mr. Drenovan clasped his hands again. “I’ll be right back with the wine, Mr. Black.”

Piper stopped at Layala’s side and even if she looked terrified, she lifted her chin slightly and stood tall. Hel patted his lap. “Hello, Red. Have a seat.”

“No.” Layala grabbed Piper’s wrist and tugged her slightly behind.

“I didn’t ask for your permission,” Hel said, then looked at Piper. “But let’s make this into a training session, shall we? Turn yourself into shadow and I won’t make her sit on my lap.”