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“You could plant it close to your dwelling in the memory of a loved one lost.”
“I don’t own property.” Grabbing the edge of my leather coat, lined with fur, I opened it enough to show my weapon.
She glanced at the short sword hanging in my shoulder holster. “A King’s Guard. I’m honored to attend to your needs. Do you reside at Castleva, my lord?”
“I do.”
“I have no doubt King Reign would be fine with you planting it on the grounds. He’s just as gentle as he is handsome.” She primped up the loose curls of her short gray hair, the light skin of her wrinkled cheeks becoming pink.
Knowing wisteria trees were Ember’s favorite, I had no need for an oak. But she was damn good at her job, making it harder for me to decline the kind woman.
As I contemplated where I was going to put the oak tree, Cash wielded his thoughts to me.
Val! I found the perfect gift.
Excitement rose in me. Where are you?
Clothing stand. Hurry!
“I’m sorry but I have to go. Thanks for your time.”
Feeling guilty about abandoning the conversation so abruptly, I dropped some gold coins into the donation bucket before strolling through the market, looking for my friend.
When I found Cash, he was holding up a sundress with flowers on the fabric and a huge accomplished smile on his face. “This is perfect!”
“I appreciate your help, but Ember doesn’t wear dresses. Do you know who does, though?”
Cash’s brows furrowed, sporting a now confused look. I tilted my head, and waited for the realization to hit him.
“Oh, Cinder! I’ll get this too.”
I scrubbed my hands down my face, wondering if I should stop and get a massage to relax me before heading to the next booth.
An hour later, a sigh of defeat left me when we stepped onto the portal.
“This mission was a bust.” I adjusted the burlap sack I had slung over my shoulder so Cash could eat a snack. It was filled with gifts for Cinder. “Well, for me anyway.”
“If only you hadn’t taught Ember how to guard her mind from you.”
My eyes drifted curiously to Cash as he bit into a piece of fudge.
“What do you mean?”
“You could have listened to her thoughts,” he mumbled through a full mouth.
When Ember became a King’s Guard last year, she hadn’t been taught how to keep her thoughts to herself. Regardless of their level of dirtiness, I could hear all of them. It was a fun time.
After weeks of training, she was able to consistently maintain it. Since then, I haven’t been able to hear what she’s thinking unless she wants me to.
“That’s unethical, Cash.”
“Yeah, I guess. But if you managed to make her drop her shield, would it be unethical or a fortunate mistake? Especially if you hear something important. Accidentally, of course.”
Most of the time Cash hadn’t much to say on the lines of smart things, but his plan was brilliant.
My mind lit up with the first thing I knew would make Ember drop her shield—sex. Knowing she and I were scheduled to spar tomorrow, I smiled broadly. Our fights often led to us being naked, which gave me the perfect chance to listen to her thoughts.
“That’s a great idea. Thanks, Cash.”
