Page 25 of Shatter the Dark

I removed my hand, shaking away the last dregs of magic that tingled in my fingertips. It took a moment for the pins and needles to fade, but I glanced up at the towering fern with a feeling of pride.

“That’s how moving a source of magic from one place to another is supposed to work.” I fixed Cora with a sarcastic smile. “Assuming you have a proper source.”

Bowen’s gaze found mine, and I experienced a strange flutter in my chest. He was impressed. Crossing to the window, he took my arm and traced the path the vines had made with his fingers. His touch created a little sizzle across my skin that had nothing to do with any lingering magic.

“Does it hurt when you do that?” he asked.

“It depends. Plant magic kind of tickles.”

“Are you satisfied now, Cora?” Bowen squeezed my hand and led me back to the counter.

Cora sniffed the air and took out her ledger, flipping to an empty page. “What are you looking to purchase?”

“Blue flame crystals,” I said, watching as she made a notation in her log.

“It will take me a couple of days, but it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll let you know when they’re in stock.”

“Pleasure doing business with you.” I winked, and her nose twitched in an effort to contain a snarl. Bowen offered her a small pouch of coins, promising the rest of her fee once the crystals arrived.

We left the shop and made our way back down the staircase. I could barely contain my laughter as I stepped out into the alley.

“Did you see her face when that fern shot to the ceiling? I thought she was going to lose it.”

Bowen chuckled. “Cora doesn’t like to be proven wrong. You’re lucky she gave you a packet of seeds on the second try. That woman’s vengeful.”

“Well, so am I.”

“Don’t I know it.” He grinned and went to untie the horses, but I placed a hand on his arm, stalling him. It felt good to be back in my old stomping ground, and I wasn’t ready to leave yet.

“You know,” I hedged, “as the winner in our duel yesterday, you haven’t asked me yet what I want as my prize.”

“Your prize?” He almost choked on the question.

“Well, yeah. To the winner goes the spoils. And I won fair and square.”

“That’s debatable.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, glancing around the empty alley. “What did you have in mind? I’m a busy man. I have a—”

“Yes, I know, you have a schedule to keep. Whatever that means. I have yet to witness this elusive schedule. Buy me a drink in the tavern at the end of the street.”

“Liana…no. I don’t go to those types of public places.”

“Why not?” I sputtered. “You’re practically a legend. You know, they tell stories about you around the firepit in my village. That’s what I want. I want to hear one of your stories in a tavern, holding a mug of ale, like a normal person.”

His eyebrows drew together in a quizzical look. Probably from my use of the term “normal person.” As far as he was concerned, I was as normal as they come. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

An internal debate raged before he finally tugged the hood of his cloak over his head, effectively hiding his features. “One drink.”

“Two.”

“Don’t push your luck,” he grumbled, leading me down the alley toward the tavern.

Chapter 11

Liana

The tavern was more crowded than I expected. Patrons tossed back mugs of ale and picked from plates of sizzling meats. Their raucous conversation and laughter echoed into the rafters. No one paid us any attention when we entered, except for the barkeep, who seemed to recognize Bowen even with his hood hiding his features.

A look passed between them. Bowen held up two fingers, signaling our drinks, and the barkeep angled his head toward a staircase that led to a loft. With his hand at my back, Bowen guided me up the stairs into the empty loft. We took a seat at a table overlooking the tavern, and I leaned forward against the wooden rail like a spectator watching a rowdy show.