Page 12 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
I chuckled and turned back.
When I did, my breath caught in my chest.
Beside the elder was a hulking man I had never met before. His rugged dress with an open-necked tunic, kilt, and fur-trimmed leather vest gave him away at once as an outsider, but it was the firewolf at his side that confirmed who he was—Rune elf.
“Friends, friends,” Elder Thornberry called, gesturing to everyone. “May I introduce Bjorn Runeson, Master of Horse for King Ramr of Frostfjord. He came from the far frozen reaches to see our unicorns. Let us give him a welcome!”
At that, the elders clapped politely.
Reminding myself to breathe, I also gave a polite clap.
Bjorn, who looked entirely uncomfortable, set his hand on his waist and gave the room a very practiced formal bow. When he rose, his eyes scanned the room, pausing when he saw me. He met my gaze for a moment.
Taken by surprise, my wings fluttered, sending a glimmer of sparkles around me.
I gave the stranger a soft smile and inclined my head to him.
He blinked, rubbed his forearm, then gave me a brief smile before looking away.
My cheeks burning, I turned and began filling the cups on my tray as my mind began spooling out romantic visions of myself and the Rune elf. Taken so off guard by my thoughts, I was surprised to find my hands shaking. I spilled the tea onto the saucers.
Oh, burnt ends! Concentrate, girl.
I cleaned up the mess then sent the serving tray around the room, floating on a cloud of glimmering blue light. I then prepared another tray. When I had it ready, I turned to send it off but pitched to an awkward stop when I found myself face to face with a firewolf. The giant canine wagged his tail, the fiery plume spewing magical embers.
I fluttered my wings quickly working to right myself as the teacups nearly went careening toward the floor.
Then, someone stepped forward, grabbing the other side of the tray to prevent a near disaster. As I leaned, I heard the tell-tale clack of porcelain hitting too hard…a sound that told me I’d definitely chipped or broken something. “Oh no,” I muttered.
Righting myself, I looked up to find a hulking figure holding my tray in place.
The Rune elf.
“Oh, thank you! I…” My cheeks burned redder than a Midsummer fire.Oh my gods, what is wrong with me?“Thank you. I nearly lost the whole tray,” I said with a laugh, setting in on a nearby table.
“My apologies. Smoke has the uncanny ability to detect the person most likely to feed him.”
“Well, I’m the baker, so his instincts are perfect,” I said then set the tray aside. “I’m Rosalyn, by the way,” I said, extending my hand. “You are very welcome in Moonshine Hollow, Mister Runeson.”
“Just Bjorn,” he replied, smiling softly as he took my hand and placed a genteel kiss thereon.
I’m going to die.
Right here.
In the middle of breakfast.
I am going to literally implode into a cloud of glitter.
I laughed nervously. Desperate to not make a fool out of myself, I turned back to the firewolf.
“Smoke, is it? Well, you must be a very smart boy to know who has cookies for dogs.” Sticking my hand into my apron pocket, I produced three small dog cookies. I turned to Bjorn. “Okay, before you judge a lady for carrying dog cookies in her pocket, there is a pega-poodle that lives on the corner before the elder’s house. I always bring a cookie or two for him when I come this way. Do you mind?” I asked, meeting the Rune elf’s gaze.
His eyes were colored cool gray flecked with shades of blue like a dark sea in a storm.
Bjorn nodded, then rubbed his forearm once more.
Smiling, I turned back to Smoke. “Wily boy,” I said, handing the wolf the treats, which he took politely.
