Black Ice ✓ | Deathsworn #1

Chapter 9 ∞ Nostalgia

Conveniently, the streets that led to the so-called statue happened to go through the leisure district. I doubted a thick crowd we were presented earlier would be present all the time. I knew this was a busy city, but surely it wasn't this busy?

"During testing days, people from all over the country come to take part," my mother said. "Business booms during these days. Lots of customers. The inns are booked to the last room."

Erenol and I excitedly stared at the colorful bulbs lining the lamp posts. There were wide sidewalks that extended twenty to thirty steps from the stores. The roads were lined with burnished brown trees that had recently began to breathe in the life of spring. I was reminded of the classic, romantic Paris roads, especially on winter days. The season was still cool as we had just entered spring season. I found the weather particularly refreshing, even under the harsh sun. The spirit of winter was not truly gone.

I took a deep breath when we passed by a stall. There was a guy grilling barbeque sticks on the counter. The smell of it was appetizing! Seeing the smoke rise and the oil sizzle, my mouth practically flooded.

I felt Eren's hand tighten around mine. I looked at my companion and found her just as tempted as me.

"Come on, you two." Hellenia laughed. We went to the stall. I jumped excitedly on the balls of my toes and Eren mirrored my excitement. "Would you give us three of your classics please?" She handed over some coins.

"Three classics coming right up." The man accepted the payment and began preparing the order.

We didn't have to wait long. Three sticks of steaming, glazed meat were handed to my mother. She offered them to us, letting us pick before taking the last one for herself. I wanted to let go of Eren's hand to eat mine but she wouldn't. I didn't know what she was afraid of, but I didn't insist on it and settled with eating with one hand. It's not like I needed two. It would've been easier, though.

We resumed walking, munching on our barbeques. I enjoyed the savory otherwise unhealthy flavor of it and Eren seemed to think the same.

"Look at you two," Hellenia said. She took out a handkerchief and wiped off our lips. "Go easy on that. You might choke."

We didn't listen. We continued gnawing until there was nothing left. I was a little unfortunate on that part, though. The last piece I wanted to bite off fell on the ground.

I was disappointed. What bad luck. First that cookie...and now this? Wasn't I being too clumsy?

We carried our sticks until the next garbage bin came up on the path.

As we stopped and threw the sticks away, a scent drifted to my nose, causing me to halt as I tried to pinpoint where it was coming from.

My sudden pause bade Eren to look at me curiously as I turned around, looking for the specific place. "Do you smell that?" I asked.

"Which one?" she asked, wiping her lip.

"It smells like—" I sniffed "—I don't know. Roses?" I continued looking around, peeking at the many stores from under my hood. When I saw where it was coming from, I dragged Eren to the shop with the label 'Scents and Papers.'

"Evyionne! Eren!" my mother exclaimed. "Dear goodness, you two. Wait a moment!"

A bell resounded as we pushed through the green glass door. The moment we entered, the scent assaulted my nose—a little too strongly that I had to shy back. "Ooh...strong," I said, breathing through my fingers. I shoved myself further into the room, taking in the antiquated chandelier lighting and the racks of essential oils pushed to the corner. On the other half of the room were books in towering shelves. They tapered to the ceiling so high, it almost seemed as though they were going to fall over.