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“Wonky?” Peter asked.
“I set fires a lot,” she admitted and ate another brownie.
“Fires?” Peter swallowed hard. “How many brownies have you had?”
She shook the empty box. “All of them.” She looked between the two. “Was I not supposed to?”
Gage just smiled. “Visiting Dirk Vi’Eirlindol should be very entertaining.”
Peter handed the other two boxes and a small sachet to Gage. “It might be just what he needs.”
Gage accepted the boxes, then held a hand down for her, helping her to stand.
“Peter, thank you so very much for the brownies. I hope you get your espresso machines soon,” Zoe said, looping her arm through her mate’s.
“Enjoy the fritters,” he said, waving goodbye.
As they emerged into the afternoon sun, Zoe sighed happily. “Those were amazing! I can’t wait to try other things. The cheesy things from lunch were to die for.” She swung their hands back and forth between them.
“You radiate joy,” Gage said softly.
“I’m happy.”
“It’s more than that,” he indicated to the people who were shopping around them and the merchants at their stalls. They were watching her and also smiling. “I think they need someone like you right now. You remind them that there is joy in this world.”
Zoe realized that he was referring to the murders, and it dawned on her that many of the people around her were actually grieving. “Gage,” she said, feeling panicked.
“You’ve done nothing wrong. In fact, you’ve done something wonderful. Don’t let worry dim your smile, my darling. You may be smiling for others and not even know it.”
“I wish I could help them,” she fretted.
“You are. Fixing the lights and taking away that worry will do wonders for the people,” he said and pulled her close enough to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “After we visit Vi’Eirlindol, we can go to Dav’s, and you can relax for a bit. How’s that?”
“That sounds perfect,” she admitted. She thought of the trip to the warrior villa yet to come. “Gage, the warriors won’t eat my brownies, will they?”
“Not if they wish to continue breathing, they won’t,” Gage promised, smiling brightly.
“Good.” Because now that she knew how delicious it was, she wasn’t going to give it up.
*****
Zoe watched as Gage knocked on a very impressive-looking dark oak door. Moments later, the door opened, and a tall, blond man nodded and greeted them. “Welcome to House Eirlindol. I am Nevan Anders. How may I be of service?”
“My name is Gage Fabre, warrior of the Tau Unit. This is my mate, Zoe Appleblossom, Head of the Fire Temple of Storm Keep. She is investigating the lights dimming and wishes to speak to Dirk Vi’Eirlindol, as he represents the city’s leading expert in regards to the lights.”
The squire’s eyes widened. “Lady Appleblossom, welcome, please, please come in. I know my lord will wish to speak to you,” he said, ushering them inside.
Zoe felt some of her nervousness slip away at his kindness and welcoming nature. He led them to a simple but elegantly decorated sitting room. Like the front door, most of the furniture was dark oak. The fabrics around the room provided pops of color in varying shades of green in the form of curtains, tablecloths, and pillows.
Moments later, she heard a gruff voice. “Why should I meet with them? They’ll just blame me like the others.”
“My Lord, please, the young lady looks to have come here directly from Storm Keep. I implore you to speak with her,” the squire practically begged.
Zoe turned to Gage. He looked as confused as she felt. She had never heard a squire beg before.
A tall blond man with silver at the temples stepped into the room. “That girl? That child is the Fire Temple Head? Fah! Get out of here with your lies!”
Zoe shrunk back in her chair, unsure of what to say.
