“I don’t have anything else better to do.” He shrugged. “My mornings are pretty dull. This is the perfect way to switch things up. You can’t be up here past 10:00, correct?”
He looked me up and down, and I felt my face flush.
I guess it’s obvious I’m from the Outer Ring.
“Correct,” I muttered, looking down at my feet. Being seen as a second-class citizen never got easier. Even though it’s all I’ve ever known.
“Well, then we best hurry.” He reached for my bag. “Don’t forget about the thing she bit into.”
“Right.” I handed him the slip with the orders, the names of each customer, the price of their purchase, and the map with directions.
“They should only take about forty minutes. Which is about the same time it will take me to run home and back after my mother makes another one.” I took a long breath. “Can we meet back up here? We will, of course, pay you.”
He waved a hand in dismissal. “That isn’t necessary. Iwantto help,” he murmured while looking at the map. I wanted to plaster him with more questions. I was still surprised anyone from up here would even want to speak to me, let alone help, but I didn’t have the time.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask your name. I’m Lena Daelyra.” I extended my hand towards him. “And you?”
He examined my hand, then met my eyes. “Quill. Quill Callon,” he replied, beaming while taking my hand in his. I thought he would give me a handshake, but he instead brought my hand to his mouth and gave it a light kiss. He met my widened eyes with a grin. My knees nearly buckled at the gesture.
Someone from the Inner Ring…kissing the hand of a lower-class peasant? Is he ill?
“I—I will see you in forty minutes,” I stuttered as he let go of my hand.
He adjusted my bag on his shoulder and gave me a lazy smile. “See you soon.”
I held my breath and turned away, my anxiety a pestering pit in my chest.
I hoped trusting this stranger wasn’t a mistake.
Chapter Three
“YoudidWHAT?”Motherscreeched. I had told her what happened at our market stand, and upon only hearing the minute details, she decided to close for the rest of the day. When we returned to the cottage and I told her the whole story, she was furious.
“He wanted to help, so I—”
“So, you gave a boy, who you’ve never met, the rest of our orders? He probably just left with everything, Lena!”
“He saved it from being stolen in the first place, plus he looked like he had at least some money. I doubt he needs to steal food.” He didn’t look poor like us, but he didn’t necessarily look rich either.
“Or maybe, since you gave him directions with the amount of money we should be making, he’s fulfilling the orders and keeping the money for himself!”
My heart sank.
My Gods, I’m a fool.
Mother just looked away, shaking her head, beginning to make the elixir once more.
“I’m…I’m so sorry.” The kindness, the kiss on the hand, he knew what he was doing. He completely fooled me. I hung my head low and went to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me as I pressed my back against it, and slid onto the floor. I sat there in silence for a moment.
Another thing I messed up. I was an idiot to think he wanted to help.
I buried my face in my hands and sobbed quietly.
Nearly thirty minutes went by. I could hear clanking dishes and hurried footsteps coming from the kitchen while Mother attempted to remake the lost items. I knew I should be in there helping, but my shame kept me paralyzed to my wooden bedroom floor. Plus, I would probably find a way to mess that up, too.
I stared ahead at my small bed, the ivory sheets and peach-colored quilt calling my name. It was thin but just enough to keep me warm at night. Across from my bed was my pine dresser, and a brass-framed mirror was sitting on top of it. I didn’t have many cosmetics, but near it lay a soft pink blush, mascara, and red lipstick. The blush and mascara were worn frequently, but I never felt there was an occasion for such a bold color on my lips.
I stood up and walked over, realizing I probably had black streaks staining my face. I glanced in the mirror, and staring back were my red, puffy eyes and, sure enough, black droplets running down my cheeks.
