Slayton shrugged as they started back toward the bakery. “He’s always been like that. At least as long as I’ve known him.”
“No, he hasn’t,” Violet argued, feeling defensive. “Serious? Yes, but never moody. He’s actually really fun once you get to know him.”
“Violet and Roman used to be best buddies when we were younger,” Griff told Slayton. “They’d get in trouble for laughing in the back of class.”
Violet smiled to herself, remembering the silly notes they’d send back and forth, and she couldn’t help but miss their friendship, even before her pesky heart leapt from her chest into his hands.
Maybe now that they were older they could.
Maybe.
* * *
A few weeks later, Violet fastened Ares’ leather training shirt and moved back to examine her work. “What do you think?”
He inspected the absorbent panel she’d added to the outside forearm area of his sleeves and smiled. “It’s perfect. Sorry I wore out the last one.” He dug into his pocket and handed her a few coins.
Over the last year, Violet had created a profitable business altering and customizing the guards’ fighting leathers, amongst other things. With the queen’s permission, Violet’s father helped her set up a tent near the training arena, and from there, things took off.
Her most requested item was a thick, absorbent cloth sewn to the forearm panel to wipe the sweat from their faces. Apparently, swiping leather across dirty, sticky skin was uncomfortable, and after hearing Griff complain a million times, she’d fixed the issue for him. Before long, warriors were approaching her, asking her to do the same for them.
It allowed her to cut back her hours at the dress shop in town. She made enough to quit the dress shop altogether, but Maggie, the owner, had been all over Eden and knew everything there was to know about the fashion and techniques of the other kingdoms. Each kingdom had vastly different tastes due to the varying climates.
Lydia’s move to the Garden Kingdom had sparked a fresh desire in Violet to follow in her boss’ footsteps, but Maggie said it had taken her almost two years. Traveling Eden itself didn’t take years, but staying in each kingdom long enough to learn their ways took time. Violet didn’t think she could handle being away from her family and friends that long, so the next best thing was Maggie.
Violet deposited the money into her bag and waved in the next person. A tall, handsome man with curly brown hair, sun-kissed skin, and bright green eyes stepped inside. He stood a little over six feet tall and had a lean, well-built frame, and her breath caught when their gazes collided.
The handsome man stared at her with parted lips as his eyes roamed over her face. The two stared at each other for an eternity before Violet snapped out of it.
“Hello.” She scanned his clothes, noting the lack of leathers. “Are you a warrior?” She couldn’t tell. This man had a warrior’s build, but warriors wore fighting leathers during training, and this man wore a simple linen shirt tucked into dark brown trousers.
He walked farther inside her little tent and extended his hand. “Titus. I’m the new weapons master.” He ate up her appearance as if she was an anomaly he’d never seen before.
Violet tentatively took his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Forgive me,” he apologized. “No one warned me the battalion seamstress was beautiful. You took me off guard.”
She scrunched her nose at his terrible attempt at flirting. “Does that work on many women?”
He laughed and shook his head. “Not yet. Did it work on you?”
“No.” She beamed. “But I’m flattered all the same. What can I help you with today?”
He held out a black jacket and pointed at the pocket. “My jacket is torn.”
“Ahh.” She accepted the garment and inspected the hole. “Do you carry sharp tools in here?”
Titus smiled sheepishly. “Yes.”
She tsked and folded the jacket. “You could cut yourself, you know.”
“It’s a terrible habit,” he agreed. “One I’m suddenly glad I haven’t been able to break.”
She bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a grin. “I can line the pockets with leather to protect the cloth from tearing in the future.”
His lips pulled into a slow smile. “Prettyandsmart.”
“Your lines are getting better,” she praised with a light laugh, making his smile grow. “I can have this finished by tomorrow morning. Will that work?”
