Page 82 of One Last Promise
The breakfast spread was amazing.Cured meats, cheeses, all kinds of colourful fruit, and sweet breads lay before us.
The juice in my goblet tasted like oranges.“We freshly squeezed the oranges.It’s quite delicious as a breakfast drink,” Darce commented, noticing the surprise on my face.
“The only thing we squeeze are our grapes to make wine.Orange juice.What a clever idea.”Taking another large sip, I continued to eat the incredible buffet.
Once my hunger was satisfied, I gazed over the clothing options Darce had acquired for me.There was a stunning, black lace dress, an outfit that looked like leather trousers with a thin fitted tunic, and a skimpy outfit that I was pretty sure was for Darce’s eyes only in this chamber.When I picked up the leather and tunic, he gave me a sly smile.
“You knew I’d pick this one?”I questioned, putting the trousers on.
“They are similar to your fighting leathers.I thought you would prefer those over the dress.”
“It seems you know me pretty well.”Darce moved, helping me do up the last few buttons on my tunic.
“Nyx is going to meet us near the offering temple.I’ll only be a few hours with Nox.You’ll have my undivided attention when I am done.”He pecked my lips and then took my hand in his.“If anyone asks, you’re an orphan from Ustavar.It’s a fishing village.You prepare the fish that gets sent to Eallarim.We met when I saved you from drowning around a hundred years ago.I’ve trained you in battle, but you’re not interested in being in the main army.Okay?”
“It’s lucky that you taught me how to prepare a fish in the Barren Lands.”
“And you complained, telling me it was a skill you wouldneveruse.”
“Asshole,” I teased, allowing him to lead me out of his chamber.
****
IHAD TO REMEMBER THATI was disguised and would not be recognized.Keeping my eyes down, I tried to control my panic at the sight of all the Noxlin in front of me.
“Relax, Starshine.They are looking at me more than you,” Darce reassured me, pulling me closer against his side.“It’s not everyday I walk hand in hand with a female.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t hold hands.”
He let out a loud laugh.“Not a chance.I don’t want some other Noxlin trying to make a claim on you.”I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.
The cobbled streets were lined with houses made out of wooden beams and clay.The sky was a purple haze of twilight.
“Is this as light as it gets?”I asked as my nostrils flared with the smell of fresh bread.Turning the corner, we came upon an array of shops, all in different style buildings.A large, black stone church lay at the end of the street, taking centre stage.
“Yes, this isdaylightfor us.It’s the same in Ustavar.Remember that.It gets lighter once we reach our side of the mountains.”
“This place is incredible.”A baker’s establishment was on my right, displaying all manner of cakes and bread in the window.The more I looked, the more places came into view.There was a place with shoes, jewellery, paintings, flowers, and clothes.“What is the purpose of this place?”
“It’s for pleasure, and a way for my kind to do business with each other using their talent.Everything comes at asmallprice.A few coins for a tasty cake or a new pretty pair of shoes.We call them emporiums.”
“The king and queen don’t demandallthe gold?”
“Of course not.They have enough of their own.To be honest, my parents spend more gold coins here than any other Noxlin.”Royalty that shared their wealth was a concept I had never heard of.
“What about your offerings to Holy Ether?If your kind are spending all the wealth, what can you possibly offer her?”
“We offer our time and prayers.On special holidays, we make offerings, but that’s only a few times a year.”
“You don’t do rituals every few days?”
“There has never been a need to,” Darce admitted, looking into the crowd.My eyes found Nyx the same moment he did.“Have you got your cover story memorised?”
“Orphan from Ustavar.You saved me from drowning, and I gut fish.”Darce was still chuckling at me as Nyx approached.
“He finally let you out of his bedchamber, I see.”Nyx gave me a wicked grin.“Please tell me you haven’t been locked up there since our last meeting.”
“Lora has been home since then to sort out her affairs.She’ll be our guest for a month.”
