Caught in Crystal: A Lyra Novel by Patricia Collins Wrede Read Free Book Online Page A

can handle things for a little while.”
    “You work too hard.”
    “Who doesn’t? What did you want to talk to me about?”
    Jirod looked down. “I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
    “All right?” Kayl said, puzzled.
    “Your new guest looks as if she could be a problem.”
    Kayl stared at him as comprehension dawned. “Has Dara been talking to you?” she demanded.
    “I don’t need a twelve-year-old to point out what’s under my eyes!”
    “That’s not what I meant. Oh, never mind. I’m fine, Jirod, and Corrana’s no more a problem than any other noble with more money than sense. In fact, she’s easier to deal with than most of them; she’s quiet and doesn’t expect flame-jugglers and musicians in a town this size.”
    “She’s a witch, Kayl.”
    “Maybe. But what if she is? She pays good coppers for her board, the same as any other customer.”
    Jirod looked at her with a somber expression. “Kayl, you’ve been jumpy all evening. And I saw your face when Mark served her. You were frightened for him. You can’t make me believe that you’d react that way without a reason.”
    “I’m fine, Jirod,” Kayl repeated, her lips tightening. “Just fine.”
    “All right, then. You know where to find me if that changes.”
    Kayl nodded as politely as she could, and rose. There was no point in continuing the conversation. She’d only end up snapping at him for trying to be helpful. “Thank you, Jirod,” she said with as much warmth as she could muster. “But it’s time I was getting back to work.”
    As she left the table, she saw Dara glance worriedly in her direction. There were customers at three different tables calling for beer, so it was some time before she had a chance to speak to her daughter. Finally they were both behind the counter at the same time.
    “I didn’t say anything to him, Mother,” Dara said in an urgent whisper. “Honest I didn’t.”
    “I know that,” Kayl said.
    “Oh.” The word held a wealth of relief. “When you got up frowning like that, I was afraid you thought I had.”
    “I wasn’t annoyed with you, Dara.”
    “Jirod said something wrong?”
    “That’s between him and me. The last table on the right wants more stew; see if there’s any left.”
    Dara rolled her eyes and left. The evening dragged on interminably. Slowly, the villagers trickled out. Jirod stayed. Kayl avoided his corner, letting Dara and Mark handle the customers on that side of the room, but she was aware of his eyes on her as she worked.
    His presence annoyed her; the man acted as though she was a helpless featherhead who needed taking care of. She knew she was being unfair, but it was a relief to be angry at someone. When he left at last, she was washing mugs in a bucket behind the counter. She did not look up from her work until the door had closed behind him.
    Finally the last of the villagers departed and the few guests climbed the stairs to their rooms. “Whew!” Mark said, surveying the inevitable litter of dirty plates, crumbs, spilled beer, and half-empty mugs. “What a night!”
    Dara flopped down on one of the benches. “Oh, my feet hurt!”
    “I’m not surprised,” Kayl said. “There were more people in here than we had the night the Prefect’s son came through.” She fished the last of the coins she’d collected out of the leather pouch sewn inside her belt and added them to the main collection in the heavy wooden box where she kept the night’s receipts. She relocked the box and set it on the counter where she wouldn’t forget to take it with her when she left the serving room.
    “How did we do?” Dara said anxiously.
    “I haven’t counted up the total yet, but I think we did very well indeed,” Kayl replied.
    “I bet it’ll be just as bad tomorrow,” Mark said gloomily.
    “You don’t have anything to complain about,” Dara retorted. “You sat in the kitchen most of the night while I was running around the tables.”
    “It’s hot in