Chapter Two
“Do you need some help?”
“No, I do not need help,” I huffed as I pushed the press down with all my strength. “I have managed this on my own for years, I don’t need—” The press had finally forced down under my weight, but the result was me sitting on the floor with my legs in front of me in a most embarrassing manner.
Or rather, it would be embarrassing if something more embarrassing hadn’t immediately followed. For as soon as I looked up at the man who had offered his assistance, I was overwhelmed by the face looking back at me.
He was perfectly ordinary in appearance, but the smile he gave was utter perfection—outshined only by his delightful blue eyes.
“You should have accepted my help,” he pointed out.
Great, just what I needed today. Another man’s appearance ruined the moment he opened his mouth.
“I should have ensured this press was working before placing my entire body against it.”
He glanced down at my legs, still decidedly in front of me, and raised a brow. “Well, it isn’t as though there’s much of your body. You’re quite short.”
“I… Well, I…” I sputtered, surprise painting my features before the scowl I knew I often wore covered my face. “Well, that’s just rude.”
“It’s not rude,” he stated. “It’s just a matter of fact.”
I dusted off my apron, which was covered with wet coffee grounds, then stared at my hands for a moment, realizing what I had just done. The sticky substance was trailing down my arms, straight into my sleeves, as I continued to sit in the mess.
Really, I didn’t know how to recover from this with someone so handsome, yet so ordinary and annoying, above me. Was he just going to stand there?
Oh, he probably wants a drink!
“Were you wanting a beverage, sir?” My voice had an edge to it, but that couldn’t be helped when dealing with him.
“Ah yes, Calista…” His voice trailed off as he read my name tag. “But I wasn’t sure how to ask, and besides, I don’t mind waiting. I’d be happy to help you get this all sorted.”
He was trying to be helpful, but his offer only fueled my annoyance. “I can manage.”
“Yes, yes, I know.” His smile was dazzling, and I had to remind myself that his appearance was truly quite ordinary.
It didn’t matter if there was something about him; one couldn’t afford to get involved, especially with humans being as rare as they were.
Sure, some passed through here and there, but this wasn’t exactly prime traveling season—it was at least four months past the season.
“I’ll help, anyway,” he offered.
“You can’t just do whatever tickles your fancy around here.”
“Why, I haven’t tickled anyone’s fancy!” he shot back. “I haven’t even said hello to a fancy.” His last words were delivered as though they were a joke.
“No, no, I didn’t mean a living fancy. I meant a passing fancy.”
His brow furrowed as he looked down at me in confusion. “A what now?”
“What about that statement confuses you?”
He blinked. “All of it. What do you mean by a living fancy?”
“You know.” I rolled my eyes, still seated on the floor, preparing to utter the well-known phrase of Coven Haven, our little corner of Wylionis. “A living fancy. A fabled elf. A human of stature. A riddled self. A curious dwarf. A searching thimble. A conniving sable. A dagger so nimble…”
“Are…are those all words?”
Whoever this man was, he certainly wasn’t from around here. Who on earth couldn’t recognize the names of the eight races of Wylionis?
“Just what we need, a traveler.”
“Did you hit your head when you fell down?” He leaned over the counter, concern painting his face. “I could call for help. If you require assistance, that is.”
I grasped the edge above me, pulling myself up.
With a glare, I shook off the remnants of humiliation and looked over the man before me.
He was human, that was a fact. His hair was so black, it looked almost blue but carried hints of gray.
His eyes could carry one away like a breeze that teased a feather.
He was taller than I was, although that wasn’t saying much since nearly everyone was.
And he wasn’t carrying bags, or really much of anything.
“Who are you?” My eyes narrowed. “And why are you here?”
“Aleixo.” He avoided my gaze before he cleared his throat. “I came to ask about that silver ball in the window. Why is it there? And aren’t you concerned someone will steal it?”