“Nope. These are my in-laws. They are going to try and kill me, so I would rather not have potential hostages with me.”
Wylda smiled. “I could go with you.”
“No. I don’t want them to know your face. You did a good job with your name, but you can’t hide from me, Wylda. You never could. You suck at hide and seek.”
A bemused Cale handed over a bunch of garment bags. “They are labelled.”
“Wonderful. This will be my last visit here for others.”
“I look forward to working for you, miss?”
“Elodie. The summoned dark.”
“Elodie. It was an honour to meet you finally.”
“Oh, don’t peak too soon, Cale. Now, I am off to be a shit disturber. Ladies, happy shopping.” She bowed low, and shadows wrapped her tight. A moment later, she was gone.
Wylda looked at Cale. “So, that was my travel buddy. I must tell you, I am feeling remarkably more cheerful about my future right now. Can you let Delphine know that Elodie is here and my name is available again?” She said the last to Ambera.
“Of course. Why don’t you?”
“I don’t have her number.”
“Oh. Right.” Ambera texted and sent the message.
There were a handful of heartbeats, and the response came through, read out loud by Ambera. “Woo fuckin’ hoo. Tonight, we have s’mores!”
Ambera laughed. “Delphine loves s’mores, but she always tries to put the flaming marshmallow onto the crackers, and then she smashes the chocolate on and breaks it into molten goo.”
Cale smiled. “Cute childhood memory.”
“That was two weeks ago.” The proud mother smiled.
“Oh. Well, I suppose I have a lot to look forward to.”
Ambera gasped. “Is Sallen expecting?”
“She is.”
“Congratulations.”
A weird vibration went through the floor, and Wylda grinned. “Feels like Elodie has put her foot down.”
Cale looked at her and said, “Right. Back to choosing clothing.”
The vibration repeated a few times, and Wylda was giggling. It wasn’t her fault. She was ticklish.
Chapter Five
Elodie appeared in the middle of the light court with her armload of garment bags. She found her mother-in-law and walked over while the entire room was silent. She dropped the bags at the woman’s feet. “There you go. I quit.”
Her sister-in-law looked at her. “Halla, what are you saying? What has gotten into you?”
“Oh, I will no longer be serving your family. Ever. Not ever.”
A guard walked over and said, “You are causing a disturbance.”
“You betcha.” She glanced over at the high king of the light elves. “Morning, sir.”
