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Dahlia stepped over strewn hay to reach the cobbled path. “It’s a fun fair.”
Calista wiggled again. “I have on so many layers.”
Piper nodded. “You are authentic.”
“Mead booth.” Dahlia beelined to the liquor, holding up her skirts so her embroidered hem didn’t trip her.
Piper joined her, eyed the plastic cups, and resisted saying inauthentic, although she mouthed the word.
Dahlia handed her and Calista a cup. Apple cider with a kick of liquor.
Dahlia took a big drink and grinned. “Tastes real, right?”
“Ah sure, plastic was all the rage at the courts of Henry the Eighth.”
Dahlia pursed her lips.
Piper relented. “Yum.”
Dahlia pointed at the booth. “They have horns to drink from if you really want that authentic flavor. Looks like they’re straight out of the 1500s, scrubbed only by hand and animal lard soap.”
“I’m good.” Piper drank a big, appreciative sip from the clean modern cup.
* * *
Mikah, Liam, and Kiernan walked past a booth full of jousting lances. Kiernan slowed.
Piper was here somewhere, in a corset. Loads of corset-loving randos staring at her. He’d find her. Not that he knew what he’d say when he did, he just knew he hadn’t liked how they’d left things.
“I could joust.” Kiernan selected a blunted pole from the wooden barrel and tested its weight.
“You buy that, you’re going to have to carry that giant-ass stick around all day.” Liam grabbed the hilt of one despite his words.
Kiernan jabbed at Liam, making him jump back. “I’m just saying, I could get the job done. Balance, pinpoint accuracy, an eye to taking down the enemy, that’s me in a nutshell.”
Erratic maneuvers with good outcomes were more Kiernan’s specialty. Mikah did a 360 degree turn. No sign of Piper. “Are there any more photos that show her location?”
“Nope.” Kiernan let go of the pole and waved his arm in front of his body like the shopkeeper had. “You have chosen to partake in a difficult quest, fair peasant. But with your noble kings to guide you, you shall prevail.”
Tights gave him the right to rule? Mikah arched his eyebrows. Let’s hear some leading then. “Not hearing any ideas.”
“Bianca wanted us to put those locate-each-other apps on our mobiles.” Liam shuddered. “You could do that to Piper’s phone, and we’d find her easier when you screw up again.”
Mikah ignored the jab. A locator app. He’d be down with that. He didn’t want the app on his own phone though, but he could understand putting the app on Piper’s if she wanted. Would she permit that? He’d have to ask.
Kiernan got the vendor’s business card, and they went back down the steps.
* * *
Piper leaned over the balcony, getting some air. Outside, wearing a costume with multiple layers was perfect; inside, the air-condition-less structures were warm. Calista held her place inside, at the student sign-in line. Hot temperatures didn’t bother her.
A group of guys walked past, tall, built, and turning heads. Hockey players? Mikah?
CHAPTER 26
Ugh, she had hockey players on the brain.
Dahlia joined her. “Getting some air?”
