At the inn, Archer stops and gives me a polite bow. “Thanks for the wonderful time.”
“Surely you’ve changed your mind about tonight?” I ask, willing him to answer correctly.
“About the reading at the bookshop? No, I have not. Our project is too raw to be released to the public. We have to dwell on it when we finish the draft. It will need a hearty edit.”
“Hearty or heart-y?” I snicker at my own old man joke. “Romance jests…”
Archer just raises an eyebrow. “I don’t approveof the reading. I’m not the boss here. If anything, you are, so you do what you wish. But don’t expect me.”
Grrr. “Fine.”
“Fine.”
“Well, enjoy the rest of your day.” I want to know what he does in his off-hours.
“Thank you. You too.”
His gaze slides down my body, but then away to the noise of the market. He swallows. Blessed Runestones, I wish I could read his mind. But alas. He walks away quickly, his cloak rising in the cold breezing over the cobblestones. I can’t help but sigh. He’s just too good-looking.
The inn’s door swings open hard and slams against the frame. My heart jumps and I hold out my hands.
“What do you want me to do? Follow him?”
The inn gives a shake like a wet dog, and plaster puffs out of the cracks around the door frame. I have no idea what that means, but the door remains ajar so I give up and head inside. I think I’ll see if Tully and Kaya want to have dinner at the tavern tonight after the reading. I need to blow off some of this steam. I need to distract myself from thinking of Archer inthe way I currently am. Those hands would feel so good running along my sides to cup my arse.
I shake my head and head to my office to pen a couple of notes.
Perhaps Archer will surprise me and show up to the reading. After all, he dropped all that questioning about humor and pain. I didn’t think he would because he seems to love digging into painful subjects so maybe anything is possible.
Chapter 12
Archer
The stars are bright overhead tonight. Halvard and Rychell seemed to want a night alone because Nate was staying with a friend from school, so I’m off to the tavern. The wind rises and the cold scent of snow fills the air. There’s already some on the ground; enough that I am walking slowly down the cleared paths the town witch, Tully, cleared earlier. I caught a glimpse of her waving her wand about the square when I left Two Cats.
I hope the tavern isn’t pure madness tonight. Halvard told me they have an amazing Snowlight mead and I am looking forward to trying it.
I swing the door of the Goat and Dragon open, and the scent of rich gravy and sweet honey reachesmy nose. Almost every table is taken, but the conversation is subdued so it’s not too bad. Two musicians play lutes at the far end of the room, the tune easy-going and not overly loud. Several heads turn my way and the whispering begins. I ignore it, hoping everyone will leave me alone as per the mayor’s command.
“Welcome, Master Archer,” a silver-haired male says to me at the bar top. The fellow has muscles for days like he built this place with his own two hands. Makes me want to do some push-ups. “I’m Grumlin, the owner,” he says, “and I’d love to serve you. I’m a fan of your books.”
Ah, this must be the wizard who doesn’t practice magic anymore. Halvard told me about him too.
“So you’re one of the few, eh?” I say, grinning and settling onto a stool. I remove my cloak and hang it on a small hook under the lip of the bar top.
“Am I?” Grumlin’s eyebrows lift as he chuckles. His eyes give the impression of wisdom and age even though he only looks about thirty-five. Wizards age like us vampires, so that makes sense.
“I’m hoping my fan club will grow when I finish up this project with Mistress Colette.”
“I heard about the short story. You’re reading fromit at the Snowlight festival, right?”
“Aye,” I say, unable to keep the sour tone from my voice. “I hope we can satisfy the crowd.”
“You don’t seem like the type to give a shite about the crowd,” he says.
“Very intuitive, aren’t you?”
He shrugs and wipes down a blue crockery mug. “It’s a wizard’s talent.”
