Page 174 of A Queen's Game
After Keyain ushered them into the carriage, his guards taking their posts outside, Marietta finally got to see the man who held Elyse’s heart. To call Brynden charming would have been an understatement. The Chorys Dasian captivated her within moments; his ability to engage with strangers rivaled her own.
Even Keyain was smiling. He lowered his guard as Brynden spoke of his military days, talking with grandeur, every line poetic, gesturing with his hands. In many ways, he embodied how a royal would act.
The entire ride, Elyse’s smile didn’t fade. With Brynden’s hand clamped in her own, sitting with hips and knees touching, Marietta could read the attraction they had for one another. Elyse even seemed at ease, her eyes glittering when Brynden gazed down at her.
In stark contrast, Keyain’s only contact was his grip on her knee, opting for space between them. How funny she forgot his aversion to public displays of affection, even when alone with friends. She was his wife, and he still couldn’t hold her hand.
Sylas’s warning from the garden stuck with Marietta as she searched Brynden’s mannerisms and words. None of his actions fit that of an obsessive person, though who would pursue a lady after an ended betrothal? Was it love or obsession? Where did that line get drawn?
Pondering that distinction, Marietta gazed outside the window to the city beyond. Curious onlookers stared into thecarriage. Mostly elven, though she glimpsed a few half-elven people.
Having seen the white buildings that lined the cobblestone streets a few times now, she decided they were, in her opinion, boring. Only those with plants growing up the facades had any color. In Olkia, the buildings were anything but white.
Last summer, Marietta had convinced Tilan to paint their own a bright shade of golden yellow. Tilan hated it. At least she hadn’t painted it pink or teal, like the buildings flanking the bakery. Her heart ached at the memory of Tilan’s dislike, then acceptance, because it made her smile.
As the carriage turned onto a side street, Marietta gasped. Thick bloomed wisteria covered the corner building facade from foundation to roof. Containers flanked the wide oak door, flowers spilling out onto the cobblestone sidewalk. More blooms sat on tables outside, elven folk chatting with pastries and tea. Above the door, in clear lettering, was the business’ name.
“Stop the carriage!” Marietta said, her hand flying behind her to Keyain’s arm.
“What is it?” Keyain asked, his tone laced with annoyance.
“The Flour Shop!” Marietta turned to him with a smile. “We have to go.”
“We’re already behind schedule—”
“Keyain,” she said exasperated, “you don’t understand—stop the carriage.” Her friend, it was her shop.
With a curious smirk, Brynden hit the carriage wall, and they came to a stop
Keyain glared at him. “What are you doing?”
“Your lady wished to stop,” Brynden said, standing and offering his hand to Elyse. “So we stop. I’m always one for a spontaneous adventure. Unless Elyse wouldn’t like to go?”
She hesitated, looking from Keyain to Brynden. “Well, I’ve heard the ladies talk about The Flour Shop during teatime, and I’ve always been curious.”
Marietta could’ve kissed her.
Keyain sighed, giving in. “Alright, but make it quick. We shouldn’t be too late for dinner. And stay close to the guards.”
As they stepped out of the carriage, the guards flanked their party. Excitement bubbled in Marietta’s gut. Grysella had visited her bakery in Olkia just a year prior, waltzing into Rise Above and ordering one of everything. Marietta watched in awe as she proceeded to sit and sample them all right there.
The Flour Shop was more impressive than Grysella had led her to believe. Tall glass cases lined the walls, filled with loaves of bread, cookies, pastries, and more, all shaped to look like flowers. From the ceiling hung more wisteria, vines, and blooms. Marietta remembered questioning about how she kept bugs from the food, her answer being magic.
Her hand grazed the dark-stained wooden border on the glass cases, ones enchanted like her own back in Olkia. The Flour Shop had higher quality cabinets with fine wood that matched the countertop by the register, though Marietta paid a similar price for her basic ones. The extra cost for magical items in Enomenos was ridiculous.
A door from the back opened, revealing a spindly elven woman whose curly black hair fought against its tie. “Hello, welcome—” A look of confusion crossed her face, then her eyes grew wide with recognition. She stopped mid-step, dropping the rag from her hands. “Marietta Reid?”
Marietta winced at the name, hearing Keyain exhale beside her. That would be a later problem.
“My gods, Marietta!” Grysella came running from behind the counter, Marietta walking to meet her. The two embraced in a hug, laughing. “Of all the people I’d expect to walk intomy shop.” She stepped back, holding Marietta’s hands. “Look at you! And—” Her attention fell on the group lingering at the entrance, the smile fading from her face.
“My husband and friends.” Marietta turned, gesturing to them.
“Well, welcome to The Flour Shop. It’s not every day our Minister of Protection visits,” Grysella said, her smile forced. So she knew what happened to Tilan and her. During the few weeks she had stayed in Olkia, Marietta and Tilan met her almost every night, the three growing close. During the day, Grysella would stop by and experiment in the kitchen.
Marietta grabbed her arm, eyes wide. “I tried the blue cheese!”
“As did I,” Grysella said, shifting to put her hand on her hip. “And how did yours turn out?”
