“It wouldn’t hurt to check.” Rylana made a shooing motion toward the kitchen, though she imagined Jildarin feeling beleaguered by so many intruders into his domain. The plant master he wouldn’t mind, but the rest…
“Yes, I’ll do that.” Aztor took a few steps but paused to look back. “Ifshewere to design a rooftop dining area, I wouldn’t consider its implementation a breach of contract. It would surely increase the value of the property.”
“So much so,” Rylana said, “that there would be no need to increase the rent for some time? Especially if we paid for all the costs associated with the improvements?”
Aztor pursed his lips and tapped his ledger. She could tell his first instinct was to object, but he said, “We’ll see,” and headed for the kitchen.
“Do you have sway with your plant master?” Rylana asked Layothlee, though it occurred to her to wonder why she’d come along.
“We’ve only spoken a few times, but she said she enjoyed watching our troupe practice in the enclave and that she would attend our opening-night performance. It’s back on now, thanks to the lifting of the curse.” Layothlee nodded to her.
“Good. And if youdohave sway and could talk the plant master into signing our landlord’s book and drawing a mushroom or something in it, I’d appreciate it.”
“A mushroom?” Layothlee’s lips quirked with amusement.
“Whatever she can do easily that’s, you know, elven. And nature-y.”
“Is nature-y a word?”
“One that we apply to elves frequently, yes.”
Layothlee arched a skeptical eyebrow but said only, “I’ll see if she’s willing if he doesn’t finagle that of his own accord. I came because I wanted to personally thank you for your role in lifting the curse.”
Layothlee gazed around the diner, as if looking for something. Or…someone? Could she have heard that Sylin had been on the island? If so, Rylana hoped that the elves or gnomes or somebody in authority had reported that Sylin had also helped.
Layothlee’s gaze settled on the hallway, the kitchen door swinging open as someone leaned against it. Maybe she was simply looking for a promising dish for lunch.
“You’re welcome.” Rylana didn’t know if that was the proper response for working on lifting a curse that had affected the whole city, but Layothlee smiled, so maybe it was.
Rolf came over and planted himself in front of them. No, in front of Layothlee.
“Greetings, beauteous elf lady,” Rolf said. “Are you here for lunch? May I seat you? Do you have any interest in becoming my third wife?”
Rylana smacked a hand over her face. Maybe she should have smacked it overRolf’sface.
Layothlee blinked a couple of times. “I’m not sure if we’re staying for lunch, and, as flattering and difficult to resist as your last offer is, I’m not looking for a mate at this time.”
“Are you certain?” Rolf asked. “Our children would be strong, agile, clever, andbeautiful.”
“And green,” Rylana said.
“Elves don’t mind a little green tint in the skin.” Rolf waved toward Layothlee’s head. “It goes wonderfully with their hair.”
Rylana tapped his shoulder and pointed at a man in a booth lifting an empty mug. “That customer is personally requesting that you refill his drink.”
“Heisn’t a gorgeous elf,” Rolf said without looking.
“No, but when he walked in, I heard him mention that he’s been blessed by the gods with a profitable business and he enjoys sharing his prosperity with others.”
“Oh?” Rolf’s head swiveled toward the gentleman. “I’ll refill his drink.”
“Good idea.”
As Rolf trotted toward the booth, Layothlee, eyes twinkling, asked, “Do you regularly practice mendacity with your staff?”
“To keep them from offending visitors? Every chance I get.” Rylana almost added that Rolf wasn’therstaff, but she supposed that wasn’t true. When Jildarin had made her his partner, she’d inherited not only the profits and losses, and obligation to ensure the rent was paid, but the quirky employees. Maybe she should have thought more than three seconds before accepting his offer.
“Wise,” Layothlee said, “though I’ve had far more offensive propositions.”
