XIII

No one spoke at first, and the shop fell under confused silence. Elanor noticed that Hazel was avoiding looking in her eyes, but did not pry on it further and just awkwardly thanked him and his team for such beautiful work.

Poor guy, he must hate the idea of pretending to be married to someone else. Banter is one thing, but this was probably too much. I should go and look for him.

"Hazel, let me go find him to make sure everything is fine," she said, as she took Lumi's leash. "You'll have to help me, boy."

Hazel nodded and, for some reason, looked like he was trying to hide a smile. Elanor assumed he was happy not to be the one to deal with the dramatic Talvi right now. Following the Samoyed, she left the atelier and was led past the seashell house down the cobblestone street until Lumi signaled that they needed to turn. She peeked out from the corner and saw Tal pacing back and forth along the shoreline, his long legs causing his steps to be so big that they covered the distance in each direction in just three movements, making the whole scene look a little silly and endearing. She retreated back around the corner and had a quick cup of tea from her now favourite mug in the world, giving him more time to calm down. 

Faeries would glance at her nonstop when she was walking next to the merchant this morning, but now very few of them paid her any attention. The disguise, therefore, was very comforting, but she removed the belt and put it on inside out to hopefully not cause Talvi any more misery. She was pleased to realize that the heavy bag was still concealed and supported in the magical way of the belt's pouch, even when the glamour was "turned off".

When Lara left the retreat of the street corner and walked towards the riverbank, Talvi was sitting on a stone bench in a very dramatic pose, which was, however, so theatrical on his lanky frame, she could not help but smile. She noticed he had a slight limp today that was not there last night, and it seemed to have gotten worse. Elanor wasn't sure he heard her approach since he did not move, but when she started speaking, the elf rubbed his face and turned to look at her with a casual expression, only a little melancholic. 

"Are you feeling alright? Did we do something wrong?" tried Elanor softly.

"No such thing. I'm afraid I can't explain myself for now," Talvi shook his head and smiled apologetically.

"I knew my beauty could cross the worlds, but never before had a man literally lose his speech until today," teased Elanor, using banter as a way to help move past awkwardness. At this, Talvi laughed.

"Your beauty could ruin kingdoms, Lara," immediately returned the fae, visibly livelier. Elanor was glad that the strategy she picked worked so well. "We can go back so Hazel gets his payment. I only decided to rehearse the speech loss for our little affair later today. Admit it, my actor's talent almost matches your comeliness."

"My good sir, we shall never know what role you're best at: a flatterer or a braggart," teased Elanor. 

"Slander!" pretended to be indignant Talvi. Elanor extended her hand in an invitation to help the young man stand up. He accepted it gratefully, and together with Lumi they started heading back. 

Hazel was fussing over a garment when they returned and acted like nothing had happened. His staff offered everyone another round of tea, but the visitors politely declined. They were thanking Hazel and the team for a hundredth time when a silver flicker flashed out of Talvi's pocket with a sizzling sound, reached his face and exploded into flashes, like a sparkler. Hazel reacted first.

"That is-"

"That is exactly what you think. I don't have much time. Lara, I need a word-" replied the elf, turning to Elanor and leading her aside by the shoulders. 

Elanor tried to see in his face whether the spark was a good sign or a bad sign, but Talvi looked neutral, only a little more serious than usual. He was holding her shoulders still and leaned ahead a bit, so that their faces were on the same level. His dark eyes, magnetic as always, were making Elanor feel flustered.

"I'm afraid I need to leave you and take care of some business before we travel to Seelie court. Can you stay with Hazel for a while?"

Elanor could not reply right away because the closeness of his face enthralled her; she had to make an effort to focus and repeated his message in her head. Then she frowned:

"Oh! For how long?" was the only thing she could think to reply.

"It should not take me longer than a couple of days," he said, taking her hand in his gently. His voice, for the first time, sounded nervous. "Will you wait for me?"

The girl did not think too long about it. She could not believe it had been only a few days since she left home, and she met this stranger yesterday. But standing here, surrounded by extravagant alien garments, magic belt at her waist, Lumi, who was waiting patiently a few steps aside; she was taking it all in and realizing for the first time in years she felt excitement. And there was Talvi. His charms could probably convince rocks they are cotton candy; he stood before her, shy, waiting for her reply as if his life depended on it, beautiful as a god. Learning he is probably going through loss of his bride, or trying to find her, made her see this unserious phasant as some living protagonist of a romantic tragedy. Wasn't she always dreaming of experiencing adventure like in the hundreds of books she read? 

"Alright. Please, be careful, Tal," she said finally, trying to sound nonchalant. 

"See you soon, little Lark," he whispered, and then quickly lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, stepping away before Elanor could react. 

Talvi's pocket suddenly produced another spark, exploding in front of his face in a red flash. He was on his way to the door, miraculously not bumping into any mannequins despite his height and limp. 

"Hazel, my friend, I have to ask you for a favour. Please let Elanor stay here until I'm back... Maybe it's for the best, she could meet Lady Mira?" asked the fae already in the doorframe. 

"I will keep her safe, go," promised Hazel. The merchant raised his hand in gratitude, sent the last brief glance to Elanor and rushed forth. 

And so, Talvi stepped out and disappeared.