Sparrow’s eyes widened questioningly as he looked at me.
I looked back at him.
“Elowin,” Teon said and elbowed me. “What do you think?”
I thought Sparrow was so lovely that I’d forgotten every word I’d ever learned.
“Uh,” I managed at last. “Yeah. You look great, Sparrow.”
Sparrow’s smile bloomed and became brilliant. “Thank you, Elowin.”
“You’re most welcome,” I said and forced myself to drag my gaze away from the way the light shimmered and danced on the silver in his hair. “Now shall we go and explore?”
“Yes, please!” Sparrow hurried over to stand by my side and slipped his hand into mine. And even though I knew it was purely so he didn’t get lost, it still made my insides go all soft and warm.
“Have fun,” Rowan said with a knowing smile, because my sister had always been far too perceptive. I ignored her.
“I’m sure Elowin can show you all sorts of interesting things,” Teon added with a smirk, because they were and always had been a little shit.
The tips of Sparrow’s pointed ears grew unaccountably pink.
“We’re going now,” I said and led Sparrow away before Teon could say anything else.
We wound our way along the path that led past a row of little gift shops, taking our time now that there was no rush to meet the prince. Every stall seemed to have something that delighted Sparrow anew, and by the time we reached the end of the row, he was in possession of two delicate blown-glass chickens, an embossed leather pouch, and a handful of hair ribbons, and his smile was a mile wide.
“I never knew there were so many wonderful things to buy!” he said happily, his eyes bright. “Are all markets like this? Oh! Should I buy a courting gift for the prince? What do you think he’d—” He came to an abrupt halt and let out a gasp. “Look!”
I followed his gaze and couldn’t help but grin. Of course.
Sparrow stepped forward and stretched out a hand almost reverently, running it across the strings of the lute that lay displayed on the table at the front of the tent. They let out a discordant sound, and Sparrow pulled his hand back quickly but continued to stare at the instrument like a man in love.
“Do you play?” the stallholder, a tall elegant elf with snow-white hair and laugh lines creasing his face, asked as he approached the table.
“Oh no,” Sparrow said, flushing.
“He’s learning,” I said and nudged him. “Do you like it?”
“It is an excellent instrument to learn on,” said the stallholder, leaning in close as though he was imparting secret information he wouldn’t share with just anyone and not just trying to make a sale. “And it’s on sale today only.”
Sparrow was clearly a stranger to markets if he believed that, but he nodded seriously. “I see.”
“You are clearly an elf of impeccable taste,” the seller said with a smile.
“Oh,” said Sparrow, blinking. He had no idea what Rowan’s clothing cost, but clearly the seller did. And Sparrow would continue to have no idea because I’d buy them for him. I’d seen him carefully counting his coins when it came to his little souvenirs. Besides, it wasn’t as though Rowan would charge me what she charged every other customer. I hoped. “Thank you. How—how much is it on sale for?”
The seller named a price and Sparrow’s face lit up, but I put a hand on his wrist, shook my head, and snorted.
He named another one.
This time Sparrow looked to me first. He was learning.
“Let’s try somewhere else,” I said.
The seller named three more prices before I finally nodded at Sparrow. “That’s fair, if you want to get it.”
He would never make a card player—the longing was written all over his face. But to his credit, he did at least try. “What do you think? Should we look somewhere else?”
“Did I mention it comes with enchanted strings that never go out of tune?” the seller said quickly. “And it has a protection spell on it to prevent travel damage.” He strummed the lute as he spoke, and it made a soft, melodious sound.
