Page 31 of Stitches
“Won’t that anger the demon?” Gordoc broached nervously from the stunned crowd.
Yentriss answered with a question like she had before, with nary a waver in her voice, “For all the rumors and stories, can anyone here say they have seen the demon since the night of the curse?”
It was an often-debated question, yet no one spoke up that they had.
“Then we will do what we must.” She motioned for Ashmedai to retake the floor.
Ashmedai peered past her at Braxton. “Thank you, my friend. I suppose I can no longer fault you for missing these meetings if that is why you were absent.”
A few members of the crowd tittered at the jab, and Braxton himself offered a rare smile.
“My people.” Ashmedai stood to ensure he had everyone’s attention. “Never believe you need to keep such things from me again. It is my duty, my privilege to serve and protect you. And it is only together, through Braxton’s efforts, mine, and your own, that we will persevere. I am certain Daedlys will provide the crystals for valid trade.”
Daedlys’s proud nod wasn’t necessary, since fair trade was the foundation of their close-knit society, but Ashmedai still appreciated the steadfast response.
“I also want everyone to enjoy Festival Day like never before, confident that your fears will soon be put to rest.”
Not everyone looked convinced, but enough were assuaged by Braxton’s certainty that their smiles and relaxed postures strengthened the faith of others.
“Let me say one final thing.” Ashmedai smiled too. “Congratulations—to all of you.”
The lighter note the meeting ended on made the previous pandemonium fade from memory like a fleeting nightmare. For once, instead of being stopped by Dreya, Ashmedai was swarmed by the pregnant couples, each hoping for a blessing now that the truth was out. He could hardly refuse them, for each new member to their community had always been a joy, even with lacking space.
Amidst all that, Ashmedai asked Luccite to stay, and made sure to catch Levi’s eye so he would also remain. Dreya did linger, excitedly chatting with Luccite, who seemed somewhat agitated by the attention but didn’t move away from her. Once the couples departed, Dreya left as well, and Levi came forward through the hall. His nerves appeared to have returned, tight in his shoulders. He kept straying his eyes to Braxton who, like Ashmedai, had been accosted by several people and had yet to leave.
“Levi, I don’t believe you’ve met Luccite, have you?” Ashmedai introduced them.
Luccite extended a hand, covered in soft gray fur and with claws she kept retracted.
Levi trembled slightly as he accepted it. “M-Madame Healer. I suppose Braxton saw no need for us to meet, since I am not alive in the traditional sense.”
“Feels like a normal pulse to me,” she purred, lingering her grip on Levi’s wrist, which made him blush with a bashful glance at Ashmedai, though there was no way for her to know what had transpired between them.
Levi glanced again at Braxton, but the alchemist was a good distance away, engrossed in discussion with Daedlys and Klarent, among others.
“I was hoping you might enjoy visiting Luccite’s shop,” Ashmedai said. He kept his voice moderate, not purposely low, but he also cast a subtle spell that pulled invisible shadows around them so their voices wouldn’t carry. “She is curious to learn more about you.”
Levi’s astuteness was in no way dulled when he was anxious, for the continued aversion of his eyes proved he knew they didn’t want Braxton to hear about this—or he was simply that nervous being near Ashmedai when Braxton could see them.
“N-now?” Levi asked.
“It doesn’t have to be now,” Ashmedai said. “How about tomorrow? You and Grillo are taking a break, aren’t you? So he can build and repair a few stalls to better gauge how much more lumber he needs? You can tell Brax you’ve been asked to assist with other festival business.”
“This is about festival business?” Levi cocked his head.
Hewasastute; he was also sweetly naïve.
“Yes,” Luccite stepped in. “We were hoping you might assist with one of the booths, but we don’t want to ask anything of you that you can’t handle. A small examination would help me understand what you’re capable of. Shall we say my shop at half past sunrise?”
Levi looked at Ashmedai, and it felt terrible to lie to him,so Ashmedai whispered a truth.
“I want to be certain you are always safe and protected, and there are some things Luccite knows that Brax does not. You could meet me at the top of the market steps. The carriages from Emerald should be arriving. We could see them together before continuing to Luccite. Will you come?”
The offer eased some of the tightness in Levi’s shoulders. “Yes, I will be there.”
Ashmedai would have risked a gentle touch, might have even kissed Levi’s fingers again, but he didn’t want to push Levi’s boundaries with Braxton nearby. He said good night and watched Levi retreat to Braxton’s side, where the discussion had just ended, and Daedlys and Klarent offered boisterous good nights as well.
Braxton nodded once more at Ashmedai before beginning to head for the exit with Levi beside him.
