Page 100 of Morel Dilemma

“Something I picked up as a gift for my brother who enjoys antique hunting paraphernalia. Technically, I meant it to be more of a bribe than a gift.”

The blue mugs glowed brighter.

“Where did you pick it up?” Sylin asked.

“The dog Willow found it in the forest near Toadstool Rock while we were searching for enchanted morels. It was kind of buried near a log.”

“Maybe you should have left it buried.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“It’s glowing. Need I remind you of the troll curse and all the ill that happened after your castle started glowing?”

“I’m sure unearthing an old hunting horn in the woods isn’t going to unleash a curse.”

Shaking her head, Sylin walked toward the stairs. “Maybe I’ll travel south, after all.”

“Funny,” Rylana muttered and picked up the horn again, intending to stick it back in her quiver for the time being.

It not only didn’t stop glowing, but it warmed in her grip. Rylana sighed, wondering if she would get the days of rest and relaxation she’d been envisioning.

EPILOGUE

It wasn’t until the queen had departed from Tranquility, apparently having completed all the diplomatic meetings she wished, that Captain Tassani returned to the diner. After lunchtime, he found Rylana in the office, running cost calculations for new items Jildarin wanted to add to the menu.

“Greetings, fair Sergeant-Bookkeeper Rylana.” Tassani swept his cloak wide and bowed to her through the doorway. “I’ve finally caught up with all the extra duties that the queen’s visit inspired, not to mention interrogating the elves who turned on us the other night and figuring out what to do with them. It’s been a rough few days, and I would love to take you for that coffee date of which we spoke. Are you available?”

“I…” Rylana peered past him and into the hallway.

Jildarin was peering from the kitchen toward them. When their eyes met, he scowled at Tassani’s back, then withdrew to his dinner preparations.

“I think I could get away for a few minutes.” Rylana didn’t know if she wanted to date Tassani, especially since her mind kept drifting back to the kiss that she’d shared with Jildarin, but she was curious about what had happened with the elves after that eventful night.

“Excellent.” Tassani bowed again, then stepped back to make room for her to exit the small office.

When they peeked into the kitchen, they found Jildarin glowering through the doorway as he ran a meat grinder to make sausages for the evening menu.

Despite the forbidding glower, Tassani paused. “Chef Jildarin, you may be relieved to know that the elves who overindulged in enchanted morels the other night have all mostly recovered from the ordeal. A few are still having twinges in their lower abdominal areas, but, by some stroke of fate, those were the elves who were part of the plot against Queen Fareesa’s daughter, so they’re receiving no sympathy from me or my fellow loyal officers.” Tassani tilted his head. “Did you somehow know which elves to give more morels to?”

“I did not. Perhaps the gods guided my hands.”

“The gods have been active of late,” Tassani murmured. “Fair afternoon, Chef.” He bowed politely to Jildarin before leading the way out of the diner.

Jildarin’s return grunt wasn’t as polite, and he went back to grinding meat.

“I don’t think that dragon cares for me,” Tassani remarked as he and Rylana entered the coffee shop and selected a table near the towering roasting equipment against the side wall. “Since I’ve done nothing untoward to him, I’ll assume it has to do with his feelings for you.”

“He’s made it clear that he doesn’t have feelings for me, not romantic feelings.”

“Has he made that clear? Men who aren’t interested in women don’t usually buy them beds; at least, that is not an elven custom.”

“Dragons are unique beings with their own customs.”

“Yes, but I’m quite familiar with their kind. They also don’t buy bedroom furniture for any but their mates.”

“Has any dragon ever bought bedroom furniture for anyone?” Rylana inhaled the warm scents of roasting beans as she sat across from Tassani. “I’ve not heard armoires, mattresses, or vanities mentioned in the descriptions of dragon lairs.”

“That is true, but a dragon who has pair-bonded with a female will often assist in preparing the nesting area with prime materials. That is not something he would deign to do for a dragon of minimal importance to him.”