Page 77 of Tusks, Tails & Teacakes
Lira did believe that, even though learning that her gran had kept so many secrets from her had been a shock. She’d wanted to hold onto her memories of her gran as they were, warm and sunny, but now she feared that every time she thought about her gran, the thoughts would be tainted by everything she hadn’t known.
Lira gave her head a shake and shoved her feet under the brazenly floral coverlet, as Sass snuggled deeper beneath her own covers.
“So, what did Korl say when he found out you were a rogue?”
“What do you think he said?”
Sass gave her a crooked grin. “Not much.”
“I will say that I’m starting to get pretty good at deciphering his different grunts and growls.”
“We do love a good growl.”
Both women laughed, and Lira reached over and blew out the candle.
“At least I know that he and Val are just friends,” Lira said through a yawn.
“How do you know that?”
Lira punched her pillow a few times to get it to the right shape. “Val told me. They’re best friends but that’s all.”
“I could have told you that,” Sass muttered through the shadowy darkness only lit by the firelight.
“I think you did tell me that.”
Sass sighed heavily. “If you want a guy who’s going to profess his love to you and sweep you off your feet, I don’t think Korl is it. Your friend Vaskel would probably be that guy. He looks the type to be a feet-sweeper-offer.”
Lira laughed darkly. “You have no idea.”
“I think I can guess, and I think he’d be more than happy to have you be the object of his attentions.” Sass sat up in bed again and propped herself up on one elbow, her face partially illuminated by the dying fire. “But I also think if you wanted the Tiefling, you wouldn’t be here.”
“Vaskel and I are nothing but friends,” Lira said.
“Smart.” Sass flopped back onto her pillow. “I think he’d be a whole lot of work.”
Lira chuckled at this, thinking of Vaskel’s dramatic shifts in mood. No, the passionate but volatile fighter had never been her type.
She stared at the beams in the ceiling. With everything that was going on and as much change as had happened in her life, the last thing she should be thinking about was love. But as she drifted to sleep, Lira hoped it was what occupied her dreams.
Forty-Six
Lira blewa strand of hair off her forehead as she pulled a tray of hand pies from the oven, setting in on the top with a clatter. She fed Crumpet an overly browned corner of crust as he sat patiently on the counter, his soft chittering providing a comforting backdrop.
Then the doors swung open, Crumpet flew to the hanging copper pots, and Sass strode into the kitchen.
“They’re here.”
The dwarf didn’t need to explain further.Theywere Cali and Iris, and as previously planned, they’d come to try Iris's solvent to dissolve themortar.
“Cal is keeping Durn distracted at the bar while Iris sneaks down below.”
Knowing Durn, Cali had the harder task.
Lira wiped her hands on the front of her apron and gestured to the cooling pies. “The second batch is ready, so I’m going to pop down with Iris.”
Sass bustled forward and used the knit short scarves to move the hand pies from the hot pans to a large wooden tray. “I’ll get these served while you two try your luck downstairs. Folks who are busy eating and drinking are plenty distracted.”
Lira hoped she was right. She met Iris outside the cellar door, and Sass passed them on her way to the great room with the tray held overhead. Iris held a lantern at the ready, and her dress pockets bulged.
