Page 26

Chapter 26

Tully

I take a seat in Two Cats Bakery. The crowd is light at the moment since it’s lunch break and most like to eat a bigger meal at home, the tavern, the inn, or the pub. The bakery will get busy again at tea time, nearly as stuffed as it is in the mornings. Maplecats snooze on top of the bookshelf by the front window, under the display case of pastries, and in several unoccupied chairs. I pat my lap and one big beauty obliges me by hopping into my lap. I stroke the cat’s leafy, velvety pelt, and a purr starts up, making the kitty’s weighty warmth vibrate against my legs.

Kaya pours me a cup of hot cinnamon tea with absolute gob tons of honey—just how I like it. “I heard about what you’re doing.”

She sets down a small plate of orange zest scones and I have one halfway down my gullet before she can join me at the table.

“Love the new icing,” I say around a mouthful.

“Thank you. I used clove.”

“Perfect.” I take another because they’re really very tiny.

Kaya grins at my delighted munching and slides a handful of gold my way. I choke on my scone and she gets up to pat me on the back until I’m able to breathe again.

“That’s too much, Kaya. You don’t even know what I’m using the money for.”

“You have never once in your entire life asked anyone for anything like this.”

“So?”

“So your reason must be a good one. I trust you, Tully.”

“You probably shouldn’t.”

“Too bad. I do.” She crosses her arms and gives me a haughty little grin.

I chuckle and take the coin. “You’re sure? You said you needed a new mixer mechanism and a full-time employee.” I lean close, and the cat’s purring rumbles against my stomach. “This has to be your whole savings unless you’re some lost princess and you’ve been holding out on us.”

Kaya’s dimpled cheeks lift as she laughs and she dusts a bit of flour from her chin. “There’s always more money to make, right? I’ll be fine.”

“If you say so. I do promise that it’s for a good cause.”

“You might be turning into a solidly sweet person, Tully.”

I hiss at her and show her my teeth. The maplecat leaps from my lap. “Never.”

Kaya shakes her head, eats one of her scones, then stands to leave. “Rom told me that Laini is coming by, so you can save yourself a trip to her place.”

“What’s she up to?”

“Bringing the widow in for a treat.”

“That’s a fine thing to do.”

“She said you inspired her by fixing up the widow’s garden.”

I wave her off. “I always do that because I like veg even in the winter months. That’s a selfish endeavor.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” I scowl at her as she returns to the countertop to sell more pastries.

My tea is piping hot and perfect. I inhale the spicy scent, and Argos crosses my mind for the thousandth time today. As I put Kaya’s donation into the satchel beside my chair, I can’t help but wonder how he’s faring with the khymeia and his invention by the river.

“Good day, Scarlet!”

It’s Widow Warton hanging on Laini’s arm like her life depends on the support. It might be on a cold morning like this and her as old as she is. Even half vampire, half pixies eventually give up the ghost.

I turn and stand to give the widow my chair. “Sit, now. I’ve had too many of these things, so you’ll have to finish the plate for me.” Sliding the scones so they’re right within her reach, I smile at Laini.

Laini helps Widow scoot her chair in to her specifications.

“Damned place has a draft. I knew it would.”

I grab my tea and press it into her hands. “This will warm you up until Kaya has a second to serve you.”

“You always take such good care of me, Scarlet.”

Laini bites her lip to hold in a laugh, then mouths my nickname, Scarlet . I snap my teeth at her and she laughs fully then, pulling her hand away just in time.

When Kaya returns to take the widow’s order, Laini slips me a small sack of coins. “This is from Rom and me.”

I take my satchel from the floor near the chair and tuck the sack inside with the rest of the money. Looping the bag over my head, I nod.

“It’s good of you, Laini. Thank you. Thank Romulus, too.”

“Will do.”

“You don’t want to pry answers out of me?” I ask. “We are close enough for you to press me on things, you know.” I feel awkward saying something so full of feelings out loud, but I owe her and she just loves feelings.

The memory of me telling Argos how I feel trips through my mind’s eye. I chew my lip. I really hope he is as great as I think he is. Giving him back the khymeia didn’t feel like a risk when I did it, but now…

What if I’m a buffoon for love just like all the other ninnies in the world?

“What are you plotting?” Laini asks. “And I’m not talking about the money. Something else just went through your head.”

“You sure you don’t have witch’s blood?”

She snickers. “I wish.”

“Of course, you do,” I say, grinning. “I told Argos that I love him,” I whisper.

Laini’s mouth falls open, but she recovers quickly. “Tully.” She squeezes me tightly and then looks me in the eye. “I’m so happy for you.”

“So you agree that he’s not the horse’s arse I thought he was originally?”

“I do. He’s proven himself.”

“He has.”

I hug her, and she jolts with surprise before tightening her arms around me. It’s not half bad to have real friends and a lover who might end up being my true mate. I suppose if I do end up hurt—as Grandwitch always warned me about feelings—at least I will have had a lovely time before the pain.