Page 55 of Apprentice to the Villain

He climbed onto the bridge, joining Sage in the middle. His assistant was jumping like a rabbit who’d just learned to hop.

Do not cause any harm?

Impossible.

And he proved it as soon as he stepped foot into the HeartVillage.

Chapter 31

Evie

Evie wanted to smell flowers every day.

She felt elated, like nothing could touch her, like all was right with the world. Stepping off the bridge, she couldn’t stop smiling, awestruck by the splendor of the Heart Village. The stories she’d heard were nothing compared to seeing it with her own eyes.

Little shops lined the cobblestone streets, bustling with children and content-looking adults. An upbeat song played by a group of performers gave her a merry tune to step to as she entered the fray. The entire village was surrounded by channels of glistening blue water, some taking the place of streets with small boats to travel between points. It was like nothing she’d ever seen.

She’d worn flat shoes, the arches of her feet needing the rest from the lift of her heels. It made her quicker, which was excellent news for her and exhausting news for the boss. He appeared at her side in a flash, gently gripping her arm. “Sage, do not wander off in the state you’re in.”

“We’re standing right here with her,” Clare argued. Kingsley hopped from her shoulder onto a floating lily pad in the canal, stretching out his small limbs. “Alexander, do not wander,” Clare scolded.

Alexander?Did she mishear? “Who is Alexander?”

Clare and Tatianna looked at each other, both biting their lips. Surely she was missing something… But the boss was whistling and turning in the other direction.

“We’ll split up. You two see what you can find out about the barrier and an enchantress consult. Sage and I will inquire as to Nura Sage’s whereabouts.”

Tatianna grinned. “Or Clare could go with you and I can stay with Evie?”

Evie was making herself dizzy, her eyes darting between the two. The boss’s face twisted in anger, and she tried to mimic it.

“You think I can leave her alone when she’s like this? I destroyed a bridge last time I was here. She’d likely topple the wholevillage.”

“Hey!” Evie stomped her foot. But she quickly forgot the insult when the smell of warm butter and fresh pastry danced across her nose—right before she spied a vendor selling large, flaky rolls in various shapes. “Oh, bread! I love bread.” She ran for it.

But not before Clare muttered, “Oh yes, a danger to us all.”

“Sage! Evie! Hold on!” the boss yelled after her to no avail. She could just barely hear his next words to the others: “We’ll meet here in an hour. You two learn what you can in that time, and for the love of the gods, please keep an eye on Kingsley.”

Evie had already gotten to the cart when Kingsley held up a sign that said:Relax.

She giggled when the boss arrived next to her. The vendor was an elderly gentleman with wrinkled skin and graying hair that tipped silver in the sunlight. He grinned when she asked her boss sweetly, “Sir, will you buy me bread?”

His gaze had weight to it—different, somehow, than before he’d been captured. It was intense, breathtaking; it sent chills up her spine and goose bumps along her arms.

And her whole body felt like it was on fire when he said in a soft, low voice, “If you wish.”

Before Evie could blink again, a warm roll of sweet bread was placed in her hands, this one in the shape of a cloud.

There was mirth in The Villain’s gaze now. “I thought it fitting, in honor of our cave friend.”

She laughed loudly, uninhibited. This in and of itself was not uncommon for her. She was often amused, trying to find delight in life where she could. It was her drive, what kept her up when she felt the urge to remain low. But that delight was frequently found while wearing her mask of humor and lightness. In this moment, it was lovely to be happy without effort. She kept laughing until a snort came out of her nose—a loud one. She hiccupped. “I’m a mess.”

But the gentle humor had slipped from The Villain’s expression now. “You’re going to have to sleep this off at some point,” he said, guiding her onward after paying the vendor for the sweet bread. A legal purchase by The Villain, just for her. She almost swooned. “We’ll get you a tonic for the splitting headache you’ll undoubtedly wake up with.”

“I…I’ve been having trouble sleeping.” She sighed, holding out her arms and spinning, letting her skirt float in a circle. She enjoyed the freedom of wearing trousers, but she didn’t think she would ever shake the giddy feeling of twirling in a pretty dress. She could have both now, the freedom of choice.

“We’ll get you a tonic for that, too,” her boss assured her in a hard voice.