I picked up one of the golden, flaky treats.The layers crackled beneath my fingers.
“How much for two?”I asked, already reaching for the small pouch of coins tucked into my sash.
The old woman smiled, revealing a mouth with more gaps than teeth.“For you, three coppers, but only because your eyes remind me of my granddaughter.”
I smiled, handing over the coins and took a second pastry for Theo.The moment the crisp outer layer gave way to a soft, spiced centre, I melted against the edge of the stall, savouring the flavours.
I moaned, my eyes falling closed.A small shower of crumbs fell from my mouth.“This issogood.”
Silence.
I opened my eyes to find Theo frozen, his pastry hovering near his mouth and his eyes wider than I’d ever seen them.A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
“What?”I asked, brushing my chin with the back of my hand.
He blew out a puff of air, somewhere between a laugh and a groan as he shook his head.
“Uh… nothing.”With an exaggerated casualness that fooled no one, he added.“Do that again.”
It took me all of two seconds to realise what he meant.My face scrunched in disgust.I jabbed him hard in the ribs with my elbow, forcing a wheeze out of him.
“You’re gross,” I said, snatching the pastry from his hand.In one fluid motion, I ducked beneath his outstretched arm and bolted into the sea of people.
“Elira!”
Theo’s echoing shout spurred me on to run faster.I took a victorious bite of my stolen treat as I disappeared into the labyrinth of the market, my laughter trailing behind me like a ribbon in the wind.
Men.So easy to distract.
It didn’t take Theo long to find me.He was breathless, with hands braced on his hips and a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his brow.His chest heaved as he pushed through a cluster of women bargaining over dyed silk.
“You’re mean, you know that?”He said as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, leaving a smudge of dust across his skin.
I glanced over my shoulder, grinning as I slipped through a narrow alleyway.The earthen clay walls cast deep shadows against the cobalt sky.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, taking another bite of the pastry.
Theo quickened his pace, his leather sandals slapping against the packed earth.
“If you wanted me all hot and breathless, all you had to do was ask,” he teased.
I made an exaggerated retching sound that drew annoyed glances from nearby vendors.Theo shoved me playfully, but before I could return the favour, my body tensed—stomach dropping to my feet as if I’d missed a step walking downstairs.
I grabbed Theo’s arm, my nails digging into his skin as I pulled him toward a narrow gap between two buildings.
Too late.
“Elira!”
Damn it.
I released his arm and shot him a sharp glare.“Don’t say anything, or I will kill you,” I hissed.
Theo, the insufferable traitor, had the audacity to raise his hands in mock surrender.His eyes darted between me and the approaching figure.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he murmured, rocking back on his heels.“This is far too entertaining.”
With gritted teeth, I turned back around, forcing my features into something that didn’t scream regret and desperate desire to flee.
