My mother had always prevented me from having too much that was sweet. She worried about my image and didn’t want me indulging in tarts, cream, sugar, or anything unhealthy. While I watched everyone else please their senses, I stuck to a strict diet. I wasn’t used to living in a world without rules.
The flapping of wings distracted me. I averted my gaze to Buttercup. It was strange, watching Cedric with a pixie. He was smitten with her, excited by everything she did, watching her fly around the room. Of course, I was accustomed to them. They were as common as flies in Magaelor.
“You should feed her first,” I said.
His smile dropped as he rushed to her, looking guilty for forgetting about his new pet. I’d fed her yesterday. He didn’t look like he had ever had to take care of anything or anyone before, so I imagined it would be easy for him to forget about her needs. I made a mental note to remind him of his duties to take care of the creature he had illegally imported under my kingdom’s nose. I did my best not to let the aggravation stay in me, and instead I watched as he pulled out a small bowl and filled it with a large dollop of honey and a handful of berries.
“Eat up, little one,” he told her and moved the bowl in front of her. He turned toward me. “You go get dressed. You’re far too distracting in my shirt like that.”
I ignored his wide grin and mischievous eyes, then left for the bedroom.
I hadn’t expected him to make food for us. He was far too breezy to want to do things for others off his own back. I’d met so many people like him to know their type, or so I’d thought, but he surprised me. The clanking of pots, tinkering of glasses, and a couple of small groans escaped into the living room. A yeasty and sweet aroma followed.
I quickly pulled on my dress, the only clothing I had, and walked back into the dining area. I took my place at the table, then rested my hand against my cheek and looked up at the ceiling. The white pattens swirled together. Focusing on one would make the others look like they were moving. We didn’t have houses like this back home. Everything was made from stone to withstand the harsh winters, snow, and relentless storms that invaded our coastline.
Ah, home.
I wondered how much longer I would be able to evade questions about it. Cedric hadn’t pressed me yet on who I was. I knew the type; he had secrets of his own. Honest people were always the nosiest. Few people respected privacy anymore, and while I appreciated that trait, I knew his patience in my avoidance would only last so long. It was unusual to spend this much time with someone and not know anything about them. He was helping me, meaning his interest in me was piqued. I had to keep the façade of the mysterious girl if I was to use him to find a way back home, or, at the least, a place to stay while I found a way back myself. I looked down at my dress of purple and silver. I fiddled with one of the black cotton roses.
“It’s ready,” he called.
My stomach cartwheeled when I looked down at the redberry tart lined with short crust. The aroma of the butter and flour was intoxicating. A large dollop of cream leaned off to the side. A sprinkle of sugar coated the smooth jam between the berries.
I closed my eyes once the first mouthful tingled on my tongue. The pastry crumbled between my teeth, and the berries contrasted the buttery taste with a sharp, sour one. The sugar took away any bitterness. I opened my eyes and licked my lips. I stabbed into another slice, this time taking a good helping of cream with it. It was smooth, heavy, and sweet.
I wolfed it down, then scraped the bowl for the remnants left at the bottom. That was the best thing I had ever tasted. I flushed red when I looked up at Cedric, feeling like I had done something wrong. He was only halfway through eating his.
“Did you like it?”
“No. It was awful,” I said, deadpan.
I turned my bowl over and grinned as he stared at the emptiness.
His forehead creased and eyebrows rose upward. “Wow.”
“You’re an excellent cook.”
His eyes brightened. “Was that a compliment?”
I laughed.
“Well, thank you. I don’t get the chance to cook much at home. It’s not a skill I am renowned for.”
“It should be.”
He gave me a lopsided grin. “You’re sweet.”
I eyed Buttercup, who was sitting on top of the mantle above the fireplace. She had finished her berries and honey and was looking around. “You should take her out.”
“I can’t. You know that.” His eyes narrowed. “It’s illegal to own a pixie here.”
“I meant at night when no one is around. Is there a place nearby where no one really goes? She needs fresh air.”
He leaned in. “You never did tell me how you know so much about pixies.”
I itched the back of my neck. “I’ve read about them.”
“Books about Magaelor are banned here, so that’s a lie. You know I can tell when you’re not telling the truth, right?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s not hard to get your hands on information or something illegal if you really want it.” My gaze flicked to Buttercup.
“Touché.” His eyes twinkled. “But everyone has a story...”
My heart hammered against my ribs.
A loud knock on the door startled me. “Who’s that?”
“It’s a friend of mine.” He looked at Buttercup. “Go hide.”
She nodded, then flew out of the dining area and toward the bedrooms. I wished I could follow her, but I didn’t want to risk acting strangely when he already had questions about me.
I was sweating by the time he opened the door.
“Acoris!” Cedric greeted the man enthusiastically, a sentiment his guest clearly did not share. “Come in, come in.”
The visitor was in his late twenties. He was a solis and carried himself with the grace of a nobleman. He glanced in my direction and stared at me for longer than I’d have liked. “You look familiar.” His accent was nasally with clipped endings.
Sketches of me with the rest of my family were consistently plastered on every newspaper in Magaelor. It wasn’t foolish to assume he might have seen one in his time. As Cedric had said, Magaelorean literature was banned, so I presumed that meant our papers too, but like I’d pointed out, anyone could get their hands on anything if they wished to.
“I don’t think so,” I finally said, then averted my gaze.
Cedric laughed and slapped Acoris’s shoulder. “Good luck getting anything out of her. I’ve been trying since we met.” He joked, but suspicion crowned the stranger’s eyes. I held my breath as Cedric escorted him into the living room.
I watched them like a hawk. Every micromovement from the man flamed my apprehension. I swallowed hard. Getting out of Bluewater was a good idea. It was the province where the royal castle and family were, and I had more chance of being spotted here than anywhere else.
There were other provinces. I remembered them being mentioned in the newspapers Morgana had, but I had no clue where they were. I needed a map. Perhaps I could find a way home somewhere else, where the chances of being recognized were miniscule.
Words of “shadow market” and “trade” floated from their conversation, capturing my attention. Cedric kept glancing in my direction as he negotiated. The conversation became indecipherable when they lowered their voices to a whisper.