Cyn stiffened.
I shot him a quelling look, then asked, “How much?”
“Two coppers for six.”
“Whoa.”
“Yes, I know, but you can't find them anywhere in winter.”
“Only in the royal greenhouses?” I shot back.
Jed shrugged. “They have more than enough. But I have to pay the thief.”
“I get it.” I handed over four coppers. “We'll take the strawberries and the oranges.”
Jed grinned. “I keep them for my best customers.” He winked at me as he brought a tray of plump, red berries out from beneath his table and carefully set six atop the oranges in my bag. “Thank you.” He took the coppers as he handed my fruit over. “Enjoy them.”
“We will.” I took the bag. “Thanks, Jed.”
As we walked away, I glanced at Cyn. He wasn't fuming as I expected. Instead, he frowned in thought.
I offered him the bag. “Strawberry?”
Cyn snorted and took one. Then he bit into it and groaned. “Why does this taste better here?”
“Stolen fruit is always sweeter.” I grinned.
“Have you ever stolen from my gardens?” He only sounded curious.
“No, I don't deal in produce. Not a big enough reward for the risk.”
Cyn snorted again and reached for another berry.
“Hey! These are expensive! We need to savor them.” I jerked the bag away, folded the top, then slipped it into the net bag he was using to cart our groceries, safe under his cloak.
The King grinned. “I will buy you all the strawberries you want, Ru.”
“You know,” I drawled and nudged him with my shoulder, “bribery will get you everywhere with a thief.”
“Oh? In that case, I have several greenhouses full of produce.” He leaned close to add, “Stick with me and you can have anything within them.”
I softened my tone to say, “I think we both know I'm not in it for the fruit.” I held Cyn's tender stare a moment before saying, “But I'll take it. I'll take everything you want to give me.”
His snort was sardonic this time. “I expect you'll take far more than that.”
“Aw, you really do know me.”
Cyn chuckled, then he sniffed the air. “Coffee! I need a cup.”
“All your talk of giving, and yet it's me who has been satisfying your needs.” I led him toward the coffee vendor.
“I haven't been satisfying you?” he teased.
“Well . . .”
“Oh, you will pay for that.”
“Speaking of paying, I don't have any mugs with me, so we'll have to buy one from the coffee seller. Is that all right? It's your money, after all.”
