Page 17

Chapter 17

Cyrus

I can’t go to bed now. I’m too riled up. What was that with my fire? I’ve never done that wall thing before now and I must assume it’s due to my feelings for Kaya. My very much not just friendship feelings for her.

That kiss…

Blessed Stones save me, but that was amazing. Her sweet lips on mine, her body pliant and soft with desire in my arms.

I find myself on the bench that sits diagonally across the market from Kaya’s bakery. Rom’s tower blocks Kaya’s front window from view, but the front door of Two Cats Bakery is easy to watch even in the dark. Rustion has held off the lighting of the tall gaslamps for this season. He says oil prices have gone up, and unless it’s a festival night, we can deal with the dark.

I curl my tail around the back leg of the bench and spread my wings slightly so I can lean back on the wall of the town's tools storage building. I guess I’m watching to make sure that damned wool merchant doesn’t return and attempt to put his filthy hands on Kaya. Heat surges through my body, and I realize I’m digging my talons into the bench’s old, soft wood. I release my death grip on the slats and take a deep breath.

Kaya was right to push me away—metaphorically—after our kiss. She deserves better than me. But there’s no chance I can get myself to wish that kiss didn’t happen. It was the best moment of my life. I can hold myself at arm’s distance from Kaya until our friendship goes back to its balanced state again.

At least, I think I can.

The wild dragon inside me roars and sends fire through my chest and throat at the thought of sitting back and watching her find a life partner that isn’t me. I shut my eyes and will my fire magic to calm, to sleep. Once I have myself under control, I set my gaze on Kaya’s door again.

Before dawn, I hurry back toward my pub. I don’t want Kaya to know I was keeping watch on her place. It would seem suffocating to her, I’m sure.

Betilda is waiting outside the pub when I get there. “Blessed Stones, Cyrus, where have you been?” She looks me up and down while I unlock the door.

I like the orc female, so I don’t mind her nosing into my business. But I’m not going to tell her the truth.

“Where do you think?” I wink and give her a suggestive flick of my tail.

She puts a hand on her chest and sighs. “Oh, of course. Cyrus the lover. If only I was a decade younger. I’d make my move, you can be sure.”

I chuckle and set a peck on her green cheek as I pass her and enter the front room. The chairs are stacked on the tables, the floor has been swept clean, and the bar top and drink preparation area is tidy with everything where it should be. Trustan has left me a note about low stock on potatoes and spring wine.

Betilda leans on the bar, and her perfume wafts across my face.

“How can I help you, Betilda?”

“I’m on the May Day Festival committee this year. You might have heard that, aye?”

“I did.” I open the till and remove the larger coins, stashing them in a bag at my belt. I’ll put them in the vault later. “How can I help?”

“I was wondering if you would work a shift at a kissing booth.”

I look up and can’t stop myself from grimacing. “I don’t love that idea.”

“I know. I know. But you’re the hottest ticket in town, and you know it.”

“True.” I grin and preen, but it’s an act. Years ago, I would have agreed in a heartbeat, but now the only one I want to kiss is Kaya.

“And the booth’s income will all go to charity,” Betilda says.

“Oh?” That makes this harder to refuse.

“Aye, yes. All the coin you earn at the festival will go to build a new orphanage. Our darling lord mayor has agreed to match whatever you bring in.”

“That is generous.”

Betilda nods and rolls one of her many cheap rings around her large forefinger. “You only need to do it for an hour or so.”

“Will someone else be taking over after my shift?”

“Possibly. We haven’t organized a list yet.”

“All right. I’ll do it. But only because it’s for the orphans.”

A number of human orphans had been drawn to Leafshire Cove from the human realm. Young curiosity played a role in that, most likely, but also it was widely known that Veil creatures are kinder to young without homes than most humans are. Not all, of course, but most.

“Thank you so much, Cyrus. Is it too early for a drink? Just something light. That fruit wine you had on the menu last spring, maybe?”

“They call it sangria in the human world. I don’t think it’s too early. The sun isn’t up yet, so in many ways it’s still last night!”

She guffaws, and I pour her out a small cup of the dark pink beverage. I made it with mint, lemons, strawberries, and dessert wine.

We share a chat on the weather—the most popular topic in Leafshire Cove—and the sweet and bright taste of the sangria almost cheers me up. It is going to take a lifetime for me to get over Kaya, but I’m good at pretending. I can act like a simple friend and keep her close by. Not too close, but …

Betilda sets her cup down and gets up from her stool. “… and if the rain comes during the festival, it will only make everything more exciting, right?”

I missed the first part of what she was saying, but I reply vaguely as she sashays toward the door. “Definitely. See you soon.”

She waves over her shoulder.

The minute the door shuts behind her, my mind goes back to Kaya. I’m annoying myself with this obsession. She’s bringing her baked goods to Lady Egrettington today, and I truly hope all goes well.

Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to fly over the road to Kingstown and check that Kaya is all right. Just a quick peek through the forest.