Page 39 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

His deep voice unsure, he said, “I ordered breakfast for us. Hope that’s all right.”

“Oh. Okay,” I said, plopping my pack on the ground.

“Well, more like Saho told me what we were getting,” he clarified. “But it sounded like something you’d like, so I didn’t protest.”

“I’ll eat anything right now,” I said. I grabbed a mug, then reached across the table for the teapot. Barra moved at the same time I did, and our hands banged together.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said.

“Nothing to be sorry about,” I said, holding out my cup. He poured the fragrant black tea to the brim.

After a strained pause, he said, “You look very lovely this morning.”

“Thank you, Barra.”

“And those earrings are beautiful—your work?”

“They are, yes,” I said, touching the metal tips of my ears. I gazed around the room, drinking my tea and avoiding his eyes.

There was an awkwardness between us that I hated. I could tell it was coming from me, but I couldn’t seem to stop it. I just wanted to go back to when we bickered with each other, or when we’d chatted easily about things. Barra seemed so uncomfortable now, his brow furrowed and arm muscles clenched.

“El, is there something—” he started to say, just as Saho descended with two massive plates. They placed them in front of us with a flourish. Each was overflowing with big fluffy pancakes, covered in a cheerful yellow compote and whipped cream.

“Morning, beautiful!” they sang to me. “Chocolate chip and sunberry pancakes today. House special. Tell me how much you love them.”

I cut a bite and chewed. “Mmm, so delicious, Saho, thank you. Oh—and the lemon cake last night was wonderful too,” I said, remembering what Legus had warned. “We enjoyed it very much.”

“I bet you did,” they said mischievously, eyes twinkling. “I heard you enjoying it when I came up to collect the plates later.”

“Scheming trickster. Menace,” I reprimanded fondly. Barra was blushing, that dark pink shade making my heart squeeze. He was so cute.

Saho returned to the kitchen. I dug into my stack of pancakes. In the corner of my eye, I could see Barra doing the same, keeping his head down.

We demolished our breakfasts. When he was done, every neat bite tucked away and crumbs wiped from his mouth, Barra excused himself to go ready Pebble. I lingered with another pot of tea.

Maybe I should stay here for a little while. Just a week or two. Saho and Legus were so kind, and I felt sure I could convince them to give me a bit of short-term work for room and board. This was one of the nicest, friendliest places I’d ever stayed, and I could easily see myself cleaning rooms with Legus and chatting with guests. Gossiping with Saho in the kitchens or weeding the garden and learning more about their strange plants.

I’d been intending to stick around Povon for longer, before Felsith and my temper hastened me back on the road. So I found myself wanting to rest somewhere for a bit more. The new plan had been to do that in Old Orchard, but if I stayed here, Barra would have to continue without me. We could say our goodbyes now.

I wouldn’t have to deal with the sudden discomfort between us or the jumbled mess of feelings I had around him now. He wouldn’t fall for me, and I wouldn’t have to disappoint him. He’d take Pebble to Old Orchard, finish his business there, and maybe I’d see him briefly again on his journey back home. It would be a clean break.

Ignoring the sharp twinge in my chest, I nodded to myself, knocking the last gulp of tea back and slamming down the cup. This was the right decision. Time to find Legus or Saho and see what they thought. I rose, making my way toward the kitchen.

“All saddled and packed up,” Barra called. He ducked in the doorway, coming to me. “We can set off whenever you’re ready, Elikki.”

I considered him, suddenly exasperated. How dare he look at me like that, with such warmth and affection. And the way he says my name—El-eee-key—softly wrapping the syllables around his tongue with that deep bell of a voice. It was unfair.

He waited, expression growing worried again as I stood there watching him. I wanted to close the space between us and pull him down by the neck, smooth those anxious lines away from his forehead. He couldn’t leave. My chest squeezed again at the thought, painfully this time.

That was a bad sign. Time to end this. “I was thinking…” I said, fiddling with my bracelets.

Barra came closer. “Yes?” he said.

I cleared my throat, scrambling to put the right words together.

Just then, Saho bustled up, arms straining to hold a large covered basket. “Provisions! Travelers need snacks for the road.”

Barra lifted the heavy basket up for them. “Saho, it’s barely a day’s journey. This is too much.” He pulled some coins from his purse, which the half-elf waved off.