Ainsley looked away suddenly, like something at the far side of Roya Lane had stolen her attention. “Oh, that thing…yeah, I played around with it, I guess.”
“It’s such an interesting magical object,” Sophia related. “To be able to see your life if you made different decisions. I bet it’s a head trip.”
“Not as much as you’d think.” The elf still wouldn’t meet Sophia’s gaze.
“So how is your work with the Elfin Council going?” Sophia tried to change the subject, sensing the stress that Ainsley tried to hide.
She shrugged and appeared disinterested. “It’s the same old, same old.”
Sophia couldn’t help but laugh. “Only you would say that about doing international delegate work for a governing body after being stuck at the Gullington for centuries.”
Amusement danced in Ainsley’s eyes before she shook it away. “The Gullington during the dark ages was interesting. It seemed there was always something going on. I mean, you live around dragons, and it’s never a dull moment, but don’t tell anyone I said that. It’s better if I pretended to loathe it, even back then.”
Sophia ran her fingers over her mouth like she was zipping her lips shut.
“Well, tell the others that…no, don’t tell them you saw me,” Ainsley stated. “Or do and say that I looked better than ever, full of life, and richer than ever. Oh, and somehow let it slip that I’m dating an elfin warlock by the name of Gregor Flamel the Second.”
“Oh, are you?” Sophia asked, suddenly curious.
Ainsley shook her head. “No, but he’s a devilishly good-looking guy who everyone knows.”
Sophia was pretty sure that by “everyone,” Ainsley meant, “Hiker.”
“I’ll let it slip,” Sophia stated. “I’m sure the others will be happy to hear you’re doing well.”
“Maybe,” Ainsley muttered, not at all looking convinced. “Well, I’m sure you’re busy trying to save the world. I’ll leave you to it.”
“The Gullington, currently,” Sophia admitted, remembering her present mission.
The look of concern on Ainsley’s face was immediate. “The Gullington? What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?”
Sophia nodded at once. “Yes, it’s just that the sheep are exploding. It gave Lunis an awful stomachache at first, but he’s fine, and Quiet has secured a different food source for the time being. But I’m here to fix the water supply, which caused it.”
Ainsley laughed with relief. “Oh, little bits of wool everywhere. I bet Quiet is livid.”
“He’s muttering nonstop and definitely peeved,” Sophia admitted.
“Well, tell him that I said hello. Then inform Evan that I said to tuck in his shirt. And tell Wilder that his hair is messed up.” She laughed. “He’ll rush off to fix it, I bet. Let Mahkah know that he’s still my favorite, and hug Mama Jamba for me.”
Sophia waited, thinking that there was one last message that Ainsley forgot to pass along. However, the elf smiled and said, “That’s it. You take care of yourself, S. Beaufont. You hear?”
She nodded. “I will, of course. And you too.”
The elfin man backed away, a look of sentimentality heavy in his eyes as he disappeared into the crowd.
Sophia waved at her friend, wishing that she’d have mentioned Hiker at least once. But again, she didn’t know where her place was in the assorted affairs between the leader of the Dragon Elite and the delegate for the Elfin Council.
Chapter Ninety-Two
After the reunion with Ainsley, Sophia felt heavier. It was good to see her friend, but also made her wish that nothing had changed. That always felt like the way for her. When she’d come to the Gullington, she missed her family and was torn between them and starting a new life. It was always the good with the bad—progress mixed with painful nostalgia.
That was one of the reasons she hurried to the Crying Cat Bakery. Also, she knew that she needed to get to the exploding sheep as soon as possible and that her friend would probably take her mind off her troubles. She hoped so. Or at the very least, she could ask Lee to slap her in the face, and that would do the trick. The assassin baker would welcome such an opportunity.
When Sophia entered the Crying Cat Bakery, she found King Rudolf Sweetwater leaning over one of the counters with a stack of pictures in his hands.
“You should have seen it,” he gushed while sorting through the prints. “The Captains had the best time, and they all built bears that have been eating through the pantry at night, although I suspect it might be Serena since I could have sworn she had Dorito dust on her fingers this morning when we woke up. She said it was because she caught the bears in the act and had to slap them silly, but I’m not sure.”
Lee feigned a smile and waved Sophia in as she approached the counter. “Rudolf was just showing me his triplets’ birthday celebration.”
“It was fun,” Sophia said. “Whoever arranged it is nice.”
“Sounds like a horrible person who would like to remain nameless,” Lee stated with deliberation in her voice, her eyes wide.
“It was Sophia,” Rudolf stated, then put his arm around her without her permission and hugged her tightly. “She’s always doing the nicest things, like making my wife live a few extra decades—”
“I did that for several million dollars,” Sophia argued.
“And saving me from abduction,” Rudolf went on dreamily.
“That was to save the Dragon Elite and bring down Nevin Gooseman,” she countered.
“And leaving that package of recreational drugs on my doorstep,” Rudolf continued.
“That wasn’t me,” Sophia replied.
He smiled. “Well, still, it’s the thought that counts. Your thank-you note for the hallucinogens is in the mail, although because of the previously mentioned drugs, I might have only imagined writing a thank you note and sending it. Only time will tell.”
“Can’t wait,” Sophia said with a fake smile.
“Do you want to see the pictures from the Captains’ birthday?” Rudolf shoved the prints in her face.
Sophia shook her head. “I’m good, but thanks. I was there, remember?”
He shrugged. “Not really. That’s why I took pictures.” Rudolf glanced down at the top copy, which showed a group shot of everyone at the party. “Oh, you were there! That’s right. And you kept thinking that the Captains were the same age.”
“It was their birthday,” Sophia reasoned. “They’re triplets.”
Rudolf shook his head and looked at Lee. “Explaining how math works to this blonde will be the death of me. Anyway, I’m off to conduct fae business. Someone has to keep the best empire in the world afloat.”
“And what will you do all day?” Lee asked as he progressed toward the door.
Without missing a beat, Rudolf waved and smiled over his shoulder. “I was told to stay out of the way by those I employ. They say that on the days I leave the kingdom they get the most amount of work done. So hopefully I’ve been gone long enough for them to solve our financial crisis and create solutions to the fae educational system because Papa needs a nappy nap.”