Moss Forest Orchid (Silver and Orchids Book 1)
Page 20
“We are here to see Baron Malcomny,” Sebastian says, using the cultured voice that sends pleasant shivers through me. “We have a delivery for him.”
For half a moment, the man’s eyes dart to my bodice, likely expecting me to draw something out, and then he flushes. Sebastian clears his throat in a rather menacing manner, and the embarrassed steward ushers us inside.
The foyer is just as I remember it—grand and damp and green. After several minutes, the baron hurries down the stairs. He wrings his hands; he’s so excited. “Were you able to retrieve it?”
Sebastian presents him a small wooden box lined with damp moss. The orchid cutting sits on top, looking terribly unimpressive for all that went into retrieving it.
“It’s already taking root!” His sharp features light in pure delight. “What excellent care you’ve taken of it!”
I’ve never, not in my entire life, seen anyone become this jubilant over a twig.
“Was it very difficult to procure?” he asks, truly concerned.
Sebastian and I exchange a look, and then Sebastian shakes his head, cordial. “No. Not especially.”
“Oh, your payment!” Baron Malcomny exclaims as if it almost slipped his mind.
It’s all right. If he had forgot, I would have gladly reminded him.
Holding his orchid stick like it’s the most precious thing in the world, the baron instructs his steward to fetch the gold. Once the man is gone, the baron looks back. “Was it beautiful in the wild? How I wish I could have gone with you.”
“The seedpods explode when disturbed, and they emit the foulest fragrance known to man.” I smile.
“What an amazing defense mechanism.” The baron sighs with longing. “How fortunate for you. So few people in the world have experienced it. I cannot lie—I envy you.”
Sebastian’s shoulders quiver with suppressed laughter, but I nod, solemn. “As I am sure many will. It is a blessing and a burden.”
Malcomny grasps my hand. “You must come back—visit the growing orchid. You are welcome anytime, dear Lucia.”
“I will be looking forward to it, sir.”
Never going to happen.
The steward returns with the money. It’s all tucked away into two neat little velvet bags.
“One for each of you,” Baron Malcomny declares. “Five thousand total.”
He sets them in our waiting palms.
It’s done. It’s over.
I let out a great sigh, and then, just as overcome as he was a moment ago, I pull the baron into an embrace.
It startles him, but he laughs and pats my back. “I understand. It’s hard letting go, but I swear I will take meticulous care of it.”
I back up, and he gives my hand one last squeeze.
We say our goodbyes, but as we’re walking to the door, I turn back, remembering something. “Lord Malcomny? What is it you wanted the orchid for anyway?”
I remember all the tinctures and medicines the book in the scholar’s guild listed. Maybe, just maybe, Sebastian and I have done something that really will make a difference in the world. Maybe we didn’t very nearly die for a worthless stick.
The baron strokes a nearby plant with great care. “When it begins to grow, the foliage of the orchid will complement my Anubish Gramerilianor perfectly. I’ll be the talk of the horticultural community.”
“Oh.” I nod, nearly speechless. “That’s…lovely.”
We step out of the damp manor and into the late summer sunshine. Sebastian’s quiet by my side. Neither of us can quite believe we are finished. Once we’re by the gates, I turn to him and pull his hand out, palm side up.
“What are you doing?” he asks, giving me a funny look.
“I am returning your money I lost.” I set the bag in his hand and step back, fighting a grin.
He laughs, shaking his head, and pulls me into a friendly embrace. “I already forgave you.”
“I know that, but I needed to do it.”
“Is that what this has been about? Your dogged determination was all so you could repay me?”
I nod against his chest, liking my current position a little too much. He laughs again, and I close my eyes as the sound of it rumbles against my cheek.
“Would you like to invest it?”
I look up, meeting his eyes. “If you would like, but you should probably choose the banker this time.”
Sebastian rolls his eyes and squeezes me tight. “Yes, that’s a given.”
We’re quiet for a few moments. Then, softly, I say, “I’m going to take Flink back.”
He glances at me, concerned. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I can’t separate them, Sebastian. Every time I look at the dragon, I see Avery. Now that I know what he did…”
Sebastian frowns. “But you love that awful beast.”
“But I’m afraid I might loathe Avery more.” I step out of his arms and onto the street. “Will you go with me?”
After a few moments, he nods.
We finish our business in Baywhite, and then Sebastian, Adeline, and I travel to Fermall. It takes us several days by carriage, and it’s raining when we finally arrive at The Dappled Mare Inn.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Adeline kneels and clings to Flink.
She looks like she’s going to cry. The dragon yawns, and sparks wisp from his mouth.
I shake my head. “No. We’ll be back in a few hours.”
Nodding, she tearfully relinquishes the dragon. He’s even larger now. He walks on his tether like a gentleman, and he rarely hiccups flames anymore. People give him plenty of room when we pass, but as long as he controls his elements, no one makes much of a fuss.
We make our way to the questionable part of the port city. As before, people loiter about in shadows, watching us. It’s hard to blend in when you’re walking a dragon the size of a miniature donkey.
Sebastian doesn’t say much. Though he’ll never admit it, I think he’s grown fond of the dragon as well.
We open the shoppe door, and Flink sneezes out sparks when a puff of dust reaches him.
“Hello?” Sebastian calls.
If anything, the disarray is worse than the last time we were here. After several more calls, the shopkeeper wanders from the back. He narrows his eyes at me, probably wondering why I look familiar, and then his gaze falls on the dragon. His face breaks into a wide smile. “Oh, look at him. He’s glorious. Just like his mother.”
My chest hurts, and my heart feels like it’s twisting itself in knots. “I’ve come to return him.”
The shopkeeper nods. “Captain Greybrow said you would.”
It irks me that Avery already guessed it.
“How could you put a tracking spell on him?” I demand. “Is that even safe?”
He bristles. “Of course, it’s safe. I wouldn’t harm him for anything.”
“How large will the dragon grow?” Sebastian asks, surprising me by changing the subject.
“He’s a lesser dragon. His mother was about the size of a pony.”
“A lesser dragon?” I demand. “Impossible. They’re extinct, were hunted out centuries ago.”
“Rare—but not gone,” the shopkeeper corrects.
My shoulders sag. I was worried Flink was going to be as large as a house, and here he is, almost done growing. For some reason, that little fact makes giving him up more difficult.
“Can you remove the tracking spell?” Sebastian asks.
“I can.” The shopkeeper takes his glasses off and attempts to clean them with his shirt.
Sebastian crosses his arms and narrows his eyes. “How much would it cost?”
I know that look—he’s preparing to do business with this man. I turn to him, about to ask him what he’s up to, but my friend holds up a hand, asking me to be patient.
“The dragon was a loan,” the man says. “Captain Greybrow said you wouldn’t want to keep him. Just as he said, you’ve brought him back. I’ll worry about the t
racking spell. Your end of the bargain is complete.”
“I want to buy him from you.” Sebastian steps up to the counter.
“Sebastian—”
He cuts me off, still talking to the man. “How much do you want for both him and the removal of the spell?”
I continue to object, but the men pay no attention to me. The shopkeeper thinks about it for several moments. “Three thousand denats.”
I gasp, but Sebastian leans forward, ready to barter. “Two thousand five hundred.”
“Done.”
Gaping at them like I’m a fish out of water, I watch Sebastian pay the man. After it’s done, the shopkeeper leads Flink into the back, talking all kinds of friendly nonsense to him. Oddly, the dragon looks as if he understands.
“Why did you do that?” I ask Sebastian.
He faces me and sets his hands on my shoulders. His thumbs brush my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “He is my gift to you. Avery has nothing to do with it. Now when you see the inconvenient beast…I hope you’ll think of me.”
I won’t lie; I get a little teary. “Sebastian.”
Forgetting we’re in the middle of the dusty, dreary shoppe, I wrap my arms around his middle. I sink into him, barely noticing when the shopkeeper and Flink return.
“Oh,” the man says absently, patting his hands over his too-large jacket. “I was supposed to give you something. What was it?”
He stares into space for a moment, and I exchange a look with Sebastian.
“Right.” The shopkeeper snaps, remembering. He opens his desk and pulls out a note. “For you.”
Wary, I accept it and break the seal—a seal marked with a decorative, swirling G.
A familiar seal.
Gulping, filled with dread, I break the wax and flip the parchment open. There are only three words:
I’ll be waiting.
Silver & Orchids, Book 2
Now Available
>>Click Here to View the Book on Amazon<<
The captain of the Greybrow Serpent is the last man Lucia’s willing to trust. But he’s the only one who can save her.
Lucia’s dreamed of finding Avery for a solid two months. In every one of her fantasies, the dashing captain has been on the deadly end of her dagger. Unfortunately, their reunion is not all she hoped it would be. The captain is back, but he comes bearing news: the Duke of Mesilca holds a grudge, and he’s set a bounty on their heads.
Now Lucia’s running from bounty hunters, partnering with a man with the morals of a snake, and forcing Sebastian to court Adeline in a desperate attempt to keep the innocent seamstress safe.
Captain Greybrow is the only one with a solid plan, one that will take Lucia into the heart of forbidden, siren-inhabited waters. But after Avery’s betrayal, can Lucia find a way to trust him again? It won’t be easy, especially when it appears the captain has yet another hidden agenda.
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About the Author
Shari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing. She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
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Books:
Silver & Orchids
Moss Forest Orchid
Greybrow Serpent
Wildwood Larkwing
Fire & Feathers: Novelette Prequel to Moss Forest Orchid
Eldentimber Series
Pippa of Lauramore
Anwen of Primewood
Seirsha of Errinton
Rosie of Triblue
Audette of Brookraven
Grace of Vernow: An Eldentimber Novelette
Fairy Tale Kingdoms
Puss without Boots: A Puss in Boots Retelling
Contemporary Fiction
Just the Essentials
Glitter and Sparkle
Shine and Shimmer