Page 27 of Once Written in Gilded Blood

The festival is so beautiful that it puts an ache in my chest. The smiles and laughter are so infectious that the corners of my lips draw upward. If there was even a dash of this happiness in Alzhor, I’m certain more of the demigods could come to see the demon-folk as I do now.

“That tent there! That’s the best sweetgops you’ll ever taste.” Nikolai is already grinning from ear to ear. I’m pretty sure he skipped supper to make sure he had room to gorge himself here.

“And what exactly is that again?” I say with a breathy laugh. It feels good to be dressed like the demons and to celebrate a day I didn’t know was different from the rest.

Nina shares in the excitement of going around tasting the food, hooking arms with me as Nik takes my other arm. I almost forgot that Tessa isn’t with us.

I hope she’s okay.

We head down to the tents first, and Nikolai makes me try the sweetgops. They are small circular fried bread with sugar and berries on top. I eat at least five pieces before the two of them drag me away so we can try the other food tents.

There are so many people here that I’m a bit conscious of them realizing who I am and turning their disdain onto me. But to my delight, no one seems to be paying attention to me. They’re too invested in their magical evening of the winter solstice festival.

A large smile plays on my lips until sunset turns to evening. The string lights all flicker brighter to accommodate. It’s so odd to go from the freezing temperature on the other side of the veil to the pleasantly warm one within. It feels like a cool summer night, the air crisp, but comfortable enough for me to wear this dress.

I take another long sip from a mix of tea that Nina got me. My eyes wander to the tea tent she bought it from, and my mind starts going.

They might have the herbs I’ve been searching for. Today has been one of those numb days, where your thoughts from the night before are so loud that you space out all day and let your mind be empty. While I still have guilt tugging at my heart, I can’t ignore the worrying vision of young Kalel from the wisp.

“I’m going to browse a few tent shops. I’ll be right back,” I say quickly as I stand up and make for the row the tea one is in.

Nikolai waves back. He’s lounged against a large tree and is holding his stomach, looking like he might be sick.

I told him not to eat that last bagelpop, but he insisted he was fine. I chuckle and head straight for the tea shop.

The woman standing behind the booth greets me. For a second, I forget that I’m different than them. I’m just a girl shopping for herbs, but the shop owner picks up on my features and must realize who I am because she gets quiet, and her smile vanishes swiftly.

I offer a weak grin, more for courage for myself if I’m being honest, and ask, “Do you have flocke-fennel?”

She’s a short woman with dark hair and weathered eyes. She gives me a suspicious look. “Why would you need flocke-fennel, demigod? That’s an herb you don’t have in the Holy Lands of Alzhor.” Her voice is filled with suspicion.

Oh gods, I didn’t know that. I think quickly. I lower my head and say quieter, “My husband was an apothecary before his servitude as a knight. His rations at the palace are low, and he asked me to get a new supply of them.” I hate having to lie, but there’s not much I can do. I want to break the sacred oath, to protect myself should it come down to it.

It’s not easy to not trust someone you love.

Her expression softens, and I find a wealth of sympathy in her gaze. “Lord Lornhelm isn’t cruel to you, is he?” she asks, eyes scouring over me for a shred of evidence of mistreatment.

I shake my head. “No. Why?”

She sighs with a bit of relief. “Well, flocke-fennel is used to heal unyielding wounds or marks.”

At least she seems to care enough about me despite our differences. I’m glad she doesn’t seem to know anything about the oath bond.

She flattens her lips and gives me a small huff before she disappears behind the colorful red tarp of her tent. She must not be fond of Kalel if she feels that bad for a demigod like me.

Hopefully she comes back with it and isn’t just leaving me standing here for nothing, but I’m not holding my breath. I glance over my shoulder to see if Nina and Nikolai are still by the tree waiting for me. They’re both chatting and facing out toward the remaining shops we’ve yet to get to. Ustel walks up to Nina a second later, and she jumps into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and smiling like a lovestruck girl.

I’m glad he finally showed up. My smile fades as I realize I’m unconsciously looking for Kalel too. He’s still nowhere to be seen.

I return my attention to the tent and let out a relieved sigh when I hear the tent flap move again.

The woman extends her hand and drops a small pouch into mine. I blink down at it and quickly close my palm so no one sees what I have.

My eyes flash up to hers as I’m about to thank her.

She lifts her hand to stop me and nods her head for me to leave. I swallow the words and instead offer a gracious bow as I leave some money Nik gave me to use tonight before turning to go.

I don’t waste any time shoving the pouch into my pocket.