“Good morning, sir!” the baker said as I walked in.
He didn't even flinch at my ensemble, and that made me grin. I loved people who didn't judge me by my looks. I mean, yeah, it was probably an accurate assessment, but still.
“Good morning,” I said to him as I pulled out my coin pouch. “It all looks wonderful. What's your favorite?”
The baker beamed at me. “The almond moons. They're flaky, buttery, and filled with sweet almond paste.”
“Then I'll try one of those, please. And do you have anything filled with cream? I love a cream filling.” I smirked at him.
He chuckled, proving I was right to like him. “I do indeed. Would you prefer something fried or baked? And chocolate, vanilla, cherry, lemon, or strawberry cream?”
“Dear Gods!” I exclaimed. “I think I've just fallen in love with you.”
The man burst out laughing—a booming sound that shook the chill right out of me. This was life. This freedom to stroll into a bakery and laugh with a stranger, then eat all the sweets I wanted. I doubted that I'd be so free if I had gone with the Sea King. No, he would have ruled my life because that's what kings do. And I would have let him because my cock would have insisted on it.
“I'll take a chocolate fried, a strawberry baked, and whatever you recommend for the third option.”
“Yes, sir!” The baker started popping pastries in a little box. “I think you'll very much enjoy a lemon cream fried cake along with these other flavors. It's filled with vanilla cream but topped with lemon curd.”
“Yum! How much do I owe you?”
“A copper apiece, but since you bought so many, the almond moon is a gift.”
I bowed to him. “Thank you for your generosity. It will not be forgotten.”
“You're very welcome, sir.” He handed me the box, and I handed him three coppers. “Are you a merchant?”
“I am indeed,” I said as I fished out the almond moon. “I'm from the Lu-Ken.”
“Ah! I've heard of your vessel. Very reputable indeed. And here I thought you might be a pirate.” He winked at me.
“And yet, you didn't balk at my patronage?” I lifted a brow, then bit into the moon . . . and groaned. “Oh, fuck! This is fabulous!”
The baker laughed. “Thank you. And no, I don't mind pirates. As long as they don't steal from me. And you know what? I've never known of a pirate who steals baked goods.”
I chuckled. “I think they would if you started exporting these things.”
He laughed again, that same soul-lifting laugh. “Thank you. You've made my day.”
“And you've brightened mine.” I waved the almond moon at him as I left.
Happier than I had been before, I strolled through the city, eating my breakfast as I went. People thought Neraky only ate raw seafood, but we eat any type of food. Some of us—and by“some” I mean me—especially loved sweets. I could eat them all day. And a good sweet could make me feel sweet.
I hummed a tune as I continued to eat. But then I came into view of the Lu-Ken. There was activity all over the deck. Activity like that could only mean one thing—we were pulling anchor. After only a day in port. The Captain must have gotten wind of a target.
I shoved the rest of my lemon cake into my mouth and ran for the gangplank.
“There he is!” someone shouted.
I waved as I got aboard. “I'm here!”
Whatever the Captain was after must have been a big target indeed because as soon as I was on deck, someone pulled the plank and stowed it. I hurried to my cabin to change and hide the remaining pastries from the crew. By the time I got back up to the main deck, we were already moving. I didn't have time to pine for the Sea King and lament the fact that I was sailing away from him. I had to help with the rigging.
But several minutes later, I did lift my head and stare back toward land, all three of my hearts racing. I could have sworn I had heard the roar of a dragon.
Chapter Five
“He did not!” Tai said.
