“Anything!” Auggie spread out her arms, her basket jangling. “Jewelry, pretty dresses.” She gasped. “Shoes!”
Elm laughed. “Okay, okay, I get the point. I’ll try and think of something she’d like.”
This was madness. Elm couldn’t seriously be falling for this. The more I knew about these Moonflowers, the surer I was that they were trouble.
My boots crunched over leaves scattered across the forest floor as we neared the cottage. We should be there soon.
“So what type of potions did you all sell?” Elm asked.
“Oh, you know, just the usual tonics that apothecary shops carry. Ones for healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Mama is an excellent potions master.”
“Well, it sounds like you all are,” Elm said. “Adelaide told me that your mama trained all of you.”
Auggie cleared her throat. “Yes.” Her voice came out strangled and high-pitched.
She was hiding something. I knew it. I was right about these Moonflowers.
We emerged through a tree line as Adelaide and a shorter, plump woman with gray hair emerged from the house.
“Oh, Elm!” The shorter woman waved at my friend. I assumed she was the Moonflower matriarch.
She picked up her skirts and ran toward us, splashing through the little brook that ran in front of the cottage. She arrived in front of us, out of breath and smiling up at Elm with adoration in her eyes.
“I’m so happy you’re here. We just love this little cottage.” The cottage door snapped shut, right onto the skirt of Adelaide’s dress.
“It’s no problem, Thea,” Elm said, taking her hands in his.
“Adelaide,” Thea called. “Elm is here!”
Adelaide pulled at her skirt, still stuck in the door.
“Mama, Elm wants to buy Adelaide something!” Auggie burst out. “Isn’t that so romantic?”
Pink tinged Elm’s cheeks. “Well, I... thought that might be between us.”
“How wonderful!” Thea clapped her hands together. “Oh, Adelaide would love that.”
Enough was enough. This woman was just as bad as her daughters. Didn’t she see how inappropriate this was? I stepped forward, in between Thea and Elm.
Thea looked up at me, her green eyes assessing. “And who is this?”
“It’s Draven Darkstone,” Auggie said with glee.
Thea’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh.” She took in my attire, her gaze lingering on my leather boots, my spotless black trousers, my white silk shirt. I wore fine clothes for someone who owned a tavern, and I had a feeling Thea Moonflower was more than aware of it. “Well, Mr. Darkstone, welcome. As you can see, the cottage is a little worse for wear, but we’re well on our way to getting it back in shape.”
Elm clapped a hand on my shoulder, drawing me back so that I stood next to him. “You’re doing a wonderful job. I just wanted to see if I could help with anything.”
“Oh, no!” Thea shook her head, her gray curls bouncing. “We couldn’t ask such a thing of you. It’s enough that you’re coming to visitmy Adelaide.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “If you need ideas about any certain gifts you could buy for her, I’m happy to help.”
Auggie skipped off toward the house with her basket. I’d seen enough to know that my suspicions were right. Elm might not see through their little act. But I did, and I’d do everything I could to protect him from making a huge mistake.
The door swung open, finally releasing Adelaide. She stumbled forward, and yet another Moonflower appeared. Elspeth. And she was staring directly at me.
Thirteen
ELSPETH
“What is he doing here?” I hissed to Adelaide, tipping my head toward Draven Darkstone, water bucket in hand. I needed to go refill it in the brook, but unfortunately, Mr. Darkstone happened to be standing right near it, and I preferred to stay as far away from that unpleasant man as possible.
