Page 75 of The Reign of Blood

“It has? By who?” I ask in confusion. If it’s Flora, I’m going to tell her there’s no way in hell I’m accepting that.

The assistant clears her throat, avoiding my gaze. “The owner.”

“Why would the owner do that?” I rear back in surprise, glancing around as if they were going to appear out of nowhere with an explanation.

“Because… long live the kingdom of the fae.”

My cheeks heat as I stare at her, my jaw slack as I fail to find anything to say.

“Say thank you, Addi,” Flora murmurs beside me, pulling me from my blank mind, and I nod.

“Thank you,” I breathe, and the assistant grins, winking at Flora and me in quick succession.

“Always. Friends of the kingdom are friends of ours.”

Taking the bag, I follow Flora toward the door, but I’m not aware of anything as my mind swirls with disbelief.

“Now, can we eat?” Arlo asks, bringing me back to the present as we step outside. I adjust my hood around my face again, shielding myself from bystanders.

“Yes,” I answer immediately, my stomach grumbling at the thought of food.

“Where shall we go?” Flora asks, spinning on the spot as if a place will just pop up for us.

Nipping at my bottom lip, an idea comes to mind. “I know a quiet spot not far from here. It’s not the prettiest of places, but the food is amazing,” I offer, and Arlo claps his hands together excitedly.

“Lead the way, oh wise one,” he insists, shooing me along.

I chuckle along with Flora as we take off through the narrow passageways again.

It only takes a few minutes until the familiar sign hangs in front of us.

“You weren’t lying, Addi. It’s not the prettiest,” Arlo muses, frowning up at the place while Flora waves him off.

Heading inside, the familiar scent of garlic fills the air, making my stomach grumble again. “If I knew I’d been serving royalty all this time, I would have upped my prices,” Pearl states, stepping toward me with a grin teasing the corner of her mouth.

“No, you wouldn’t have, but I bet you would have had me washing the dishes,” I retort, making her head fall back as she laughs all the way from her belly.

“That’s my girl. Same as always?” she offers, waving for me to choose where I want to sit. “Oh, you’re not alone,” she adds, eyebrows raised in surprise at the sight of Flora and Arlo moving with me.

“They’ll want to look at the menu,” I answer, trying to remain calm about this entire conversation. I’ve spent years slipping in here alone. A time or two with my father and sister, but that’s always been rare. Anyone else other than those two people would startle anyone who knows me.

“I’ll get the menus; you get comfortable,” Pearl answers as I take my favorite spot in the far left of the restaurant. From here, I can see the entire room without anyone really being able to see me.

“Do you come here a lot?” Flora asks, and I shake my head.

“Not really.”

“But enough to know that woman and not need to order because she knows what you’re going to get?” she retorts, giving me a pointed look.

“I’m a creature of habit. Stick around long enough and you’ll see my choice of food doesn’t sway all that much,” I admit, and Arlo grins.

“That’s true. Your breakfast of choice most days is scrambled eggs and bacon.”

“It’s a good choice,” I insist with a shrug, and Flora snickers.

“On one hand, you’re a complete mystery; on the other, you’re simple and predictable.”

“How’s that for keeping you on your toes?” I retort with a grin, and she shakes her head at me.

---