Page 10 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

Ah, her past involves a broken heart, then, he mused as he studied her. Or at the very least, a rejection.

She looked like she wanted to smack him with her broom, but barely refrained due to his status as a guard. He almost wanted her to try, just so he could stop her.

However, if he wanted her cooperation with his investigation, he couldn’t intentionally spurn her. He’d likely do so without meaning to, anyway—and clearly already had.

Herrick cleared his throat. “I apologize. That did not come out as intended.”

Zorina huffed and shoved one hand on her hip, still holding the broom in her other hand. “Oh, so you meant to insult me but not accuse me? Is that it?”

“No, I—”

“Or do you wish to accuse me without the insult? What, do you think I am somehow behind a red panda’s penchant for breaking pots and stealing gold? When the one foolishly putting coins in his pottery is my employer?” She lowered her voice at that last question, glancing toward the workshop in the back—probably hoping Jurian wouldn’t hear her judgmental words.

Herrick put both hands in the air. “I think we got off to a wrong start.”

Zorina scoffed at that. “Obviously, since you tried to arrest me.”

He winced at the reminder, but plowed forward anyway. “I misunderstood the situation, and for that I apologize. Truce?”

With a hesitant and seemingly begrudging glare, she said, “Fine. But don’t get in my way.”

For the rest of the workday, Herrick waited for the red panda to return, but it did not. While he waited, he lounged against the shop wall, browsed the potter’s wares, and watched as Zorina helped the few customers who visited the shop. He spent far too much time staring out the window, observing the behavior of red pandas in the street. None approached the shop, however.

At long last, the day drew to a close, and Jurian dismissed both him and Zorina for the night.

Once again, Herrick offered to escort her home, but she refused. Yet as he left the pottery shop that evening, the petite spitfire of a woman kept invading his thoughts.

Chapter four

Love at First Kiss

Zorina

Much to Zorina’s dismay, the obnoxious guard Herrick returned to the shop the next morning. He claimed he had more investigating to do, but the very idea was ridiculous. Trying to get any work done while he stood there silently judging her was beyond frustrating.

Not that he said as much. But the cynical look in his eye told her enough. Why couldn’t he go back to the castle keep where he belonged?

Of all the guards they could have sent, why this one? He’s rude and insufferable.

And entirely too handsome for her good.

Shoving the unwanted thought aside, Zorina dusted the pots on the shelves, just for something to do until Jurian or the red panda made a mess of things again. Or until another customer came, but they had been few and far between that day so far.

At least the guard doesn’t make a mess, she thought with a smirk. Though if he did, I’d have a valid reason to kick him out.

She was, however, grateful that he had not asked her more about her understanding of magic. If they could completely avoid that topic, it would be ideal.

The opening of the door snapped her attention out of her morose thoughts, and she smiled at the middle-aged woman who entered. “Welcome, Madame Giry. How can I help you today?”

Madame Giry, head housekeeper at Adael Castle, smiled in return. “Hello, Zorina. Is Jurian available? Duke Armand is in need of more decorative vases, and he has some very specific designs in mind.”

With a nod, Zorina said, “I’ll go check. He’s working in the back right now.”

Before long, she returned to the storefront with Jurian in tow. He listened to Madame Giry’s request and readily agreed to the commission at an appropriate price.

Zorina paid little attention to the details. Instead, her focus was on the bits of wet clay the potter had dragged into the storefront with him. As soon as their customer left, she would have to clean up after him again.

Unfortunately, when Madame Giry opened the door to leave, she left the door open for just a moment too long—