Chapter 3 #3
“Dex, what is—” Yerina gasped as he set the crate on the back room’s large table. Dozens of mugs and a few smaller teapots were nestled inside, cushioned by old burlap sacks.
“Nothing fancy,” Dexter said, unpacking the crate. “It’s all northern style, but they match. Mostly.”
“Hush, you. They’re wonderful.” Yerina lifted a mug, smiling as she admired its gently undulating lines. “You’re wonderful. How can I ever repay you?”
“You already have,” he mumbled.
Yerina’s head tilted in question.
“It’s… it’s the look on your face. The way you smile when you see… anything,” he said, nodding toward the mug in her hands. “You’re happy. That’s all I want.”
“Oh, Dexter, you can’t…” A shaky laugh colored her exhale. “You’re allowed to want more than that. Please. This is too much for just—” Yerina fumbled for the right words. She made a helpless gesture. “Me.”
Dexter faced her. Stood so close that she could feel the warmth of him. His hand came up as if to caress her cheek but stopped just short. His fingers trembled, yearning but unsure.
“You called us friends,” he murmured.
“We-we are, aren’t we?”
“Is that all you want for us?”
The sound of her heart pounded in Yerina’s ears. Dexter’s face was so perfectly still, so perfectly serious, his expression giving nothing away. He looked as if he could wait forever for her answer.
The tiny blossoms of hope and nostalgia Yerina had kept quiet in her heart swelled up. Pushed back all of her thoughts to be content with the past.
Yerina leaned into Dexter’s hand and let herself reach for the future.
“More,” she whispered. “I want us to be so much more.”
He cradled her face between his hands, gently lifting her mouth up to him.
Dexter’s kiss was soft at first. Careful, as if he expected Yerina to pull back. But there was no changing her mind. No more denying how she’d longed for this. How she’d missed him, and how years later it was still only Dexter who her head and heart wanted.
Yerina gripped his arms, tugging him closer as her lips parted for him. He groaned, angling her mouth more to his liking so his tongue could sweep in. Yerina giggled, shyly stroking his tongue with her own. He smelled like clay and fire, the scents instantly familiar to her.
Dexter pressed her against the table, releasing her face so he could trail kisses down her neck.
Yerina’s head fell back, a low moan escaping.
She shivered when he licked the base of her neck, sucking at her pulse.
His hand caressed her through her blouse, his fingers squeezing her breast. She arched into his touch, a breathless whimper escaping her lips.
“Dex.” She moaned again as he pressed against her and she felt him thickening against her leg.
Reclaiming her mouth, his fingers tugged at her hem. Yerina reached to help, pulling the fabric clear of her skirt’s waistband—
A crash in the front room had them staggering apart. Yerina’s hand went to her mouth, a hysterical, hoarse sound muffled behind her fingers as she took in Dexter’s rumpled appearance. When had his tunic been pulled askew? Her eyes darted lower, to the bulge of his trousers.
Shuffling footsteps sounded close to the back room’s connecting door. Yerina hastily re-tucked her blouse, starting toward the front room without a backward glance. Before she got there, Anadae slowly trudged in, head bowed. A mug with a broken handle filled her small hands.
“I’m sorry, Auntie,” Anadae mumbled, voice trembling.
“What happened, Ana?”
“I tried to use my magic to dry it,” the little girl whispered.
It was the mug Dexter had first brought from his home. Yerina looked over her shoulder to find him leaning casually against the table, clothing lying perfectly straight. She gave Anadae a gentle nudge toward him. “This is Dexter’s mug, Ana. You should apologize to him too.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Dexter,” Anadae said, brown eyes glittering with the threat of tears.
Dexter stared down at the little girl. For a moment, he didn’t speak, but just as Yerina was about to intervene, he knelt. At eye level with Anadae, he murmured, “Everyone makes mistakes. The good ones own it.” He took the broken pottery and held them up.
“Can you fix—”
“It’s my fault too.” Eunny hovered in the doorway, toe scuffing the ground. “I dared her to use her magic.”
Dexter straightened up. “Honesty is good.” He glanced at Yerina. “But as punishment, I think these two should come with me and learn how to dispose of this right.”
Yerina slowly nodded, struggling to keep her face even semi-serious. “I think that sounds responsible. Girls, you mind Dexter, you hear? Sylveren is—”
“Sylveren?” they said in unison.
In the blink of an eye, the children went from somber to elated, running amok and chattering over the top of each other as Yerina directed them to gather their cloaks.
If Dexter had any misgivings about his proposed lesson on consequences, he hid them well.
The only acknowledgment of their back room activities was a smoldering glance sent Yerina’s way, then he followed the children out into the street.
Haze passed the trio as they made their way into the shop, a folio tucked under one arm.
“Brave man,” they said, head jerking toward Dexter’s retreating back. “Where are they off to?”
“Up to the school. We may never see them again,” Yerina said with a laugh. “I didn’t think you’d be back until later.”
“Change of plans.” Haze shook their head. “Ran into some Central folks while I was doing my rounds. The Thomases? Said they’ve met you.”
“Briefly,” Yerina said warily.
Haze’s eyes swept over the tearoom, making sure the few patrons were settled. They drew Yerina into the back and handed her the folio.
“The Thomases are bad news. Rumor back home is they’ve been trying to expand business for the Coalition into the Valley for years, using rich Central families as a cover,” Haze said.
“Why? The Coalition won’t override the Valley’s authority within its borders,” Yerina said. “Will it?”
Haze shrugged. “Maybe not in the long run, but a lot of shady shit can be done pretty quick if you’re determined.
They’d argue the Leaf is a Graelynd property.
” Haze pointed with their chin at the folio, urging Yerina to open it.
“That might buy you a little time if things go badly. You’ve been in Sylvan long enough the town could claim you’re one of them. ”
The folio held an official copy of the Mighty Leaf’s deed, naming Yerina Song as the owner. Haze’s signature was joined by that of a clerk representing the Order of Sylveren, who governed the Valley, and the wax seal of their office.
Yerina stared at the paper. “Haze… But-but I haven’t— The Leaf hasn’t paid off—”
“You’re on track,” they said. “You have a vision for this place. You love it. You get it, what the Leaf means and how it fits in here. You do all of that, Yeri. I don’t need to wait a few more weeks to see it.”
With a hand that shook, Yerina traced the outline of her name on the page. Owner of the Mighty Leaf. Her name.
Only her name.
“Er, Haze? What about…” Yerina’s voice failed at Haze’s blunt look.
“Funny story. I asked around while I was catching up with some friends. Thing is, most of ‘em don’t remember that sister of yours.” Haze raised an eyebrow. “At the inn, they say she flounced off right after you got here, leaving you and her kids.”
“She’s— Bioon’s got a lot…” Yerina sighed. “It’s difficult, Haze. She’s not a bad person.”
“Family’s family, Yeri. I’m not going to tell you how to handle that. But the Leaf deserves more than Not Bad. It deserves you.” They nodded at the paperwork. “The Leaf is yours now. Want to add her name? I can’t stop you.”
“Haze.”
They held up a hand. “I’m just asking you to think long and hard about it first. You’ve got a big heart, Yerina. That’s a lot of love to give.” Haze gave her a hug. “Also makes a hell of a target. You take care now. Keep both eyes open.”
Yerina hugged her mentor again, tight enough that their “Oof” ruffled Yerina’s hair. “I will,” she murmured. “Thanks Haze, for everything. I won’t let you down.”
She went with them to the door, waving until Haze was out of sight. Yerina tucked the deed safely back into its folio before making herself a cup of tea. After checking on her customers, she settled at the counter, Haze’s warning still ringing in her mind.