Page 74 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

SABINE

I sit in the café alone, as I often do these days, watching the world pass by outside the window. Alex gave me the afternoon off, as he’s working with only the chorus right now, and Frederick is visiting his mother.

The rehearsal schedule is grueling, with long days and plenty of frazzled nerves. I’m exhausted, and my throat is scratchy since I heal as slowly as a human now. But for the first time in my life, I’m at peace.

“Tea with lemon and honey, dear,” Marie says warmly, setting the cup and saucer in front of me. “And one of my blueberry scones because it looked like you could use a little something sweet.”

I turn from the window, smiling at the proprietor of the café. “You spoil me, Marie.”

She affectionately pats my shoulder and then moves to the next table. The gesture comes easy to her—giving warmth and taking special care of her chosen people. Alex is one of them. Somehow, I’ve become one too.

As I sip my tea, I’m struck with a heavy bout of melancholy. My eyes gloss, and I blink quickly.

I’ve only been in Davon for three weeks, and I already can’t imagine returning home. Life is busy here, but it’s simpler. Humans can lie, and they certainly do, but I don’t feel I must examine everything they say for half-truths. No one watches me for weaknesses or compares me to my mother.

I’m comfortable here…and that’s concerning. It’s going to be all that much more difficult to return home.

“Marie made scones today?” Alex says from behind me before he sinks into the chair across the table.

I swat his hand as he steals a piece. “Get your own.”

He laughs, waving to Marie when she spots him, and then sits back with a tired groan.

“You finished the rehearsal early,” I say.

“I let them go home. Everyone was tired and snippy, and we weren’t getting anywhere.” He sits up. “Are you enjoying your afternoon off?”

“I haven’t done much. I thought about going to the public gardens, but with Frederick gone, I’d have to take a public coach.” I wrinkle my nose, thinking about what it would be like to meet Mr. Cumberland without my magic.

Alex frowns as he rubs the back of his shoulder. “Do you and Frederick visit the gardens often?”

“On most of my free afternoons.” I take a sip of tea as I gauge his reaction. “The city is beautiful, but I get edgy if I’m away from nature for too long.”

His gaze falls to the table. “I’m glad Frederick takes you. I’ve been busy these last few weeks.”

“The show needs you, director.” I smile as I study him. “But you seem to be free now.”

Alex looks up, his tired eyes meeting mine. He looks surprised, maybe a little cautious as well. “You want me to take you to the gardens?”

“If you’d like.”

Dryly, he asks, “You wouldn’t prefer Frederick’s company?”

“Well, certainly,” I say lightly, “but he’s not here, is he?”

Alex laughs, shaking his head.

I finish my tea, letting Alex eat most of the scone, and then we walk back to the hotel together.

It’s another hot day, and I fan my face while we wait for his coachman to bring the carriage around the front.

“I returned to Davon in the middle of winter,” Alex says, noticing my discomfort. “After spending a year in moderate temperatures, I thought I was going to freeze. You get used to the extremes eventually.”

I give him a sideways look. “I’ll take your word for it.”

He chuckles as the carriage arrives, opening the door and allowing me to enter first. It’s cooler inside, likely because it was parked in the shaded carriage house, and the drive to the gardens is more pleasant than the walk back from the café.

Soon we’re strolling through the entrance gates, leaving the coachman with the others who wait for their patrons to return.