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He devoured the orange, then looked up at the tree in a silent request. I plucked a few more, ignoring the growing whispers around.
Dario ate two more whole oranges before his stomach was satisfied and then requested more for his pockets.
“You can have as many as you want,” I assured him, plucking another orange to split with Daphne. “And then we can head back to the palace. I’ll make sure they set you up withproperfood.”
Dario stared at me for a moment when I said the word palace.
And then hepoofedout of existence.
Chapter XXIII
Atmyobviouspanicover the disappearing child, one of the onlookers explained that the “child” was an imp. Forever young, forever hungry. They had been unconcerned and then quickly scattered upon my distress.
There might have been some growling involved on my side.
There was nothing more to be done, so Daphne and I continued on our quest to find the stall. Blue tents were in surprisingly short supply. Up and down the aisles we went, scanning, searching.
It was halfway through the afternoon when we found a tent matching Phaidros’s description. Midnight blue fabric swooped low, covering all but the narrowest opening. I pushed the material back with my hand and walked in.
The fabric shut behind me with a snap. I spun at the sound. No Daphne.
Did Phaidros lead me to a trap?I pulled and pushed, but it didn’t budge.
“One customer at a time, dear.”
I turned back and was face-to-face with a woman who was far, far too close.
Her hair was spun silver, the strands braided back with several wiry strands falling out to frame her face. Her skin was wrinkled as if she was days away from death, yet her eyes were lively, sparkling in the limited light of the tent.
“You’re Hia.” It came out as an accusation.
“Indeed.” She stepped back and extended a bangled hand in my direction. “And you’re the former queen.”
“Debatable. Let my companion in.”
She cackled. “Hardly a debate when you’re giving orders like you’re in any position to make demands.” She moved around the space, unconcerned.
It was unlike any of the other stalls I’d seen. Some were open, some covered in fabric, but most had a similar structure. A long table and chair for the merchant to use. Hia’s tent was chaos. Wooden shelves that looked far too permanent for a tent surrounded all walls, save the small gap of the fabric I’d come in, as well as a door in the back that couldn’t possibly go anywhere without the use of magic. The shelves were lined with everything from worn books to trinkets I couldn’t name.
“In the marketplace, all are equals, kings and peasants alike, if they wish to make bargains. And in my domain, I deal with one bargainer at a time.” She cast a knowing look toward me while caressing a shelf. “You seek one, do you not?”
“I do.” I disliked being separated from Daphne, but so far, it seemed Hia was more eccentric than murderous.
Then again, it was Hell. Lowering your guard for even a moment was always a mistake. “I’m here on behalf of Phaidros to pick up some seeds.”
If Hia was surprised by the request, she didn’t show it. “Naturally. I have what you—or I should say, the demon—desire. It’s a matter of payment on your side.”
“I don’t suppose you take gold coins?”
At the wry shake of her head, I sighed. It was never so easy.
“What do you want then?”
Hia looked at me, appraising. “What to ask of our former queen?”
“I make a mean pumpkin bread.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, if by “mean” you meant “gag-inducing.”
Another cackle. “I’ll decline that this time. No, my price for what you seek is this. You must be bound to one form for three days. You will not be able to shift, no matter what you attempt.”
