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Here, anything Lore could imagine—and more—was available, if only you had the coin to pay for it.

As the breeze shifted, the smell of something warm and sweet wafted toward them. Inhaling deeply, she followed the scent and found her way to a section dedicated entirely to vendors selling hot, freshly cooked food.

Tables had been set up and a stage erected so a small ensemble could play on elaborately carved instruments. A female stood at the center of the stage, wearing a gauzy gown of deep purple despite the crisp wind. She crooned a song, her eyes closed, her face filled with emotion.

Lore marveled that she could hear the haunting melody from across the large bazaar; the woman’s voice must be magic.

Lore sniffed again, no longer smelling the sugary sweet scent of honey. A spicy aroma enveloped her senses and her mouth watered instead. “What is that?”

She hadn’t realized she’d said it out loud until Asher pointedto a small stall adorned with an intricate pattern. The vendor, a beautiful female with pale skin and pin-straight ink-black hair, waved, her eyes brightening with recognition.

“Asher! If it isn’t my favorite member of the Alytherian army,” she said. “It’s been a while. Have you come for your usual?”

Asher slipped from his spot just behind Lore and strolled up to the stall. “Xuong, I haven’t seen your booth here in too long.”

The female leaned on the counter, her body language at ease. “I thought to try my hand at being a traveling merchant, but it wasn’t worth the expense. Do you know how many people in Viba call my food too spicy? Too spicy! Can you believe it? I had to add milk to the curry for them. Once the flood season ended and the roads were safe again, I headed back here as quickly as I could. It’s nice to be back where the people appreciate flavor.”

“I’ve missed your pies, though I’m sorry to hear your traveling wasn’t a success. I know how much you’ve wanted to expand your empire.”

She laughed, throwing her head back with mirth. “Since when can anyone call two carts an empire?”

Asher smiled. “It’s quality over quantity.” He eyed the menu and Lore followed his gaze. The food available that day was written on paper in a beautiful, swirling script that had been secured to a board. “I’ll take two of the usuals today, please. I’m on duty.”

Xuong’s eyes flicked to Lore curiously. Lore, for her part, continued to quietly observe. She had never seen Asher so at ease. Even when he ate with the other guards in the dining hall, he was usually quiet and reserved.

“I had heard you’d been put on guard duty. Is she really one of them?” Xuong lowered her voice, though Lore could still hear her.

Lore braced herself to hear an insult or two, even though the Alytherian sounded more curious than anything.

Asher straightened. “Just the usual, Xuong. Thank you.”

“Relax! I’m not going to make your job any harder than it is.”She busied herself wrapping a few small food items with beeswax-lined paper. “I wonder why she’s here. There are so many rumors. You should hear some of them.”

Lore sensed that she was hoping Asher would take the bait and divulge the reason Lore was there. It seemed as if Xuong might trade in gossip as well as spicy curry.

“I’m sure I’ve heard them.” Asher slid a glance back to Lore.

Lore wished she could just go, though she knew she would be in trouble if she separated from her guard.

Asher continued, “I guarantee the real reason she is here is not nearly as interesting as the mildest rumor.”

“Well, that’s too bad. It’s been so long since anything exciting happened here.”

“As a part of the king’s army, I prefer it that way.”

Xuong laughed. “Ah, I suppose you would, you big bore. I miss the younger you, though. The one with the wild spirit before they made you a guard.”

“Mhmm.” Asher dropped a few coins onto the counter and picked up the wrapped pies. “Thanks, Xu. I’ll see you next time.”

“See you, Asher.” Xuong waved at Lore, a big grin on her face.

Lore didn’t know whether to smile back or not, so she just waved and turned on her heel, her insides all mixed up.

Lore wound through the crowd toward a collection of clothing stalls she’d spied earlier. It took Asher only a few moments to catch up to her, his long strides eating up the distance easily. With his uniform and the swords on his hips, he had an easier time navigating the tide of shoppers.

Asher pushed one of the beeswax wrappers into her hand. She brought the wrapping up to her nose and sniffed. Her stomach growled at the spiced scent wafting up at her. She unwrapped the layers and found five small, strange-looking delicacies. The dough was smooth and round on the bottom but pinched together at the top, keeping whatever the contents were tucked away inside.

She watched Asher as he picked one up and bit into it. He slurped a bit to make sure none of the juices escaped. Lore picked one up and bit into it as well.