Page 82 of Lana Pecherczyk
Since Cielo had somehow convinced Nikan to forgo the Rosebud Courtesans in favor of general mischief, and dawn approached, they should probably find their new friend somewhere to live. Manfri’s backup plan was taking himhome to the family roost, but doubt flickered in Nikan’s eyes whenever he mentioned it.
As they passed a late-night clothing merchant, bright buzzing manabee sconces drew their attention to a faceless mannequin in a store window that wore leather battle gear. It was too clean and pristine, but something about it had them inching closer.
“It reminds me of a Guardian’s uniform.” Manfri touched the glass.
Cielo spat at their feet. “Fuckin’ cunts. Taxing us coin for nothing.”
They all knew the stories—Guardians were just puppets of the Prime and the highest level of party poopers known to fae. Crows hated them because they enforced the no-metal rule, and some of the greatest treasures were made of gold, silver, steel, and copper. The list went on. It didn’t matter that they were cut from the Well for holding it. As Nikan said, crows found ways to carry it without being affected. But as much as they wanted to hate the Order, the leather battle gear called to them. They couldn’t look away.
Guardians were free to hold any treasure they wanted, including those made of forbidden substances.
“Do you think it’s for sale?” Nikan asked quietly.
Manfri glimpsed movement inside the shop. Two females—a busty blonde with rosy cheeks laughed at something a dark-haired elf said. Likely young, still getting into the kind of trouble Manfri excelled at cultivating.
A wry grin formed on his lips. “Why don’t we go in and ask?”
Before Cielo could protest, he dragged Nikan inside by his sleeve. A porcelain bell dinged above them as they squeezed through the doorframe. Giggling and fire-warmed air greeted them, scented with lavender, cotton, and candle wax.
Both females looked up, conversation halting. Manfri resisted puffing his chest when their eyes widened with appreciation. His mother had always teased him and Cielo, saying they’d steal hearts with their faces but invite murder with their mischief. And now they’d added Nikan to their group, right when Manfri had been furious about Cielo moving on.
Ask the Well, and it would provide…
After introductions and flirtations that made Cielo’s eyes roll and Manfri’s blood heat, the shopgirls—Adeline and Selene—agreed to help outfit Nikan with proper clothing befitting a princeling. One thing led to another, and soon Manfri found himself on a chaise with Selene while Adeline took Nikan’s measurements with increasingly bold hands.
Somewhere in the background, as Nikan looked his way with bewildered excitement, Manfri noticed Cielo inching toward the exit like the thief he was.
“Where the fuck are you going?” Manfri caught him at the door.
Cielo rounded on him. “It’s late.”
“Past your bedtime, hatchling?” he teased.
“Three’s a crowd.”
“I’m sure they don’t mind sharing.”
“I do.”
“Fine. You take one of them. I’ll watch.” Manfri waggled his brows.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“I won’t leave Nikan alone. They’ll eat him alive. Probably swipe all his new coin while he’s getting his cock sucked. Besides, he deserves tonight to end like this. Didn’t you see the look on his face?”
Cielo folded his arms. “So, you wanting to join in has nothing to do with it?”
Manfri’s eyes crinkled. “Maybe.”
Best word ever.
“Whatever. Like I said, I need to get home.”
“Whatever,” Manfri snarked back, even though he knew Cielo had sacrificed a lot tonight. He was probably still sore from his wounded shoulder. “As if this has nothing to do with your secret hoe.”
“Take that back.” Blue lightning flashed in Cielo’s eyes.
“The part about the secret. Or the part where she’s a hoe?”
