CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“What do you think of the market?” Corvin asked after we’d perused the first row of vendor stalls.
Nix padded along at our side, now too heavy to sit comfortably across my shoulders.
What did I think? Wandering through the crowd made me glad we’d selected a medium-sized market.
I could hardly fathom the number of people a larger city might have drawn.
If you asked me, there were far too many bodies occupying the street, making it impossible to look at the stalls and booths on display without accidentally touching a stranger’s shoulder or getting unexpectedly jostled by the people walking behind you.
And the noise. The omnipresent sound of shouting voices as people haggled and bartered over wares. Not to mention the sweaty tang of the crowd, barely overpowered by the smell of freshly baked bread. “It’s all a bit overwhelming,” I admitted.
“Not as tranquil as your island, that’s for sure,” Corvin responded with a kind chuckle.
It’s not all bad. I snuck a sideways glance at his tall frame.
Despite the chaos of the market, I always seemed to feel calm in his presence.
And his enthusiasm for novelty was contagious.
More than once, I found myself pausing to take another look at the craftsmanship on display after Corvin shared a kind word with the vendor or pointed out something I’d failed to appreciate at first glance.
The wares on display were striking, but even so, my eyes continually passed them over, gravitating upward toward the strong lines of Corvin’s handsome face.
My heart started to hammer, thinking about how this outing, unlike our other adventures, could be construed as a date.
Was this just another chance for Corvin to help fulfill his debt to me?
Or was he also aware this was the first time we’d been alone together since things…
shifted…between us? Since we shared that kiss in front of the cottage.
Approaching the jeweler’s residence all but derailed that line of thought, reminding me we were here on business and there was something I wished to accomplish during our day at the marketplace, that had nothing to do with the frequency in which my gaze was drawn to the curve of Corvin’s lips or the strong arch of his brow.
The jeweler’s building was easy to spot—because it was positively swarming with guards.
They were impressively outfitted too. Thieves beware.
It was obvious the Jeweler’s Guild took no chances when they went to market, but that made sense to me.
After all, they were the merchants with the most valuable wares.
At least, if the stained-glass windows decorating the building’s exterior were any indication.
They must have cost a fortune. None of the other nearby shops looked quite so decadent.
And of course, the richly dressed noblewomen, trickling in and out of the building, draped head to toe in sparkling gemstones, implied a particularly wealthy clientele.
Corvin patiently agreed to wait for me, murmuring something about buying Nix some fish at a nearby stall.
I walked inside alone, ushered by the guards.
The shelves of the shop’s spacious interior were overflowing with items for sale.
My eyes skimmed over jewel-encrusted perfume bottles, dresses, girdles, brooches, necklaces, and much more.
The jeweler was clearly a master of his craft, because each item filling the shelves was more exquisite than the last.
He sat at the back of the room at a polished mahogany table covered in the tools of his trade.
A small glass monocle stretched across one of his deep blue eyes, attached at the other end to a long golden chain.
I located his name, Gail Grilask, neatly inscribed upon the framed license hanging above him on the wall.
“How may I help you?” the man asked, setting down the emerald in his hand.
“I’d like to schedule a meeting with the members of your guild,” I declared.
He scrutinized me thoroughly—like any self-respecting jeweler, his gaze went immediately to the moonstone pendant hanging around my neck.
From there, his eyes trailed upward, lingering with wary surprise on my pointed ears.
Even in the Kingdom of Sivell, the only place without a direct entrance to the Fae courts, the populace knew better than to break a deal brokered with the Fae, with someone like me.
I felt a small degree of guilt over the intimidation tactic, but I was willing to exploit my Fae heritage if it meant convincing the jeweler’s guild to trade honestly with me, even if it was an empty threat since I didn’t actually understand how to make a magically binding deal.
“Who are you?” he asked, his voice guarded. “And why do you want to meet with our guild?”
“My name is Elvira Hallwell. But I possess another title, a much older title, that this realm has forgotten, but will one day know again. The Midnight Sovereign. I’m also known by another name—one more relevant to our business here.
The Moonstone Maiden. I want to meet with your guild because I can offer you a steady supply of moonstones, and because I believe you may be able to assist me in return. ”
The man scoffed. “We serve the Sivellian Noble Houses, supplying them with the highest quality gemstones money can buy. I’ve heard tales about a stone that shimmers with the light of the moon, but I can tell you right now, the guild has no interest in purchasing something out of a children’s fairy tale…
” His face went pale, perhaps worried I would take offense at his choice of words.
I summoned silvery threads of moonlight, wrapping them around my arms. “I’m not offering you an imaginary stone. I’m offering you solidified moonlight, which contains more power than you know.”
His face grew a shade paler, the disdain vanishing from his voice as he said, “Alright, let me take a look.”
I approached his table, placing a single moonstone in front of him.
He wrinkled his forehead, reaching for a small magnifying glass.
He held it above the moonstone, rotating it in a slow, thorough inspection.
“Too few inclusions to be an agate,” he muttered to himself.
Then moments later, in a voice filled with awe, he murmured, “I never would have thought—and yet…its striking luminescence, its flawless clarity, its glowing silvery-white light. So, this is a moonstone.” He brought the milky-white stone closer to his monocle, scrutinizing it even more fervently.
“Holding this now, I’m starting to believe the stories may be true.
I think you’ve brought me something very valuable indeed.
I have to admit it’s unlike anything I’ve ever laid eyes upon before. ”
He leaned forward eagerly, rubbing his hands together. “Tell me—are you willing to part with it? If so, name your price.”
I shook my head. “I’m not looking to strike a single deal.
I’m looking to establish a long-term relationship with your guild.
I have more than just one moonstone to offer you.
But I want something in return. I want you to distribute a free moonstone to the populace for each one you sell, so that they can spread throughout the realm.
If you’re willing to agree to such an arrangement, to draft a contract to sign, then I’ll bring you more of them in the future, and even pay you a distribution fee.
You can keep the moonstone I’ve given you as a sample too, to show to the other members of your guild. ”
“You want to pay us to distribute them? What’s the catch? Are the moonstones stolen? Cursed? Counterfeit? Liable to explode?”
I supposed I couldn’t blame the man for being cautious.
“There is no catch. Moonstones used to be prevalent. I want them to be widespread among the people again. My position requires it,” I responded, trying to reassure him.
“This could be a mutually beneficial arrangement. One that could prove quite lucrative for your guild. I come to you as the Moonstone Maiden. I’m not motivated by a desire to make money—I have a deeper purpose.
” I summoned my powers until incandescent moonlight swirled all around me, hoping the display of power might reinforce the truth behind my words.
The jeweler stroked his short beard, thinking over my proposal. Finally, he nodded. “I’m willing to bring this moonstone to the guild and see what they think. If they’re amenable, I’ll draft a contract with the terms you have described. Then we can meet again to discuss.”
“It’s a deal,” I said, sticking out my hand after shamelessly brushing my hair back to fully expose my pointed ears again.
The jeweler gulped, but he accepted the handshake, albeit with slightly sweaty palms.
“It’s a deal,” he repeated back.
I left his shop, hopeful I accomplished something worthwhile.
I found Corvin and Nix sitting at the edge of a large stone fountain, each chowing down on some roasted fish.
I wedged myself in between them, declining Corvin’s offer to share with a shake of my head.
“How’d it go?” he asked, using his teeth to tear off another bite.
“I think the meeting went well,” I responded.
“I told him I would return later to finalize our agreement. The jeweler seemed intrigued by the moonstone I gave him, at the very least.”
“Is there anything else you want to do today?” Corvin asked.
“There is one more thing. I’d like to plant a few of these moonflower seeds. Preferably somewhere they won’t be trampled.”
“I noticed a small communal garden in the market square. We could plan them there,” he suggested.
Nix twitched his nose and whiskers, sniffing the air. “Just keep in mind—it’s going to snow soon.”
“You think so?” I asked skeptically, gazing up at the clear sky. “But it’s so sunny right now.”