She looks at Rowan first.
“High Warden,” she greets him, dipping her chin, then turning to Kael and giving him the same respect. Then her gaze moves to me.
She stills, blinking at me.
“You’ve been near old soil,” she says. I glance at Rowan, unsure how to respond.
“I’ve been in the castle’s glasshouse,” I say.
“Strange,” is all she says. The two knights share a glance, Rowan shifting his posture beside me. “What can I help you with today?” she asks, her smile returning.
“Oh… nothing. I really liked the look of your shop,” I say. She gives me a small nod. Kael chuckles in the back.
“Well, since we’re here, do you have any herbs that’ll make someone less grumpy?”
“Kael, I’m standing right here,” Rowan cuts him off.
The woman just smiles slowly, “For tempers?” she says. “No. Unfortunately not.” She reaches beneath the counter and retrieves a small glass vial.
“But I have truthbind,” she says as Kael lets out an excited sound, clapping his hands together. Rowan simply huffs with a shake of his head.
“What’s truthbind?” I ask. The woman looks at Rowan with a confused expression before turning to me. She holds out a small amber bead.
“Chew it, and for ten minutes you won’t be able to tell a single lie.”
Kael laughs, “I’m in.” Before Rowan can even stop him, he’s already put one into his mouth.
Smirking, I decide to test it.
“Kael,” I say, casting a glance at Rowan with a devious expression. “Is the bread actually that good?”
Kael opens his mouth to answer with confidence, but the words come out as if they are not his own.
“No. I do it to annoy Rowan.”
Rowan smirks, shaking his head as Kael gives me a betrayed look.
“Okay. Plant girl, your turn.”
“Absolutely not,” Rowan says flatly, but Kael ignores him, turning to the herbalist.
“Another, please,” he says, handing her some silver coins. She tips a second amber droplet into her palm and offers it to me. I hesitate slightly before shrugging and popping it into my mouth. It tastes faintly sweet, a mixture of peach and orange. Rowan goes rigid beside me.
Kael grins, “Tell me you didn’t enjoy your horse ride with the Warden.” My cheeks instantly flush red.
“No,” I say, steadying my voice. “I enjoyed it.” Kael laughs with a satisfied smile.
“That was too easy,” he says. Rowan steps forward, closer than before.
“Do you know how you got through the gate to Greyhollow?” The room goes silent.
“No,” I answer. “I don’t.” I expect to feel some sort of pulse under my skin, a static of some kind. But I feel nothing. “Ask me something else,” I say, curiosity pulling at me. They glance at each other when the woman cuts in.
“You are happy here,” she says, not as a question.
I blink. “No.” The word leaves me cleanly.
“Tell me you hate working with nature.” That makes me still.
