Page 59 of Daughter of the Darkened City

“When the curse is broken, you’ll have to bring her with you to visit.”

Enid’s smile faltered for a moment before returning as she gave a nod. Avenay’s nerves skittered at the look. For all her bravado, Enid was nervous about the ritual too.

“Who is your friend?” the nymph asked.

“Avenay. She’s a brilliant scholar and the one who uncovered the truth about Evolis existing.” Enid’s words shone with a pride that made Avenay want to kiss her.

“I’m Laurel,” the nymph said, squinting her eyes, then reaching under the table to pull out a beautifully embroidered headband. It was cream with pink, gold, and pearl beads sewn in a snaking pattern. She came to Avenay and pointed to her head. “May I?”

Avenay nodded and Laurel placed it in her curls, then held up a mirror for her to see. Avenay blinked. It looked like a crown—or halo.

“Beautiful,” Enid said with a special reverence.

Avenay couldn’t make eye contact with her but looked at Laurel and said, “I’d love to buy this if it’s for sale.”

“It just so happens to be.”

Avenay felt for her pouch, but Enid placed a hand over hers and pulled out several coins, handing them to Laurel.

“Oh, you don’t—“Avenay started to say.

“I’m not letting you pay for it.” Enid fixed her with a commanding gaze that made her almost reply with, “yes ma’am,” but she bit her tongue and said instead, “Thank you.”

Enid purchased fabric, and they walked back to the market square. It was almost noontime and meats were roasting, bread was baking, and vendors at fruit stands beckoned them in. Enid bought them an assortment of food, piling it into a basket, almost overflowing. Theyfound steps that overlooked a vale bursting with purple and blue flowers, surrounded by pines and oak trees that tangled with vines.

Enid handed her meat and bread, then roasted squash on a stick. Avenay ate the food slowly, struggling to hold them all with her two hands. Enid devoured her food, then more in as much time as it took her to eat the bit she had. It was no wonder; that strength didn’t come from nowhere. When Avenay finished, Enid handed her just as much as she’d given her before.

“I can’t eat all of this!” Avenay said with a laugh.

Enid took it back. “I can.”

She grinned as she took a bite of the roasted turkey leg,and Avenay continued eating the sweet blue melon in her lap that tasted like fresh ocean air and lavender syrup.

“They seem to have a bustling marketplace, but I’m curious about trade and their economy with them being so isolated,” Avenay mused.

Enid bopped her on the nose with the end of her vegetable stick. “Of course you would.”

“What does that mean?”

Enid laughed, and Avenay’s head felt light in such a delightful way at the sound. “I just mean that I thought it was a cool market and you’re wondering about the logistics of it all.”

Avenay chuckled. “Well, yes, I suppose that’s naturally how my mind works.” She felt the compulsion to apologize, but she held back.

“I like that about you. You’re curious in ways I would never think to be. I wonder what it’s like to see the world through your eyes.”

Avenay let out a sigh and leaned against the cool stone wall. “It’s too much. I wish I could shut it off. It’s not always fun noticing everything. I’ve always wished I was more like you.” Avenay grimaced. She hadn’t meant to say the last part, but there it was. The truth.

Enid’s hand found hers. “I’m glad you’re not like me. People like you change the world. People like me just manage to fuck up every beautiful thing that comes their way.”

“That’s not—”

But Avenay was interrupted by Kaemon and Dryston coming up, crowding Enid’s space. She’d noticed this with Enid and her brothers multiple times and observed it with the larger group of demons in Orc Haven. They seemed so close and easygoing. Another thing Avenay wished she knew how to be.

“You have a feast here,” Dryston said, seeing the food.

“Take some. I somehow bought too much,” Enid responded. “Avenay doesn’t eat as much as me, it seems.”

“That’s because you’re a bottomless pit,” Kaemon said, sitting next to her.

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