Archer stands, signs the remainder of his books, and lifts his hand.
“Mistress Lysandra?” he calls out in his soft, deep voice.
The faun finishes a conversation with a goblin and three humans, then rushes over. “It was a great success!”
“For Colette, yes,” he says quietly, a self-deprecating, wry grin on his lips.
Lysandra studies his table. “We’ll sell the rest of yours at the shop and I’m happy to buy two for the library as well.”
Archer puts a hand over his heart and gives her a slight bow. “Thank you very much. I’ll get those set aside for you, pack up, and then I’ll be on my way.”
“What about the author tea?” I say in unison with Lysandra.
He shrugs. “I don’t like tea.”
“You’re lying,” I say.
He huffs a laugh and covers his mouth with a fist. “Is that so?”
Lysandra, stone-faced, glances from me to him. “Everyone likes tea.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. I prefer coffee.”
Lysandra and I trade a narrow-eyed look, then focus our gazes on him.
“I’ve heard about coffee,” Lysandra says. “From Kaya, our baker, and Rychell, the spice merchant.”
“Two people?” Archer asks. “Oh, Rychell? I’m staying with her and her mate.”
“Good folks. Despite the coffee thing,” Lysandra says, practically spitting the wordcoffee.
I concur. It’s one of the few things in the world I don’t love.
“Here I thought that my blood-drinking would be the issue …”
Questions flood my mind, but I don’t want to ask them in public. I’ve messed with Archer enough for one day. Even I know that.
Lysandra laughs nervously and pays him for the books. He helpsher load them inside while I count up my earnings. I see Archer slip out of the library side of Lysandra’s business.
“Bye! Enjoy the rest of your visit here! I’d be happy to share an ale with you at my inn later if you’re bored!”
He waves and smiles weakly before hurrying off.
Well, that did not go as planned. Too bad. At least most of the event was fun.
Lysandra serves the tea, and all the authors, except Archer, gather to talk about what they’re working on now and what struggles they’ve been having this year, if any. I spend a good hour vomiting excitement over my favorite fantasy author, who listens patiently and signs a book for me. It’s amazing. I swallow down the rest of my cinnamon tea and rise to leave. I can’t help but wish Archer had stayed for the tea. I always feel such an urge to get sad folks to smile more.
Lysandra hugs me farewell, and I walk back to my inn to meet my new employee.
Chapter 2
Archer
Blessed Runestones, that was… a LOT. I breathe out, then inhale slowly. That woman’s overly sweet scent of sugar and peppermint invades my lungs. No one can be that nice and truly mean it, can they?
I was hoping that today’s faire would go well and I would get some sales momentum. Having money isn’t my main goal in life, but one must have it, unfortunately. Alas. But instead of forwarding my writing career, I made an arse of myself by falling into a woman who decided kissing me in front of all and sundry was the way to go. I rub my hands over my face as I stride toward Rychell and Halvard’s home. I’m sure it looked as though Colette and I hadplanned thehappy accidentas some sort of publicity event. My stomach turns.
What if the faire had gone as I hoped? I can imagine a decently sized line of readers at my table making considered conversation. A satisfying chat with Colette, Lysandra the librarian, and the other authors about our work and what drives us.
