‘Then, toward the end, you’ve got the area travelers pass through; that’s where the carriages stop by for people who need to go anywhere.’
It seemed like a bit of a maze, really, and she wasn’t sure how she’d ever navigate without a guide. Luckily, she wasn’t planning on it, and she stuck close to Azam as he continued to point out little shops or the homes of people he knew. He told her that he’d grown up here, so he knew the area and its people very well. More than a few times, people passing by waved or said hello to him.
It was all interesting, and she liked listening to Azam talk. She used to be able to see the Outskirts from her tower at the castle, since the castle was up on the highest hill, and had always wondered what it would be like down here. Now she was here, and she loved it, especially with Azam by her side.
They made it to the market and went to the bakery, where she inhaled the lovely scent of freshly baked bread. They picked up a loaf, and after Azam paid, she asked if they could pop by the bookshop.
‘Of course,’ Azam said. They exited the bakery, and as they did, they walked past the butcher.
There, a voice called out: ‘Azam!’
They both turned to see a boy around their age leaving the butcher’s, heading toward them. He was strongly built with long hair pulled back in a bun.
‘Enzo!’ Azam said with a smile. They clapped each other’s shoulders.
Ah,so this was the famous Enzo.
‘Don’t you have work?’ Enzo asked.
‘No, I took a few days off,’ Azam replied quickly, then turned to Sonya. ‘Enzo, this is Sonya. She’s staying with us.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ Enzo said, giving her a charming smile.
‘I’m pleased to meet you, as well,’ she replied.
‘Where are you two headed?’ Enzo asked.
‘Probably the same place you are. The bookshop,’ Azam replied. Enzo grinned.
They walked over together, and Azam told Sonya how he and Enzo had gone to school together. ‘He was easily the smartest kid in our class,’ Azam said. ‘He’s a tongue-witch and knows just about every language.’
‘Wow,’ Sonya said, impressed. They entered the bookshop, the doorbell ringing above them.
‘Enzo can memorize entire books just by reading them once,’ Azam said. ‘It’s brilliant.’
As Azam finished speaking, Winnie appeared, scowling as she heard. ‘If you’re going to praise Enzo, please don’t do it in front of me,’ she said, pushing her glasses back.
Enzo cocked his head, amused. ‘Jealous, Winifred?’
‘Of you?’ She scoffed. ‘As if.’
‘Your skin’s turning green with envy,’ Enzo said, bopping her nose. She glared, biting the air, narrowly missing his finger as he pulled his hand back.
‘Get away from me,’ she snapped. ‘You smell like blood.’
Enzo narrowed his eyes, annoyed, and then it was Winnie’s turn to smile, but Enzo was quick to come up with a retort.
‘Maybe that’s why you’re attracted to me,’ he said, tone smooth. ‘Since you’re so bloodthirsty.’
She made a sound of outrage. ‘Attracted!’ Her face was red, and there seemed to be something going on between them that made Sonya feel like she was intruding. Winnie snapped her attention to Azam. ‘I cannot believe you are friends with this miscreant.’
Enzo snickered.
Winnie shook her head, then took Sonya’s arm. ‘Come, darling, we have better things to do.’
She pulled Sonya away, until they were behind some bookshelves, out of sight of the boys. Winnie caught her breath. ‘Ugh, I hate him,’ she complained. ‘I don’t know what my father sees in him when he is so absolutely vexing.’
‘Did you want to be your father’s apprentice?’ Sonya asked.
