Page 144 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
“As would he!” Maggie shot over her dainty shoulder, winking a fringed eye. Her aery, knee-length dress shimmied about her round bottom as she scuttled, filling orders. “He often needs reminding!”
I took the handle of my mug. “Let me take a wild guess—you two are married.”
“Astute of you, lady,” the feyr said. “Can I presume you’re married as well?”
“Oh, no, I’m not.”
And I won’t be for a while, I hope.
“I just—” I paused to smirk at my ale, thinking of all the romances I’d read in my life. “I just have a knack for picking out couples. Your banter tipped me off.”
Maggie sent a horn of ale sliding to her last patron, a green-bearded giant in an archer’s hat, and twirled to her beau’s side. “Interesting gift, that. I’ve not met a love granger afore. Are you here to make a match?” Her sapphire eyes swept the dining room. “Who?”
I blinked, instantly equating love grangers with Cupid.
“I, uh, was kind of here for myself tonight.” Though I simpered at first, I then cleared my throat and sat straight. Raised my chin. A vixen wouldn’t be sheepish in looking for a date. Nor would a love granger, I suspected. And how did I know I wasn’t one?
“Though I’m not looking for love, if you know what I mean.” I waggled my eyebrows like a locker room hero and flashed her a sideways grin.
My Goddess, where did I learn to do that?
Maggie cooed in a glee that was nearly an overreaction.
Her husband chortled at my surprise. “Apologies for my ceyla, lady. After her sister married and moved to the next village, she’s been hard pressed to find suitable prattle.” He took up the tray Maggie had first carried over and dumped its cruddy contents into a large bucket of suds. “She’ll no doubt natter your ears off if you keep seated.”
Maggie giggled at his teasing, her cheeks dimpling.
“Shut it, Rye.” She swatted him before facing me. “What’s your taste?” She leaned on the counter, perusing her patrons. “Many of our finer regulars are here—beyns, mostly—though none as lofty in countenance as you.”
I blinked.Lofty in countenance?I supposed she meant my Danann features. Did they really smack that hard of wealth and privilege?
“Feyrs are more my thing,” I said, her casual acceptance of homosexuality refreshing after growing up in the USA, where gay marriage was still illegal. At least it still was when I’d left it. I hoped that had changed.
“Ah, then I can recommend several eligible swains what’ll be visiting our pub this night. One, I’ve heard tell is fair marvelous with coupling.”
I bit my lip on an immatureteeheeand took my first sip of ale. A party in my mouth, it was much sweeter than I’d expected. Was that honey I detected? Goddess, when had I last ingested anything containing sugar?
Still waiting for me to describe my ideal date while I debated how to subtly describe what I knew of Howlite, Maggie’s eyes caught on something over my shoulder. Her yellow face glowed like a star. “Speak of the devil!”
I tried not to jolt off my toadstool when a now familiar laugh caressed the back of my neck. My hairs there stood.
Pete slid onto the stool beside mine. “You know better than to speak of me, Magnolia, if you wish me to remain in the shadows.”
It took me a dumb moment to realize the swain Maggie had been hyping as the marvelous coupler was Pete. Which made my tummy flutter.
Bad tummy.
Maggie squeezed the roughened bear paw Pete rested on the counter. “Pete! Glad to see you, fella! I thought that was you I saw by the pawner’s this eve! Told you, Rye! Lookie who’s here!”
“Mother’s love, I didn’t anticipate you showing tonight!” Rye flapped with quick grace to Maggie’s side. “Last I heard, you were long for the road again.”
“Aye, well, I needed a wee break,” Pete replied. “Sionna’s fair tuckered as well. Finding myself in this neck of the woods, where a sporting card match and several pints awaited, I headed here straight away.”
I envied how easily his lies came, slick as oil, never stumbling. Despite his penchant for brutal honesty.
“Happy to have you here,” Rye said.
“Happy to be here.” Pete withdrew his seed purse and untied it. “Care to add me into the tournament?”
