Page 112 of The Sinner's Bargain

The short, round woman with rosy cheeks and a smile that could light up a whole room had laughed and boxed everything up to be picked up the next day.

I noted Thoran also stuffed another hundred-dollar bill in her tip jar before we left. He did that in every shop we visited.

For a man who seemed indifferent to taking a life, he was well thought of amongst the people of his village. Even in the stores where we didn’t buy anything. People greeted him by name, and he asked about their families. They chatted like they’d been friends for years. Not a single person looked at him as if he were a monster or someone to be feared, but still there was respect in the way they addressed him.

He didn’t introduce me to anyone. Not by name or as a passing comment. I wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t want people knowing my name or he didn’t want to lie and give them my fake one, but I appreciated not being drawn into the conversations. I had no idea what to say, but also, I wanted as few people to remember me as possible just in case.

“I have something I need to look into,” Thoran said as he turned down a narrow alleyway. “I’m going to leave Cyrus with you. I won’t be long.”

I wanted to protest, and I started to.

“Cyrus should go with you,” I said. “What if you need him?”

He shook his head. “I won’t where I’m going.” He kissed the spot between my eyebrows before pulling back. “Besides, I have a feeling you’ll want to stay for a while where we’re going next.”

Intrigued, but still concerned, I allowed him to guide me further along until we reached a building with gorgeous gothic windows and a vastly different design from every other store we’d crossed. Victorian, if I had to guess. Two stories with stunning architecture that reminded me deeply of Lacroix House. Intricately carved woodwork ran in arches and lines across the door and trimmings. Overhead, gently swaying with the breeze, a sign read: Elysian Plains.

Thoran turned the brass knob and waited for me to cross the threshold.

It was nearly the exact replica of Thoran’s office with rows upon rows of shelving spanning two floors. Each one stuffed with books in a hundred different sizes, colors, and genres. The entire place smelled of freshly brewed coffee and parchment.

Book bindings.

Dust.

Calm.

Peace.

It was ... everything my little heart had always wanted, right down to the velvet sofas placed neatly with wooden tables and lamps set just right. And plants. So many running over the arched windows and winding across railings. They nestled amongst the shelves and filled hundreds of pots littered across nearly every surface.

“Do you think you’ll be okay here for a little while?” Thoran teased, tongue rolling over his teeth.

I wasn’t listening.

I had spotted the spiral staircase and I was barely containing the bubbling noise threatening to spill free from my throat.

I hadn’t even realized I was practically vibrating with happiness until his hands were on my face, physically turning it towards his to get my attention.

He laughed and kissed me. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Again, barely heard a word as I gaped up at him. “What is this place?”

“Yours.”

I blinked, certain that weird fog that had settled over my brain was making up words I wanted to hear.

“What?”

“If it makes you this happy, it’s yours.”

He kissed me again and just left.

---