Page 64 of Jeweler to the Blessed
With the setting sun, Cross Street filled. Hart was never more than a few steps behind me, though he let me roam freely. I kept my eyes peeled for Ava but hadn’t seen her yet. A smile bloomed when I heard Jasmine’s voice across the street.
She dragged Matthew by the hand through a break in the uneven table. “Happy Cornucopia.”
“Happy Cornucopia,” Serena added, sauntering after them.
Her voice was deeper than I was used to, sultrier. I turned to wish her the same and realized she wasn’t looking at me. Her gaze was fixed on Hart. I glanced at Jasmine, whose hand had gone to her mouth to cover a laugh.
My brow furrowed before I focused on Jasmine and Matthew. “Hello, and congratulations to you both.”
Hart stood stoically behind me and didn’t appear to realize Serena’s address was to him.
“Your father is doing well,” Jasmine said.
That caught my attention. “Is he getting around alright?”
She tilted her head from side to side. “He’s getting by. Mom wants him to stay off it for a few weeks. He says that’s not possible.”
Maybe I should set up food deliveries for them. If I could take care of any reason he had to leave the apartment, maybe he’d let it heal correctly. “I’ll talk to him.”
Something like a stone plummeted in my gut as soon as I said it. Even if Mother’s medicine was taken care of, which I still needed to verify, Father’s shop was light on orders, and he had to stay off his feet. Could he provide the basics for them?
I shook my head—nothing had gone according to whatever plan Alaric thought he had. I’d need to figure this all out for myself based on my current situation. At least now I knew not to search for Alaric.
“Are you going to visit soon?” Jasmine asked.
I glanced over my shoulder. “I’m not sure.”
Hart was staring straight ahead. He hadn’t conversed with Serena, so I was sure he was listening. Since I’d read Alaric’s note, in addition to talking to Ava, I also wanted to check on Mother’s delivery. If Alaric had kept to our schedule, she would have received a new batch today. I wasn’t sure how I’d get away. My experience this morning only proved how dangerous it was.
Serena interrupted my thoughts, grabbing my sleeved arm.
Hart’s stony exterior cracked, and he surged forward at the violation. Serena shrieked at the aggressive movement.
“Relax,” I said to Hart. “She just wants to speak privately.”
I could guess precisely what she wanted to discuss. I wrapped her hand around my arm to steady her. She seemed to regain confidence with the action and pulled me a few steps away. Jasmine tugged Matthew into the circle.
“What is he doing with you?” Serena asked.
Her gaze flashed to Hart again, making what we discussed all too obvious. He gave us space, though. This gave me hope that I wouldn’t have to sneak away to talk to Ava. If I found her, he’d let me have a private conversation.
“Hart is my guard.”
“Hart?!” she squeaked. “You call him Hart?”
“What do you call him?” I asked.
“Someone I’d like to fu?—”
“That’s about enough of that, Serena,” Jasmine cut her off as Hart approached.
“Excuse me.” He nodded to the others. “Emberline, you’re needed for the festivities.”
I glanced behind him. He had a helmet in his hand, and another guard strode toward where Vaddon and the prince gathered at the steps. They had intended to present me at the Selection as the new jeweler. Maybe they would include me in tonight’s announcement.
“Give me one moment,” I said.
He stepped back and slid the helmet over his head.
