“How do you know?” He approached.
“I just do.” Vi shook her head, staring at the door that led to the main market of the Crossroads. It seemed so long ago that they’d purchased this place and she’d sculpted roses in honor of Fiera.
The sentimentality made her weary.
“Then today it is,” he said without a trace of doubt, slipping his fingers into hers. Vi faced him.
“I need to do this alone,” she whispered.
“You’ve never operated the shop alone.”
“I know.”
“What will you do about the illusions for your eyes? How will she believe you’re peering into the future without them to make your eyes glow red?”
“I’m not sure.” Vi shook her head, trying to shake off the creeping, crawling hands working their way up her spine. They’d grab hold of her mind and who knew when they would give it back. Her fingers tightened around his, holding onto Taavin like a tether. “Please, trust me,” she whispered.
“I do.” He cupped her cheek thoughtfully, bringing her eyes to his. “Immeasurably and completely.”
“Thank you.” She leaned forward, kissing his lips gently. “You and Deneya wait upstairs. I’ll come up when I’m finished.”
He nodded, his nose rubbing against hers. But he didn’t step away. “Is everything all right?”
“What?”
“You haven’t been the same since we left Solarin… Is everything all right?”
“I’ve been fine.” She rubbed his arm reassuringly. At least, she hoped that’s the impression she gave.
“Don’t lie to me.” He pulled away, staring down at her. “I see you.”
“You always have.” Vi looked back to the door. The market was setting up for the day. “I’ll be better once we have the final crystal weapon in hand.”
“Do you really think that?” he murmured under his breath.
“What?” Vi wasn’t sure she heard correctly.
“Nothing, it’s nothing.” Taavin smiled. “Good luck today.” He finally retreated.
Vi returned her attention to her preparations. She opened the shop for the day by unlocking the iron gate and pushing it aside.
“One more thing,” Vi murmured. She unhooked the chain from around her neck and slowly placed it into a box on one of the shelves. How Vhalla was supposed to see it, of all things, Vi didn’t know.
But this was how it was meant to be. Of that, she was certain.
There was nothing more to do but wait.
“Let’s look in here,” a man’s voice said in the afternoon near her doorway. The sound shot electricity up her spine and she stood straighter, pausing her pacing to look.
The curtain to the shop lifted and Vhalla appeared, followed by Daniel. Vi watched as the brown-haired woman entered the room, running her fingers over the cases at its center.
“Irashi, welcome.” The western tongue put her into character, and Vi sauntered over to Vhalla and Daniel. She leaned against the cases containing all manner of objects gathered for future telling. “Welcome to the finest curiosity shop in all the land. And what can I help you with today?”
“I think we’re just looking.” Vhalla stepped back, as though Vi was about to bite her.
“No one is ‘just looking.’ All desire.” Vi folded her arms. “Tell me, what is yours?”
“Sorry to disappoint. Let’s go, I’m hungry.” Vhalla grabbed Daniel’s arm, steering him to the door.
