Page 43 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
As I went, I played Tansy’s words in my mind. Something like a glimmer. That…was unexpected. But was it? My runes were whispering the same thing.
But the lie…
Gods, she would never forgive me.
I walked toward the river with my heart and mind spinning in a tempest.
Moonshine Hollow’s marketplace was a kaleidoscope of color and sound. Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, vendors calling out their wares and customers haggling good-naturedly. I wandered among them, admiring hand-crafted goods, flowers, fruits, and foods. There was so much color, unlike Frostfjord’s market.
I had stopped at a pet vendor, the man selling so many unusual creatures. In one crate were palm-sized flufflehogs with petal-like fur that had a relaxing scent. Most were curled up into little balls and sleeping. They also had a pen of curdle mice, who were excellent at helping cheesemakers work in the making of cheese. I didn’t know exactly how it worked, but even our cooks kept them. In another pen, I saw small foxes no larger than kittens. Three kits slept together in a heap.
“Sir, what are these?” I asked.
“Thimblefoxes,” the jolly man replied. “They can find anything. Perfect for fetching lost items and sweet as candy floss in temperament.”
I gave one of the little ones a scratch behind his ear, earning me a perfect fox smile.
“They’re charming,” I agreed.
“That they are, good sir. That they are.”
“By the Nine Gods! Is that Prince Bjorn himself?”
My blood turned to ice. I turned slowly to find myself face to face with Chieftain Baldur, one of my father’s oldest friends andadvisors. The elder was always close with my family and seemed to favor me and Asa in particular. He had taught me to fish and hunt, and I had spent an entire summer on his island home on Glacier Isle. I could not believe it, but his massive frame and lengthy white beard were unmistakable, even here in the Summerlands.
“My prince!” he exclaimed, loud enough to draw curious glances from nearby shoppers. “What a pleasure to find you here!”
I forced a smile. Setting my hand on his back, I steered him away from the crowd. “Chieftain Baldur,” I said quietly. “What a surprise.”
“Indeed! When your father mentioned you’d traveled south, I never expected to cross paths with you. The king will be delighted to hear you’re well.”
I glanced around nervously, painfully aware of the curious onlookers. Among them, I spotted a familiar face—the gnomish woman with a shop beside Rosalyn. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she watched our exchange.
Had she heard?
What if she had heard?
If she told Rosalyn…
Oh, by the Nine Gods!
“Chieftain,” I said urgently, “Please… I’m not here asPrinceBjorn. I’m traveling as Bjorn Runeson. I did not want to draw attention to my station, so I have not mentioned it to the good people here. I’d prefer they didn’t know.”
Understanding dawned in his clear, blue eyes. “Ah. I see.” He lowered his voice. “Forgive me, Bjorn. I spoke without thinking.”
“It’s all right,” I said, relaxing slightly. “How could you have known? But I’d appreciate your discretion.”
Baldur nodded gravely. “Of course. Might we speak somewhere more private? I sail soon but would love to hear what, exactly, my favorite son of Frostfjord is up to.”
I nodded, relieved. Looking around, I gestured to a nearby tavern. “I must meet someone soon, but I have enough time for a drink…or three?”
Chieftain Baldur grinned. “Spoken like a true Rune elf. Let’s go.”
As we made our way to the tavern, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being followed. Sure enough, when I glanced back, I saw a flower-bedecked hat ducking behind a cart. Winifred. This was getting more complicated by the minute.
The Briney Pint was a sturdy stone-and-stucco structure along the river. Inside, it was cool, dim, and smelled of ale. The place was busy, filled with travelers who had come in from the river. We found a table in a quiet corner, away from curious ears, and ordered two pints.
“So,” Baldur said once we were settled with mugs of ale before us, “you’ve escaped the palace walls. Your father was less than specific, but I heard a rumor you jumped ship when a betrothal to a frost giant princess didn’t go your way. Your mother must be beside herself.”
