Page 52 of King Elijah (The Zemiran Chronicles 2)

“Mayberry?” She gasped. “You came all the way up the mountain from Mayberry? In the ill weather we had last night?”

He nodded. “My home’s wood stove was broken, and I was almost frozen to death last night. I could really use some shelter until I can find some fuel.”

The woman held out her hand, gesturing to him to come inside the shop. “Of course.”

The black-haired woman was short, with busty hips and a narrow nose. Her hair was scrunched up in a high bun and she had a blue scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. Her dress reached her ankles, looking as though it had been worn and repaired numerous times.

“I’m Archer,” he lied, giving her his middle name.

“Nice to meet you, Archer,” she said, walking around the corner and lighting the stove to heat up the water for what he assumed would be the tea.

“I’m Zelda.” She pointed to a closed door in the back of the shop. “If you need to wash up, we’re one of the few businesses in Heyerberg that has running water,” she said. “I can make you some tea now. On the house.”

Elijah smiled. “Tea would be pleasantly appreciated. Thank you, miss.”

She gave him a warm smile, pulled out a tea leaf jar, and turned to the stove again, the kettle now emitting a steady column of steam.

Elijah looked around and then back to her. “I saw a woman on the trail on my way up here. She looked—” He paused and thought carefully about his next words. “She looked injured. By the time I rounded the corner to help her, she was gone. I hope she’s okay. I—”

The woman handed him the hot tea in a blue ceramic mug.

“A woman,” she said. “Hmm, I haven’t seen any woman. What does she look like?”

Elijah carefully sipped the steaming hot liquid and placed it back on the counter, right as a bell chimed behind him and the door opened. An elderly couple walked in, dusting off their shoes on the doormat.

Elijah moved aside from the counter, letting them approach to order their drinks.

“White hair, tall, skin the color of the fallen snow but lips as red as fine wine.” He stopped, recounting more of her beauty. “Her eyes are the color of the most beautiful sapphire gem you will ever see, and her smile is like—”

He stopped again, shaking his head, thinking to himself. But behind that beauty, she has the temper of a wild beast and a mouth like a peasant thief.

Elijah hadn’t realized he was staring off into the distance, no longer speaking with the woman.

“Hello?” Zelda said, handing off two coffees to the couple, who thanked her and stepped back, leaving him alone with the woman again. “Are you alright? You really look like you need to rest.”

Elijah laughed, meeting her eyes again. “I’m sorry, you’re right. Is there an inn around here?” he asked softly, giving her a charming smile until she mimicked his features, grinning back.

“Yes. The bright yellow building at the end of the town center. It’s only a half-mile down the road. You can’t miss it. Maybe that is where the little lost woman went.” She winked and gestured for another couple to move forward. Elijah hadn’t realized four other patrons stood in the line, waiting to order their morning brew.

“Thank you, Zelda,” he said, stepping back and placing the now empty mug on a table before leaving the shop.

Elijah removed his gloves and placed his hands over his cheeks, feeling the warmth, and took in another breath of the crisp air.

“Where are you?” he said quietly to the wind.

He turned to see more of the village and began to walk. The sun was bright enough to shine over the city. The shops were now all open and people were moving about from store to store. Some older, some children—they were all human, at least in appearance.

The yellow inn came into view as he approached the grove of trees that circled a glass gazebo at the end of the square. It was a two-story building with yellow siding, white shutters, and a picket fence. The outside sign read Giselle’s Inn.

Elijah walked through the gate and up the steps, opening the unlocked door.

The warmth of the inn was inviting, the heat from the fireplace moving through the hallway. The walls were covered in cream-colored paper with purple, dried lilies bordering the doorways. A straight stairwell led up to another hallway, and Elijah assumed that was where the rooms were.

“I’ll be right there!” a man’s gravelly voice called from the back.

A moment later, an older man poked his head around the corner, holding a bread basket, which he then placed on the console table by the stairs.

“I’m just doing my rounds for breakfast for my guest. How can I help you, sir?”

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