Page 83 of I Ran Away to Evil
“It’s—”
“Master Olen.” A squirrel hopped up onto the ledge of the serving hatch window leading into the kitchen. “Orders up!”
It hopped back down at the same time two bluebirds flew out of the window with napkins, alighting on a table and cleaning it. They chirped, and Olen told them, “Lyle’s mug flew into the street.”
More chirping.
“No, I’m busy. With theking.”
Chirp.
“Well, he’s mine, so I’ll do the thing and then be right back.”
The two birds twittered, one grabbing both cleaning rags and the other flying off in search of the missing mug.
Keith cut in before Olen taught Ria the rules of tablero … a game for which he was sure she’d drink everyone under the table. Another night. “They have some lovely berry teas and a sparkling mint liliput. What do you think, Princess?”
She rolled her eyes at the title and said, “I’ll take the sparkling. And your famous stew!”
“Make that two, Olen.”
“Right away!” The bear beastman nodded. “We’ll chat later.”
Olen ambled over and slapped their order down on the ledge before grabbing several plates and bringing them out.
Someone started singing in the kitchen, and the light aria filled the tavern.
Ria leaned in close. “I thought that beastfolk couldn’t get smaller than a cat?”
“They can’t,” Keith replied. “Those aren’t beastfolk.”
A purple lizard no bigger than Keith’s hand slithered onto the window ledge, its scales shimmering despite the fading light from outside. It carried a tiny oak wand with an amethyst at the tip. With a swish, it cast a long spell, and suddenly, all of the Damp Gizzard’s lamps blazed with light.
“Wait!” Ria grabbed a hold of Keith’s tunic and exclaimed. He resisted the urge to cover his face with one hand from how adorable that was. “Is that Lavender the Lizard Wizard?”
“Yes.”
“The one and only!” Lavender bowed from her perch. She turned and slithered back into the kitchen.
“That means …”
Olen went through the kitchen door, revealing a sheer menagerie of woodland creatures inside.
“It means,” Keith finished, “that Olen married Princess Penelope of Peldeep. And now his entire restaurant is run by her animal friends.”
“He married arealprincess?”
“I’m havingdinnerwith arealprincess,” Keith reminded her. He chuckled as Henrietta almost fell out of her seat trying to get a better look. Luckily, she was still holding his sleeve.
“You know what I meant,” she countered. “Someone who can sing like a nightingale, make friends with beasts of all kinds, and overcome her traumatic past by besting evil to find her happily ever after.”
Keith just stared at her.
“I can’t sing to save my life,” she protested, her cheeks blushing pink.
“I also wouldn’t call my minionsbeasts. That’s a bit rude, even if the shoe fits.” Keith ran a finger and thumb along his chin. “Especially for Chloe.”
“Isn’t she human?” Ria questioned.
