"What do you need from those whose... futures you're trying to peek at?"
"Lord?"
"I mean, do you need to hold their hands?" Zephyr grabbed Ciren's little hand and waved it around, drawing laughter from those around them. "Or just eye contact?"
She stopped smiling, nodding in understanding. "Oh, it's unfortunately not those. A few drops of blood, when ingested, will start the visions once my Blessing is activated."
He looked genuinely amazed, and I knew he was already planning. "I see. Can you tell some of their future with just that alone?"
Even the music stopped as her uncle beamed proudly.
"I can tell yours, Lord, yes, if that's your wish, of course."
Zephyr looked amused. "Oh no, no. I already know mine. I would like you to read some others once I've delivered their blood, of course."
His charm was irresistible; a request that would sound ghoulish from anyone else simply made the women melt.
"Absolutely, Lord. Anyone's." Her eagerness was unsettling, but it made my husband very happy.
"Later. First, Ceron?" Zephyr remembered his name—a clear sign he had plans for him. The man looked eager. "Lord?"
"We haven't talked about how long you wish to stay... let's do it now."
He leaned back, letting the man stew.
"I... w-well... we didn't talk. We usually stay a week?"
Zephyr's smile was accepting, but his reply made the troupe look deflated. "I see. A week it is."
This village must have looked like a small paradise to those stuck on the road.
He stood up suddenly, hugging a very happy little Ciren.
"We will, of course, do everything in our power to make your stay comfortable. In fact, let us all dine together. My family will join the Monroes tonight."
The lost happiness instantly returned, met with cheers.
"Perfect. Let's have it in our Princess' Tavern. My mother-in-law's cooking is as close as you can possibly get to Ehlite in this world."
"Shush, you. Hihihi." Mother swatted playfully at him, appreciating the compliment.
Carlos quickly took her hand. "Zeph, let us give them time. We'll do it later tonight before the meeting. Come, my love. We need to cook for a small army, after all."
Mother was happy with his show of possessiveness. "Whatever you say. Alright, see you all in a few hours."
I joined my own husband, ready to leave.
"Lord Zephyr, we are unaccustomed to such treatment. Thank you."
"Don't mention it; it's our pleasure. In the meantime, you are all free to explore if the cold doesn't hold you back. See you all tonight, and you..."
He put down Ciren and knelt in front of little the girl earlier and the lady who I assumed was her mother.
"Why don't you and the children come over to my house? I'm sure my daughter would enjoy the company, and we have infinitely better sweets there."
The girl was charmed, and after getting permission from the lady, who was suspiciously flushed...
"Yes, I'd like that," she answered.
Zephyr looked at the lady. "Please come and join your little girl; I'm sure she would prefer that."
"I—I'm not sure if—"
He quickly turned back to the little one. "Olivia? What do you think?"
Little Olivia made it impossible for her mother to refuse. "Mom, please..."
"Alright, then. I'll look after them so they don't cause trouble."
"Nonsense! They're children; it's their job to cause trouble. We'll join you presently. Sister, please show them the way." He dismissed her worries.
"Absolutely. Come with me, Miss..." Eli took Anna's hand and walked toward the lady.
"Oh, Catalina Brennan. Call me Cata."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Eleanor. Let's go and battle the cold, kids."
We left with them but walked toward the tavern first. Ciren stuck close to his chest. The wind picked up, but the tavern's long fireplace kept the inside toasty.
"Stuart, let your father-in-law and the rest of our family know that we're having dinner in the tavern tonight. Setil, get us some hot milk and bring some of that repulsive chocolate as well."
He put Ciren down as the couple went without a question.
"Why the warm milk, Brother?" Alexander asked.
"It's a beverage, Alex. Like the rest who enjoy that vile thing, you will probably love the taste."
"More importantly," I leaned on his back, finally. "You want them to stay?"
"Didn't you hear them? They only stay a week," he stretched.
"Stop being coy. You want that girl's power."
He turned around, pulling me close. "You make me sound like a villain. Stop these accusations and explain why the Lady of Emet skipped her archery practice?"
"I... how'd you know? Who complained?"
"Oh, stop it, you. What will your next obsession be, dear? The spear? Or those throwing knives? Skipping training when you just said this morning how much your skill diminished. Tsk-tsk."
The bastard. As if I keep changing my mind, or skipping one day of training could possibly...
"Ugh, good one, you almost had it... almost, but you won't change the subject that easily—"
Stuart arrived, cutting me off. "Here's the boiling milk, Master... and the chocolates."
"Thanks, Stu."
He ignored me and placed a few of the chocolate pieces inside the milk, which colored it as it melted.
"A spoon, please."
He kept placing some inside and stirring it until the white milk turned almost as dark as the chocolate itself.
"Stop your rant for a second and taste this." He handed me the still-hot glass. "Go on, already. The First Acolyte of Ehlite swears by it."
With his trip still largely unexplained and his attempts to shame me for something I didn't even do, I still took the glass anyway.
It smelled lovely. I bet it's delicious, like anything he found.
Yep, it was like liquid chocolate. Bastard.