“My sister, Estrid, died when she was young too.”
A memory needles into my thoughts. Estrid was the name Everly’s grandmother called out. Maybe Everly’s grandmother is like Mildred. Neither woman has accepted the deaths of their loved ones.
“I’m sorry. Do you remember Estrid?” My heart warms as I think of all those memories I built with Aniah. She loved to draw pictures with chalk and to make paper flowers with me.
Everly shakes her head. “No. I was too young when Estrid died.”
As we continue our walk down the street, the sun sets behind the palace walls. The sky turns a deep shade of orange, and the clouds are painted with hues of pink and purple. The streets empty out, and the only sound is the distant chirping of crickets.
But the moment doesn’t last. A group of rowdy men burst out of a tavern, their raucous laughter shattering the peacefulness. Everly and I step aside as they stumble toward us, their breath thick with the scent of ale. One of them leers at us, his eyes roving over our bodies.
“Hey, beautiful ladies,” he slurs. “Why don’t you come have a drink with us?”
“We would rather not.” I grab Everly’s arm and try to walk around the men, but they stagger into our path, blocking us. She lets out a quick exhale and shifts closer to me.
“Don’t be rude,” the same man says. “We only want to buy you both a drink.”
He reaches for me, and I smack his hand hard enough to make him recoil. His friends burst into laughter.
“Well, that wasn’t very nice,” the man grumbles.
Someone else approaches from my left. Their footsteps echo against the cobbled street, raising goosebumps along my skin.
Great! That’s just what we need.
Another drunk.
I pivot around and glare. “Do you want to buy me a drink too?”
My eyes widen at Cenric as he walks toward us, his steps determined, his eyes locked on Everly.
A slight smile tugs at his lips as he stops next to Everly. “Only if you promise to buy me one first.”
The man I hit grows bolder. “We found them first.”
“Found?” Cenric arches a dark eyebrow. “I didn’t know they were lost.”
“Well…” The man opens and closes his mouth. “They’re going to have a drink with us.”
“I think that’s about as likely as you suddenly sprouting wings.” Cenric points toward the street. “You and your friends need to leave.”
The man laughs. “Who are you to command me?”
Cenric’s cloak snaps against his legs as he steps closer to the man. The man stumbles back and rubs a fist across his dirty mouth.
“We don’t want no trouble,” one of the other drunks says as he reaches for his friend’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Wisely, the man listens and allows his friend to lead him away. The rest of their companions follow them down the street. I breathe a sigh of relief when they keep walking.
“That was unnecessary.” Everly straightens her surcoat and turns toward the palace. “We had everything under control.”
“Evie…” He reaches out, brushing his fingers against her arm. “I have looked all day for you.”
“I was around.” She turns to me, dismissing him. “Are you ready, Sol?”
I glance between them, unsure if I should dismiss him as easily as she did. When I don’t reply, she walks away.
I quickly follow, catching up with her and sending her a long stare. Her shoulders stiffen as she looks straight ahead. Cenric trails us, but at a distance, as if he understands her need for space.
