Page 2 of Starlit Bargains

“Twenty-five, and you can keep your appreciation.”

“Twenty, and I'll tell all my friends about your fair and reasonable prices.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You don't have friends.”

Kai pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Madam, you wound me deeply. I'll have you know I have at least two friends, possibly three if you count the sprite who keeps stealing my breakfast pastries.”

A flicker of amusement crossed her face. “Twenty-two, and not a copper less.”

“Fine.” Kai sighed dramatically. “Twenty-two it is. Silas is going to have a fit.”

As Madam Wisteria gathered the rest of his items, Kai wandered around the small shop, examining the various containers that lined the shelves. Most were labeled, though some had nothing but strange symbols etched into their surfaces. His fingers hovered over a small, ornate box that seemed to hum with a subtle vibration.

“Don't touch that,” Madam Wisteria snapped without looking up.

Kai jerked his hand back. “I wasn't going to.”

“You absolutely were.” She shook her head. “Witches, always poking at things better left alone.”

“Not technically a witch,” Kai corrected automatically. It was a distinction he'd found himself making often. Witches were disciplined, studied, confident in their abilities. He was... well, whatever the opposite of that was. Someone who happened to be able to do magic sometimes, when it felt like cooperating.

“Could've fooled me,” she muttered, then called out the total. “That'll be seventy-eight silver for the lot.”

Kai winced, already imagining Silas's reaction. “Seriously? That's?—”

“Fair market value,” she interrupted firmly. “Take it or leave it.”

With a resigned sigh, Kai counted out the coins, silently cursing Silas for sending him on this particular errand. As Madam Wisteria packed his purchases into small paper parcels,he noticed a bundle of dried lavender on the counter, its purple stalks bound with a piece of twine.

“How much for the lavender?” he asked, suddenly remembering that Thorne had mentioned needing some for a sleeping draught.

“Three silver,” she replied, already reaching for it.

“Three silver for dead flowers? That's absurd.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Organic, ethically harvested, blessed under the full moon.”

“It's lavender,” Kai insisted. “It grows literally everywhere.”

“Fine. Two silver, and only because I want you out of my shop before you break something expensive.”

Kai grinned. “Deal.”

As she added the lavender to his package, Kai found himself fidgeting with a loose thread on his sleeve, a familiar restless energy building beneath his skin. It always happened when he was annoyed or frustrated—that tingling sensation that started in his fingertips and spread up his arms. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Not now, he thought firmly.Just a simple purchase. Nothing to get worked up about.

But it was too late. The magic had already started to rise, responding to his emotions rather than his intent. He felt the heat in his palms, the slight crackle of energy that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.

And then, without warning, the bundle of lavender burst into flames.

“Shit!” Kai exclaimed, jumping back as blue-violet flames engulfed the dried flowers, sending sparks dancing across the counter.

Madam Wisteria let out a shriek, reaching for a clay pot and dumping its contents—some kind of fine sand—over the burning herbs. The flames died instantly, leaving behind the acrid smellof burnt lavender and something sweeter, like caramelized sugar.

For a moment, there was absolute silence in the small shop.

“I—I'm sorry,” Kai stammered, genuine remorse coloring his voice. “I didn't mean to?—”

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