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Except for his shortened hair brushing his collar, Farrendel was dressed as an elf today, complete with his swords and elven-style clothing. She had decided to go with a warmer, Escarlish dress in the new, slimmer style of skirt that was becoming fashionable. She had trousers underneath the dress for added warmth, and both the trousers and the skirt hid the derringer she had strapped to her leg just above the top of her boot.

Not that they were expecting trouble, but she now appreciated the wisdom in being prepared. After all, Farrendel kept a portion of magic in the heart bond at all times in case either of them needed to use it in an emergency. She had gotten used to the constant crackle burning inside her chest.

Ahead, the large, red brick building of the Aldon Market filled an entire city block. A steady stream of people moved in and out of the doors, and Farrendel and Essie joined them, their guards keeping them in a bubble of space.

Finally, they stepped inside, and the warmth inside the building washed over Essie’s face, stinging against cheeks that had gone numb with the cold outside even on the sunny day they were experiencing.

The lower floor held all the normal booths arranged in long rows with spacious aisles for the crowds to meander. An upper floor covered the back half of the building while the front half remained open all the way to the glass and steel trusses that formed the ceiling of the market. This upper floor was often filled with artists and painters displaying their wares or taking commissions.

But, for this weekend, it had been rented by Hanford University for a magical engineering fair they were hosting to show off new inventions by past students, showcase projects of current students, and recruit new students who might be interested after seeing the displays.

Farrendel’s grip tightened on her hand as he set off at a brisk pace once again. “Lance said he would be here first thing in the morning, and he is going to introduce me to the professor who mentored him at the university. He thinks this professor would be willing to work with me, if I decide to enroll, since I would need a customized program thanks to my elven magic and duties in both Escarland and Tarenhiel.”

Essie smiled as she trotted once again to keep up with him. When was the last time she had seen Farrendel this excited? He just about chattered her ear off that morning.

But she did not mind listening for a change. Not when Farrendel was this happy. He kept sayingifbut she could tell. It was reallywhenhe enrolled. Adding university classes would make their lives even more complicated, but they would make it work.

Farrendel took the stairs two at a time, and Essie laughed under her breath as she struggled to keep up. She could imagine Weylind shaking his head in bewilderment if he saw Farrendel now.

When they reached the top, another set of booths and tables met them. These were filled with bunches of gadgets and gears and glowing magical power cells. University professors wearing black, official-looking robes strolled from table to table while students leaned forward to explain their project or invention. Regular Escarlish citizens wandered from display to display to marvel at the inventions that could eventually change their lives.

Averett would be coming later to make an official speech about inventions and progress and whatnot, but Farrendel had been bouncing off the walls since before daybreak. He was not about to wait until that evening.

“Prince Farrendel! Princess Essie!” Lance waved from his place behind one of the first tables. It was a sign of how much he was respected that his table and display was placed in such a prominent position. A black-robed professor, his brown hair flecked with gray and smile lines marking his face, stood near Lance’s table.

Essie placed her free hand on Farrendel’s arm, her tight grip holding him back from racing across the space.

He glanced down at her before he lifted his gaze back to Lance. His stride turned into something more sedate and princely, thanks to her silent cue.

When they reached the table, both Lance and the professor bowed before Lance gestured. “Prince Farrendel, Princess Essie, this is Professor Harrington.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you both, especially you, Prince Farrendel. I have heard a lot about your magic from Mr. Marion.” Professor Harrington’s gaze flicked over Farrendel, as if searching for visible signs of Farrendel’s power. After a moment, he turned back to Lance. “You said that you had an invention you would show me when Prince Farrendel arrived?”

“Not so much as an invention but a power cell.” Lance reached under the table, which was covered with a black cloth draping all the way to the floor. After a moment, he set one of the power cells filled with Farrendel’s blue, crackling magic on the table.

This power cell was only about the size of his palm, far smaller than any other magical power cell Essie had ever seen. It was metal and glass in the center, but stone capped each of the ends with metal wires protruding through.

Professor Harrington picked up the power cell, turning it over in his hands. His forehead furrowed and deep grooves cut into either side of his mouth as he studied it.

Farrendel leaned closer to Essie, his fingers tight on hers. Through the heart bond, she could sense his excitement from earlier churning into nerves as he watched the professor assess his and Lance’s work.

You will be fine. He will be impressed.She sent those thoughts in Farrendel’s direction through the heart bond. Even though he would not hear the actual words, the sense of them would echo through their bond.

“This is good work.” Professor Harrington gave a sharp nod, peering first at Lance, then at Farrendel. “This is your magic? What is this power cell capable of powering?”

While Farrendel nodded, Lance launched into a technical explanation about magical sensors and power levels and stuff that was gibberish to Essie.

This was her cue to leave. She was prepared to be a supportive wife when it came to Farrendel’s growing interest in magical engineering, but if she stayed standing there, Farrendel would look to her to do the talking, and this was something he needed to do himself.

Standing on her tiptoes, Essie kissed Farrendel’s cheek. “Have fun. I’m going to wander for a while.”

Farrendel gave her a nod, though his gaze only flicked to her for a moment before latching back on Lance.

Behind her, Captain Merrick was quietly murmuring, dividing the guards. As the guards moved into position, Essie set off among the tables of inventions. She peered at a few of them, giving compliments and listening to some of the short explanations. She took enough time so that she wouldn’t appear rude, but she didn’t linger. She would do more of that in the evening when she came back with Averett and Farrendel for the royal family’s official visit to the fair.

Once she had spent sufficient time in the upper story, she made her way down to the shops on the main floor, Captain Merrick and the guards he had chosen to go with him to guard her leading the way or trailing behind in their assigned positions.

Her first stop was the booth that sold Farrendel’s favorite hot chocolate mix. She and Farrendel had tested many of the hot chocolate flavors and mixes offered at the shops and booths, and the double chocolate supreme they had tried on their first time in the Aldon Market was still their favorite.