Page 17 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
“You have a death wish now, Valkie?”
“It might be better…”
“Come. My little snowdrop is made of sterner stuff than that. The Valkie I know wouldn’t let a couple of rude customers dissuade her.”
“The Valkie you know is Princess Talvie. People aren’t rude to me! How do you know how I handle it?Idon’t even know, except apparently the answer isnot well.” Reluctantly, I stand and brush the dust from my skirt. “I need to go apologize to Daria and beg to keep this job if I don’t want to act on that death wish. Give me strength, Lumi.”
Her glow is warm as she returns to the necklace, the moonstone thrumming at my throat. With a gulp, I open the storage room door and brace myself.
“There you are.” Daria stops me before I can head through the kitchen door.
“Sorry. I know I shouldn’t have left. Did those men complain? Because I can apologize if you need—”
“Whoa,” Daria interrupts before I can grovel for my job. “I was just coming to check how you are.”
“Fine! I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be fine?”
Kind eyes fix me until my shoulders slump. “Take a break for your supper, Val. Give those Point Fae time to leave, and maybe we’ll keep you in the kitchen for a few more days, huh? Start you out washing dishes.”
“But I can—”
“Supper first. That’s an order, girl.”
It would be a lie to say I’m not grateful for the excuse to avoid the packed tavern while those men are still here, but my gut squirms with the feeling of impending doom.
She doesn’t trust me.
I failed.
I’m going to be kicked out, and then what will I do? I’ll have to find a new place, and what if it’s even worse than this…and what if I can’t hack it in this disguise, and then I’ll be discovered and Beron will find me and—
“Hey.” Daria waves a hand in front of my face. “Supper isn’t punishment. You’re not in trouble.”
“I’m not?”
She huffs a small laugh and guides me to a worn table in the kitchen corner to sit. “Storms, no. Those two are in everyfortnight, and I have at least one upset staff member to calm down each time. Sorry, girl, you’re not the first.”
Oh. Well, then. That should make me feel better, and it does, sort of.Drowning Deep. Why is this so overwhelming? How do the others all make it look so easy? Ludo just struts around with his acid-green hair like nothing bothers him. He’s probably never dropped a tray of glasses on a customer.
“Why do you let them return if they’re so terrible every time?”
Daria snorts, tossing her silver hair. “You say you’re from the Sundalands? Do Point and Wilder Fae mean something different down there by the Ever Seas?”
“Um, no?”
“Then you know I can’t say anything to them. Not unless I want citations piled on me that would shut me down and make me lose my inn. I’ve worked a lifetime for this dream, and I’m not about to let a couple of entitled Pointies take it from me. Never let them take your dreams or your dignity, Val.”
I can’t even process what that means. Sucking in a breath, I offer Daria a smile. “Thank you. For the meal and kind words, but also for the room and job. You have no idea how much you’re saving me. I promise I won’t cause you trouble. Er…more trouble.”
Placing a motherly hand on my shoulder, she gives me a soft look that tightens a fist around my heart. “You’re welcome, Val, though I think the thanks for saving you goes to the dashing Lark, don’t you think?”
“The…what?”
“Lark. The man who came to your aid.”
Oh! So my rescuer’s name is Lark. And dashing, huh? What is with everyone liking this guy? But wait, if she knows enough to like him, then…uh oh. Oh no.
“You know him?”
