Page 18 of Seas the Reckoning

I’m also the owner of several new pairs of shoes—probably more pairs than there will be events.

Starla has insisted on covering the bills. While her bar makes a living, I know the coven has all sorts of funds as well.

“I’d sooner spit in the eye of a rampaging wildebeest than take my father’s money, but I have no problem business-expensing some things through the coven,” she said when we checked out from the first store and the total made my eyes bulge. “Grammy insisted that, since the deal made with my father was technically a benefit to the entire coven, they could bear the expense.”

We make our way into a coffee shop for a much-needed caffeine break. The shop smells of fresh ground coffee, relaxing me further. We choose our drinks and find a table near one of the windows. Starla leans back, sipping a coffee, one hand on her temple.

“I have shopped until I have literally dropped into this chair. Jet lag, you have found me. I’m more tired than a tortoise after racing fifteen hares.”

Zyra chuckles.

“Does that mean you don’t want to look at jewelry and makeup after all?”

Starla bolts upright.

“Sacrilege! Of course we need to accessorize! The show must go on!”

The two have a fire in their eyes that borders on fanaticism, and I shake my head at them. I may not have their enthusiasm for things, but I’m not going to scoff at it, either. I rather like how I look in the dresses they helped me choose, and I’m looking forward to seeing Jackal’s reaction when he sees me in them.

And perhaps helps me out of them. Once we’re away from the manor, or his sister’s, and somewhere with some privacy, of course.

“What about you, Leena? Is there anything on your shopping list today?” Zyra asks.

I can feel my cheeks growing warm.

“Well, it’s not a clothing item. It’s also a bit silly, particularly since we’re sitting here with coffee. But I’ve always wanted to try a traditional afternoon tea. With the little sandwiches and cookies and cakes?”

I can envision myself sitting near a sunny window, enjoying a scone with cream. I’d linger with the snacks, basking in the glow of a lazy afternoon while I sipped tea and read a romance novel.

“We can make that happen!” Zyra’s voice is enthusiastic.

“Wait, really?”

I’m certain it’s a total tourist request, but the hyena gives no hint of being annoyed or being ready to laugh at me.

“Absolutely. I know just the place. Let’s go grab the accessories, and then we can pop in for a nice afternoon tea. This place is casual enough that we won’t need to change into any of your new outfits.”

A relief, since we’re wearing jeans and heavy sweaters lent to us by Zyra.

The makeup doesn’t take long. Starla already has a list of favored products, even if she doesn’t wear a lot on her face when we’re back home at the beach. Jewelry takes a little bit longer, but Zyra has a keen eye for what will suit both our outfits and us.

When we’re done, we’ve still got ample time before we’ve planned to meet the guys, and I feel more excited than I want to admit at the prospect of a proper tea. A bell sounds as we enter the place Zyra indicated. The outer door is painted a dark, deep blue. The interior has a lot of natural wood and brass accents. It’s exactly what she said. Not a place where we’d need to be dressed in fancy clothes, but a welcoming and cozy spot.

“It’s a build-your-own type of experience,” Zyra explains as we approach a counter. “You choose a tea, and a set number of both savory and sweet items for the tray. Perhaps a bit less posh than ordering everything tableside, but the pastries are all homemade, and I can vouch that they are delicious.”

“Zyra! Haven’t seen you in a while!” A woman with her brown hair pulled back in a bun and wearing a flour-stained apron comes to the counter to greet us.

“Camille!” Zyra and the woman trade pleasantries, with Zyra explaining that she has some friends in town. She doesn’t bother giving details, and that’s probably safest.

“Camille is a dear friend of mine. You all can choose anything on the menu, but I have to say you should try the raspberry almond cookies. It’s her own recipe and they are delectable.”

For a moment, I marvel at the two women discussing the town, Lottie’s winter break from school, and a few other things. Of course Jackal’s sister has a regular life, but it can be easy to forget that, after meeting her how we did.

When Camille turns her attention to us to ask for our order, I beam, warmed by the atmosphere of the shop and the way this moment of normalcy helps prepare me for the potential coming storm.

“Well, what do you think?” Starla asks as I polish off the last dregs of my tea and a final bite of raspberry almond cookie. Camille brought us a plate of extras after noticing that we tore through the first set.

“Everything you expected?” Zyra asks.