Splendid Fall

Ch.31 Old Friend

Chapter 31

"We have to take those cuffs off," Birdie said, running out of the ship as soon as they lowered the anchors at Yuri.

"Yes, obviously, genius," Wren grabbed her hand and pulled her into an alleyway. "Put up the cloaking spell. There will be palace guards everywhere now."

Birdie opened her palm and closed her eyes. She summoned her magic and felt her skin tingle as the protective invisible shield formed around them. When she opened her eyes once more, she found Wren looking around at the people in the streets.

"We need to go west," he said.

"The giants are in the east," Birdie pointed.

"The peddlers are in the west," Wren glared. "We need these cuffs off before we go anywhere."

"Do you know any peddlers?" Birdie asked, skeptically.

"No, but how hard can it be to find one willing to undo a jinn spell?" Wren stepped out of the alley way.

"Which way?" Birdie asked, following him.

Wren didn't reply. He just turned and set off across the street. Mumbling under her breath, Birdie followed, not wanting to lose him in the crowd.

"How do we even find a paddler?" She asked, wishing the spell would ward off the people as she got bumped around and flinched every time someone touched her. "Isn't there any other way?"

Wren looked over his shoulder to find Birdie tugging at the sleeves of her dress. She stood with her arms tightly wrapped around herself as her head turned in all directions like his birds back in the palace. He could see how uncomfortable she was. The urge to pull her beside him and make her walk between his arms dared to surface but Wren quickly snuffed it out as he continued to speed away.

"There's a tavern ahead," Wren announced. "We can find all sorts of people there."

Birdie followed the fey, occasionally grabbing his sleeve when he moved too quickly for her to keep up with.

"The cloaking spell won't work on you if you keep running from me as if I have the plague," Birdie snapped when Wren clicked his tongue and frowned at her holding his sleeve.

Wren's eyes narrowed and darkened as he mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Birdie's brows furrowed. "What did you say?"

"I said I can't wait to have my magic back so I don't have to deal with all these limitations," Wren said impatiently.

"Well, then get moving!" Birdie said in anger. "I don't want any part of you in me."

"Why?" Wren laughed. "Adan won't survive a little competition?"

"There is no competition," Birdie narrowed her eyes. "And stop bringing him up."

"Why?" Wren challenged again, stepping forward. "Are you afraid your prince charming won't be able to win if he's against me?"

"You would never win me," Birdie shook her head. "I will always choose him."

"Who said anything about winning you?" Wren tilted his head.

Birdie felt her cheeks warm as if she was sitting by a blazing fire. Maybe it was the blazing fire in her heart.

"Don't go thinking you're so special, sultana," Wren said, turning towards the tavern they had been searching for.

Birdie suddenly laughed, "Bitch, please!"