Page 65 of Lore of the Wilds

“What is it?” Lore wasn’t sure if it was his proximity or the lingering hangover that was clouding her thought process.

He unhooked a coin purse from his leather belt and dropped it into her outstretched hand. She was startled back to her sensesby the weight of it. “I can’t take this. It’s the least I could do since your father is letting us stay here.”

His eyes narrowed when she saidus. What was his problem with Asher?

“Look, if you don’t want it, then take it up with Gryph. It matters not either way.” Dislike radiated off him like a storm cloud heavy with the promise of rain, and the shadows seemed just a little darker where he stood.

What was his magical affinity? She hadn’t seen him so much as light a fire with magic or sweep away dirt with a gust of wind.

She looked at the coin purse in her hand, then opened her mouth to thank Finndryl, but he was gone. The door leading to the kitchen swung forcefully in his wake.

She hefted the coin purse one last time before slipping it into her pack.

She knew exactly what to do with it.

Chapter18

By the time Lore stepped outside, the sun had broken through the clouds and was drying up the damp courtyard. She shook off the unpleasant exchange with Finndryl, letting the sun warm her face and soak into her skin. She would try to steer clear of him for the next few days.

Lore found Isla cleaning the cramped kitchen upstairs, finishing the task she’d given herself the day before. Asher was standing in the living room, a watering can in one hand and a duster in the other.

Lore smiled. He had a fuzzball in his hair.

“I figured if you were cleaning downstairs, the least we could do is help out up here.” He grinned at her, and her chest filled with warmth, washing away the last of that negative exchange with Finndryl downstairs.

She reached up and pulled the fuzzball out of his bun, flicking it away.

“Hey, I was saving that for later.”

“Mmhmm. I’m sure you can find another to replace it.”

“Lore!” Isla came bounding out of the kitchen and pulled her into a tight hug.

Lore gladly returned it. “Isla! Just the lady I wanted to see. I am in desperate need of a wash. You don’t happen to have a spare tunic I could borrow, do you?”

Isla looked down at Lore; she was more than a head taller and her shoulders were broad where Lore’s were small. It didn’t seem like she would let that stop her. “I should have some clothes in a trunk somewhere from when I was younger. As you can see, my father doesn’t get rid of much.”

Lore very wellcouldsee, but over the day, the mess had grown on her. The apartment wasn’t dirty—it was cozy. The older male really liked his books and plants.

She should bring plants downstairs to the pub. It would help the ambiance.

“Would you mind checking for me?” she asked. “And then afterward, I was wondering if you could take me to the nearest food market. The kitchen is empty downstairs, outside of the whiskey.”

“I’ll set some clothes in the bathing room for you. It shouldn’t take me long to find something.”

***

Isla and Lore walked arm in arm, each with a woven basket tucked into the crook of their arms. Though the sun had made its appearance, it had been weeks since Asher and Lore had celebrated the autumnal equinox alone in that hidden garden, and now its bright light did little to combat the blustery wind. The beautiful fallen leaves of early autumn were gone, and they’d taken their satisfying crunch with them.

The pair trudged through the soggy brown leaves of almost-winter and avoided puddles left over from that morning’s rain. Each held a cup of coffee with dollops of molten chocolate andthick, fresh cream swirled in. The heaven in a cup was topped with a peppermint candy, and Lore wanted to moan with every sip she took of the sweet, minty drink.

Despite the thick fabric of the simple dress, knitted sweater, and woolen stockings Isla had found for Lore, the wind bit right through to her skin. That aside, she’d been delighted when she’d seen what Isla had scrounged up.

The dress was plain, but the belt Isla had given her was made from exquisite leather that had been braided in an intricate pattern. It was long, and Lore slid her dagger’s holster into it. Tied to the belt were three small pouches, perfect for foraging or collecting. Lore had tucked her coin purse in one and her Adder Stone in another. The third was left empty for possibilities.

Lore and Isla decided to take a loop of the market before making any purchases, giving them a chance to check out all the prices. The vendors here were no less cutthroat than any market Lore had been to; all shouted out their prices and deals and tried hollering louder than everyone else. Their stalls were bursting with cabbages, turnips, carrots, and squashes of every color.

“Why doesn’t your father use the kitchen in the tavern? I’m sure he knows he could double or triple his business if he served foodandmead instead of using it as a storage space.”

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