“Morning, Brains,” I whisper. “We’re here.”
Her lavender eyes flutter open, unfocused for a moment before she realizes where we are. “Oh,” she breathes. “Already?”
I nod, watching the sunlight catch on her perfectly messy hair. “Yeah,” I say softly. “You slept through the night.”
Her cheeks go a little pink as she straightens her hat and glasses. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”
I shrug, grinning down at her. “I didn’t mind.” I brush a loose strand of hair from her cheek. “You can fall asleep on me anytime.”
She ducks her head, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips.
The carriage slows as it enters the village square, the horses’ hooves clopping over stone. The driver calls a good morning to a baker setting out trays of steaming bread.
Poppy’s eyes light up when she looks out the window. “Fresh bread,” she says, and now it’sherstomach that rumbles with hunger.
I laugh, leaning back against the seat. “First things first: Let’s eat.”
Chapter 24
Poppy
THE GOLDEN LANTERN SITS NESTLED along Faunwood’s main square, its weathered stone walls covered in climbing ivy that’s turned brilliant shades of red and orange. A hand-painted sign swings gently in the morning breeze, depicting a glowing lantern surrounded by leaves.
The carriage comes to a stop, and Aric is out first, offering me his hand to help me down. I take it gratefully and ease out of the carriage and into the cool morning air. My legs are stiff from the long journey, and I’mdeeplyaware of how rumpled I must look—my skirt is wrinkled, and my hair is probably a tangled disaster under my knit hat.
But when I glance up at Aric, he’s looking at me like I’m a sunny day after a long winter, travel-worn appearance and all.
I can’t believe I fell asleep on him last night.
“Come on,” he says, grabbing our bags from the carriage like they weigh nothing. “Let’s get you some breakfast.”
We climb the stairs to the inn’s front door, and I pause to lift a thankful hand to the driver as the carriage starts away. When I turn back around, Aric has the door propped open, a soft smile on his face.
“Thanks,” I say as I slip by, noticing the warmth he puts off as I brush past him.
“Anything for you, Brains,” he says as he steps in behind me.
The inn’s interior is cozy and welcoming, with exposed wooden beams across the ceiling and a stone fireplace crackling in the spacious sitting room, chasing the early-morning chill away. The smell of fresh bread and herbs fills the air, making my stomach growl loudly—again. Aric chuckles, and I feel my cheeks go pink.
An older woman with silver-streaked hair looks up from behind the front desk, her face breaking into a warm smile at the sight of me. “You must be Miss Waverly. Selene sent word you’d be arriving this morning. I’m Margaret Bluewren, the innkeeper. Welcome to the Golden Lantern.”
“Thank you,” I say, returning her smile. Then I glance toward Aric, who’s now towering over my shoulder. “This is Aric Vandermere. He’s... traveling with me.”
“Of course, of course.” Mrs. Bluewren nods to Aric, then turns back to me. “I do hope the one room will still suffice?”
I bite my lip, feeling Aric’s focus on me over my shoulder. “Um, actually, do you have two? I-I’m happy to pay for it.” I don’t want to inconvenience Professor Silvermoon.
Mrs. Bluewren’s face falls.
“Unfortunately, all our other rooms are full. We had afamily come through unexpectedly last night—a broken wagon wheel on the road—and they needed lodging. We only have the one room available at the moment.”
The words take a moment to sink in.One room.
“Oh,” I say, my voice coming out smaller than I intended. “I . . . That’s . . .”
One room. With Aric. All night.
The inn suddenly feels stifling.
