Page 94 of Not Another Happily Ever After

“You needn’t hurry,” I chime in before Myrrdin can send her away.

He shoots me a puzzled look, but I don’t miss the way his shoulders ease down from around his ears.

“As it stands, I have some baking questions that need tending to,” I say, slowly backing away. “If you could just?—”

Oof!

Rose pulls me into a tight hug, and I let out a surprised breath. She’s far stronger than she looks.

“Thank you,” she whispers, low enough that only I can hear.

I relax into her embrace. “Of course.”

Over her shoulder, Myrrdin tips his head in thanks, his smile already returning.

I ease out of Rose’s embrace, surprised by how reluctant I am to let her go.

“Before you step away, there’s something I need you to remember,” Myrrdin’s tone turns hard. “No dances. No dallying.No deals.” He warns.

Rose pries the book he’s written about bugs from his hands, fracturing his attention.

“I’ll be standing guard at the door,” he starts, his eyes already drifting. “But should you need me?—”

“I’ll be alright,” I smirk, biting back a laugh. “I need only be pointed in the right direction.”

“Oh. About that…” Rose turns on her heel, snapping the book closed. “You’ll have to ask the Inklings.”

I blink.

“I’m sorry…what?”

“They’re codex creatures,” Myrrdin answers, as though I’m supposed to know what that means.

I simply smile, waiting long enough for Rose to realize I don’t.

“They’re born of book dust,” she says. “There are two of them at any given time. One tells the truth. The other, only lies.”

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

Creatures made of dust…that can speak.

“Fascinating,” I breathe.

I turn to leave, when another thought occurs. “How will I know which one is which?”

Rose offers an apologetic smile.

“I won’t,” I surmise.

She fiddles with the dark blue bow in her hair, looking woefully sorry. “They’re sort ofidentical.”

A laugh bubbles up from the depths of my belly, startling the few patrons seated nearby.

“Of course they are.” I sigh. Still, I’m eager to meet them. “I suspect they’re impossibly hard to find, right?”

Rose’s face brightens.

“Oh no! That’s the easy part.” She waves. “They find you.”