“Yes. So much,” I managed, breathless at the prospect.
Tap’s smile widened. “Good. It’s a large city, I’m sure you can find anything you need. Bathroom goods, foods you like. I’m guessing any number of my sisters-in-law would take great joy in showing you the best parts of the markets. Once we get a method of concealing you arranged, of course.” He stepped toward the doorway. “I’m going to make sure Seir is settled in. Just let me know when you’re ready and we can leave.”
I picked up my bowl of fruit with renewed appetite, more excited than I’d been in a very long time.
It wasn’t until I was putting on the terrible coat I couldn’t wait to be rid of that I realized it wouldn’t matter where we went,or what I wanted to buy. I didn’t have anything to trade, nor any coin.
Tap picked up on my mood change as I approached the hall.
“Everything alright?” he asked.
“Fine.”
His brow wrinkled, and I glanced up to find Seir watching me, his head tilted to the side.
“I heard you may venture into Revalia with the ladies today?”
“Perhaps.” I forced a tight smile, but Seir was not buying it, and narrowed his eyes.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
He crossed his arms. “No need to be. Hailon knows all the best places, and if there’s something she can’t find for you, Grace or Calla will know exactly where to go.”
I nodded again, tears prickling. “That’s okay, I don’t need to go shopping.”
Tap frowned at me, confusion evident. “I thought?—”
“It’s not necessary to do all that today. I just want to see if someone can help make my tincture. That’s the most important thing.”
“I have confidence that Greta will have a solution for you, but what we discussed earlier?—”
“It’s fine, really. I don’t need anything.”
“Phin? I’m confused. Earlier you seemed so excited.”
Before I could open my mouth again, Seir interrupted us both. “Tap?”
“Just a minute?—”
“No, brother, this is important.” He stood in front of Tap, making sure his full attention was on him before speaking. “When was the last time your librarian received her wages?” He raised his eyebrows in emphasis, hands lightly gripping along Tap’s upper arms.
Tap froze and stared straight ahead, looking through Seir and into the vague dark shape of the wall far behind him. After a long moment he released a tight breath and strode off in the direction of the bedrooms.
“Wages?” I asked.
Seir clucked his tongue. “Saints. You’ll have to excuse him, sometimes his brain is going too many directions at once. All these doors, all these jobs… important details get missed.” He narrowed his eyes. “Have the groceries I’ve been bringing gotten used or are they being thrown out?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Has he been remembering to eat? Every day, maybe even more than once?” Seir’s eyes rounded, the concern for Tap in them on full display.
“Oh. Yes, he hasn’t missed a meal since I got here. In fact, he insists on doing nearly all the cooking. I’ve managed to get him to allow me to make a meal or clean up sometimes, but it took some work.”
“And linens and things, they’re changed regularly?”
“Yes, as far as I know.”
