“One room, please. With one bed.”
I placed the silvers into her open palm. She slid a silver key across the table. “One room it is. You’ll be in the orange room closer to the water. Enjoy your stay, let us know if you need anything. Breakfast tomorrow is tomato fish tarts.”
I snatched the key and glanced guiltily over my shoulder. “Fish tarts. Right. Thank you.”
My heartbeat kicked up in my chest and my ears twitched with whatever tangled emotions I was feeling. I strode to where Kizzi stood, exchanging a few coins for the plant she was holding. I hoisted my bag over my shoulder and showed Kizzi the key. “Got us a room,” I said nervously.
She tilted her head. “Only one? Are they full too?”
I nodded hastily. “They are, yes. Full. This is the last room left.” My voice came out higher pitched than it should have. I cleared my throat.
The merchant furrowed his brows and started to speak but I interrupted him before he could get any words out. “Thank you for the plant, sir! I’m sure this lady here will take great care of it.”
I grabbed Kizzi’s elbow and gently guided her in the direction of the rooms. “Weird,” she mused. “It doesn’t look nearly as crowded here. And they only had one room?”
I coughed awkwardly. “Yes, they had an incident in some of the rooms. Very gross, very smelly. This is the only one available.”
She just shrugged her shoulders, not seeming to mind too much. “Well, that’s that then.” She glanced at me guiltily. “I swear I won’t attack you this time.”
I laughed, but it didn’t sound right. “I would be honored if you did.”
She flushed, all the way to her ears.
CHAPTER 23
Kizzi
Rune’s home was something straight out of a storybook. It was perched beside the water, with dunes and palm trees at its back, and it was as picturesque as a cottage could possibly be. Even scattered with signs of little ones, toys and art projects strewn about, it was adorable.
Rune’s mate, too, was a pleasant eyeful. He was a fae, I thought, with a stocky build and pointed ears. Garren, his name was. He was draped in the light flowy style of clothing that was popular in the beach town. It was surprisingly comfortable—I had purchased myself a new outfit at the market after settling at the inn.
Tandor and I were seated at the family’s dinner table as if we belonged there. Technically, Tandor did belong, but I was an outsider, and they accepted me with open arms. It was enough to tighten my throat and make the backsides of my eyes prickle.
Dishes were passed around the table. Some of the foods were familiar, things I had tried before, but some of them were new. The scent of herbs and broiled vegetables permeated the air, assuring me that whatever the foods were, they were sure to be delicious.
I loaded my plate up with a scoop of red rice, some grilled meat, and a healthy serving of the vegetable dish. Fresh baked bread was served on the side, still steaming from the oven. My mouth watered.
“So, Kizzi, do you have any plans for Hallow’s Eve? It’s right around the corner. Two weeks away, right?” Rune asked as she helped her little ones fill their plates.
I nodded as I swallowed a mouthful of rice. It was so delicious my toes nearly curled. “Yes, actually. Hallow’s Eve is a big deal for the Moonvale witches. My coven performs quite a few rituals.”
She looked intrigued. “I thought you were a witch, but I didn’t want to assume. You radiate magical energy. I’ve had quite a few friends who were witches. What kind of rituals?”
I glanced at the little ones. “Some are hard to explain. But we celebrate the year, thank the Old Gods for blessing us with magic, ask for continued use of magic, that sort of thing. The veil is the thinnest on Hallow’s Eve.”
Garren chimed in, “The fae celebrate the year as well, but we do so a little differently. There’s usually a feast, as well as a party.”
Tandor nodded his head. “Same with orcs. We celebrate our wilder tendencies.”
A tiny voice chimed in—Cely, Rune and Garren’s daughter. “Are we making cookies?”
Garren snorted. “Of course we are, Cely bug. Cookies are essential for a successful Hallow’s Eve.”
“Almond and brown sugar?” Tandor asked.
Rune nodded with a smile. “Only the best cookie in the entire realm.”
Tandor nodded with a dreamy look on his face. “I remember those. It’s been ages since I’ve had one.”
