Future Calisa problem,she told herself.
“Maybe sometime after the reopening, we can come back to the Night Market?” Jack suggested. “Not for any purpose. But just, you know, as a date? A second date. I mean, if this counts as a first date.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
Together they walked through the portal back to the inn.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
At dawn, Calisa opened the closet door and walked through to the Night Market. Stars twinkled overhead and the endless music of the market drifted up to her. True to his word, Rin was waiting with baskets strapped like saddlebags to his horse half. Behind him were a half-dozen others carrying crates, baskets, and bags.
“You did it,” Calisa said.
“Did you doubt?” Rin asked.
She smiled. “No.”
Chattering, they all followed her back through the portal. “Thank you for coming,” she repeated to each of them as they arrived, laden with far more supplies than they’d requested.
“Pleasure to be here.” “ ’Course. It’s Auntie Zee.” “What a charming place.” “My pleasure.” “Happy to.” “Glad to do it.” “Hope it helps.” “The figs are fresh. Wait a few days on the peaches.” “Anyone bring the starseed?” “Hey, watch your pack.” “Where should I put these?” “Glad to help.” “It’s an honor.” Thesmells of baked bread and spices and flowery fruits that she couldn’t name saturated the air, and the chatter of the voices blended into a pleasant hum. She’d never imagined so many vendors would come. Auntie Zee was going to be…Probably pissed, but she’ll live.
Once they were all through the portal and crammed shoulder to shoulder in the guest room, Calisa lifted her voice. “If you’ll follow me…” She led the way out into the hall, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. She felt a bit like she was leading a parade, especially with the clatter of Rin’s horse hooves on the stairs. All they needed was their own marching band.
“What is all this?” Auntie Zee cried. She was at the stove, an apron wrapped around her waist, stirring a pot of golden syrup that smelled like honey and lavender.
Smiling broadly, Rin trotted across the kitchen and kissed her on the cheek. “Happy reopening day, Auntie Zee,” he wished her. He then deposited his baskets of sugar-covered pastries on the butcher block island.
The other vendors repeated the greeting, each kissing her on the cheek and delivering baskets of ruby and golden fruit, fat berries, fresh-baked breads, honeyed pastries, packets of spiced meat, and jars of pearly beverages. Soon the parcels, jars, baskets, and crates were piled as high as the rafters, and the sweet and savory smells were thick in the air. Inhaling, Calisa thought it was like being inside the most delicious café in the world.In many worlds,she corrected herself.
Auntie Zee was glaring at Rin. “I can’t afford all of this! Calisa, what did you do?”
“All I did was say yes.” Calisa stepped sideways so that atower of baskets blocked Auntie Zee’s view of her. She truthfully had not expected the vendors to all be so generous. She marveled at the bounty. This was phenomenal. Their guests would feast!
“We will take no payment,” Rin said.
Auntie Zee let out a strangled noise halfway between a yelp and a snort, and Calisa peeked out around a bread sculpture of a swan to see what she’d do next.
“We will also take no objections and no refusals,” Rin said, grinning at her. “Our gift to you for years of patronage.”
She put her hands on her hips. “I am not a charity.”
Clasping his hands to his heart, Rin trotted forward. His hooves clicked on the kitchen floor. “Let us do this, dearest Auntie Zee. It is truly our pleasure. You have touched each of our lives, and it’s finally our chance to thank you.”
Others echoed him, each of them repeating that it was their pleasure and honor.
Before Auntie Zee could marshal up an argument or refuse the gifts entirely, Rin gave her a jaunty wave and trotted out of the kitchen. The stream of vendors filed out after him.
Hurrying ahead of them, Calisa scurried up the stairs to the guest room. Thanking them each profusely, she held the closet door open as they went through the portal, Rin last.
At the closet, he winked at her. “Don’t let her discourage you,” he said. “She needs you. And she’ll appreciate you eventually.”
“Thanks,” Calisa said. “For…all of this.”
“You’ll make a great witch of the inn, when it’s your time.”
Before she could do anything but gape at that, Rin trotted through. His tail flicked before it was swallowed by the iridescent swirl. She stared at the portal for a moment more, and then she decided to leave it open in case any other vendors wanted to come through to deliver gifts, before she headed back downstairs to the kitchen.
Auntie Zee was waiting for her. “Calisa. What did you do?”
