Page 32 of Ties of Legacy

Avery’s curiosity spiked at his mention of his antagonistic relationship with his mother. What had happened between them? Had Avery and Elliot become comfortable enough with each other that she could ask him?

The person in front of them stepped away, revealing the stall holder. Elliot ordered a selection of buns, handing over the necessary coin and accepting the bag he was offered.

When Avery started to speak to the stall holder in turn, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side.

“Don’t be silly.” He held open the bag to show the generous contents. “I couldn’t possibly eat all these myself. They’re to share.”

Avery peered inside. “I’ve seen you eat. Are you sure you couldn’t eat them all yourself?”

Elliot chuckled. “Possible or not, I have no intention of eating them all. Choose whatever you like.”

Avery took him at his word, selecting the plumpest-looking bun and happily taking a bite. He followed her example, and they strolled along the stalls, eating bun after bun.

“I’m not going to need a meal this evening,” Avery eventually groaned after her fifth bun. “Why did you buy so many?”

“You’re the one who was talking about them being your favorite!” Elliot protested. “I had to buy enough to be sure there were some left over for me to eat.”

There was no heat in their light-hearted squabble, and Avery grinned. This was what was missing when she visited marketson her own. She could—and did—buy herself spiced buns, but it wasn’t as much fun to eat them alone.

She slowed as they walked past a stall with brightly colored wrapped sweets. They looked so cheerful all laid out in lines, and she ran her hand lightly down the closest row.

“Avery?” the woman behind the stall asked suddenly, making her freeze.

She looked up into the beaming face of an unfamiliar middle-aged woman. She smiled back easily, used to being recognized by people she didn’t remember.

“It’s years since I’ve seen you,” the woman continued, “but I’d recognize you anywhere. Don’t tell me you’ve settled down! Or are you just passing through Marleston?”

“Just passing through,” she confirmed. “I don’t think I have it in my blood to settle.”

The woman gave a comfortable chuckle. “The same as always, I see. Your father used to marvel at your adventurous spirit.”

Avery’s smile slipped a little, and the woman’s face fell as she realized what she’d said.

“A fine man,” she said. “And sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Avery nodded, mustering a grateful smile despite the wave of sadness.

“We’ve developed a new product in the last few years,” the woman said, quickly changing the subject. “And right proud of it we are.” She gestured along the rows of sweets.

“They must be popular with children,” Avery said, speaking almost at random as she fought back memories of what it had been like to travel with her parents, back when she didn’t pay too much attention to their many contacts across the kingdoms.

“Exactly!” the woman exclaimed, as if Avery had hit on the most relevant point. “Extremely popular they are.” She picked one up and pressed it into Avery’s hand. “Take a sample.”

She winked at Avery. “I’ll be betting you’ll be back for more once you experience their popularity for yourself.”

Avery thanked her, used to being offered samples by people who hoped she would help spread their products throughout the kingdoms. With a single small sweet, she wouldn’t even have to feel bad if it wasn’t something she wanted to stock.

She stepped away from the stall as Elliot came in behind her to peer at the sweets. As she moved away to give him space, she stared down at the bright wrapper in her hand. More memories flooded through her. How many times had her father snuck her an extra sweet at the markets?

Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them away. Idly her hands began to move, unwrapping the sweet slowly and popping it into her mouth. She had just started to suck on it when Elliot’s sharp cry cut through the air.

“Avery! Don’t eat that!”

She stared at him in astonishment, her mouth flooding with sweetness and an odd aftertaste she couldn’t place.

“Spit it out!” he ordered, striding toward her, but the edges of the world were blurring, her vision going dark as everything faded away and her body collapsed.

Chapter 12

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