“What are we doing waiting around here for?” Hudian spoke up as he nodded at the crowd. The people followed the cart, lured by the prospect of a fresh pint of beer that had not been drunk in tens of thousands of years. “Let’s get a mug before it’s all gone!”

  “You go on ahead, we’ll catch up,” I assured him, earning me a curious look from Arian.

  Hudian puffed out his chest. “I’ll save you a mug or two if I can!” And with that promise, he scurried off to enjoy the drink.

  Arian tactfully waited for our friend to be out of earshot before she spoke up. “Is something wrong?”

  I followed the crowd with my eyes as my heart thumped loud and hard in my chest. “I’m not sure. Did you notice if that wolf king was staring at me more than anyone else?”

  She cupped her chin in her hand and furrowed her brow. “Now that you mention his eyes, he did appear to stare at you slightly longer than anyone else.”

  “And you remember he was staring at the lodge where we were hiding the last time he came here?” I reminded her.

  A little color drained from Arian’s face. “Yes, he did do that, but what do his stares mean?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know and I hope I don’t find out. Either way, stay close to me, okay?”

  She wrapped both her arms around one of mine and gave an affirmative nod. “I will.”

  We set out at the tail end of the eager crowd. The wolves wheeled their cart through the streets of the city and into the marketplace where Lord Tongle waited for them with a big smile and open arms. “Welcome!” he called out as he sauntered over to the group. “I have just the place for those wonderful barrels of yours!”

  He directed them to the only empty spot in the whole square. It was a rectangular block some hundred feet long and wide and situated as close to the center as the cooking stations would allow. The wolf parked the cart and one of his compatriots unharnessed him.

  Several children scooted out from between the legs of the adults and gawked at the massive wolf. The shifter noticed their wide eyes and gave them a toothy grin. Some of the children gasped and scuttled back while a few of the boys clapped and shouted in appreciation.

  The five other wolf underlings unloaded the barrels as Waerg stepped up to the center of the clearing. He raised his hands to quiet the crowd. “My friends, I am glad to see so many of you eager to partake of our drink. We haven’t brought any mugs so you’ll have to use your own, but we hope that everything else will be to your satisfaction.”

  Lord Tongle sauntered up to the wolf king’s side and bobbed his head. “I’m sure it will! Now everybody form a line! Anyone found to be taking cuts or causing a ruckus will be moved to the back of the line, and judging by all the people here, that means you probably won’t get any, so behave and we’ll all get a pint for ourselves.”

  The bears eagerly obeyed and just as eagerly avoided elbowing one another. The only problem came when Tongle strolled down the line to inspect everyone. He stopped at a particularly short citizen and plucked the person from the crowd. They turned out to be a boy of ten with a sheepish expression on his face.

  “You look a might short to be taking a pint, lad,” Tongle commented.

  The boy shrugged. “I’m just made that way, Tongle, sir.” The reply earned a laugh from the crowd.

  Tongle set him down outside of the line and the lad’s spot was quickly filled. “Go on now to your mom and leave the drink to those old enough to enjoy it.” The lad’s shoved his hands into his pockets and shuffled off.

  I noticed Hudian had snagged a spot at the front and he beckoned to us. We moved over to him but didn’t step into line. The young man lowered his voice to a whisper. “How many pints were you wanting?”

  “No cuts!” someone shouted behind him.

  Hudian whipped his head around and glared at the man. “They’re not cutting! We’re just having a chat!”

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  “I think we’ll let everyone else get a chance at the barrels,” I told him.

  His face drooped. “But you might not get another chance at trying it.”

  “Then enjoy it thrice for the three of us,” I insisted as I drew Arian away from the line, at least to subdue the dark expressions of the people behind Hudian.

  “What would you like to do if you do not wish to drink?” Arian wondered.

  I looked around the marketplace and my gaze settled on the cooking pots. “I didn’t get to finish my meal. How about we pick one up?”

  Arian’s eyes lit up. “That is a wonderful idea! What would you like to eat?”

  I patted my empty pockets and sheepishly smiled at her. “Something cheap. I don’t have a coin on me.”

  My friend drew out a small bag, the contents of which clinked. “My father gave this to me this morning after you helped me elude Prince Yushir. He said I was to use it to make you feel at home during the festival.”

  I looped an arm around hers and swept my hand out in front of us. “Then lead the way and I shall follow with an empty stomach!”

  Arian laughed and led me through the curious non-drinking crowd that had gathered to view the opening of the barrels. The wolves set the barrels atop hefty tables and opened the taps. The air filled with the scent of barley and wheat fermentation, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of the pubs back home. It made me a little nostalgic and, I must admit, a little glum.

  “Is something the matter?” Arian wondered as she slowed her pace to take a good look at me. “Are you feeling well?”

  I managed an insincere smile. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking of my life before I dropped into-Dadan!”

  The name came out unbidden. The godly man himself seemed to materialize out of the crowds ahead of us. His fiery hair glistened in the midday sun and his sharp eyes stared directly at me. I felt myself caught in those intense gaze, unable to do anything but gawk at the handsome man.

  What the hell was wrong with me? This wasn’t the first time I’d seen Dadan. Why was I suddenly acting like a lovestruck schoolgirl?

  Because out of all these people, he’s staring only at you.

  The voice had a point. Another voice also had a point and was trying to get that point across to me.

  “Fei? Fei! Anna!” It was Arian trying to catch my attention and her last word came out in a hissed whisper. “You are staring!”

  I shook myself out of my stupor and snapped my trap shut. I was on the road to recovery when I realized Dadan was headed our way. My knees shook so much I heard the water splash and I clung to Arian like a drowning woman.

  The crowds parted for the imperial majesty of the former emperor and he soon stood before me. A faint smile graced his lips and his eyes never left mine. “You are feeling better?”

  My hand went to the bottle in my pocket as I bobbed my head. “Y-yeah, thank you.”

  Arian grasped my arms and stepped a little ahead of me. “Are you enjoying the festival, Lord Eastwei?”

  He didn’t take his eyes off me. “It is quite interesting.”

  “Have you ever been here-”

  “Lady Arian!” The shout came from our old friend Prince Yushir. His princely highness had a much harder time swimming through the sea of people, but he eventually stumbled into our little open space. He was out of breath and slightly disheveled, but he stood up straight and smiled at us. “I am very pleased to see you. How have you been?”

  Arian’s smile took on a shaky turn and she hid it by bowing her head. “Very well, thank you, Prince Yushir.”

  Dadan lifted his scarlet eyes to my hair. “You have not decorated your hair.”

  I reached up and brushed my hand over my locks. “Yeah. I haven’t found where they’re selling them.”

  “Then allow me.”

  Dadan reached into his sleeve and drew out a small bouquet of beautiful white flowers. I could hardly believe it when he tucked the bouquet behind my ear. Their soft petals brushed again my skin and tickled enough to make me smile.

  I reached up and brushed my fingers over the gentle leaves. “They’re beautiful.”

  Dadan’s faint smile brightened. “I am glad you like them.”

  “I-I have some for you as well, Lady Arian,” Yushir stuttered as he reached into his sleeve. He drew out a bouquet that was a little limp from being ill-placed in his clothes. The prince’s face drooped at the sight of his weary wooing flowers, but he offered a sheepish smile to my friend. “They are a little weary, but I am sure any flower will be wonderful in your hair. If you would.”

  Arian reluctantly bowed her head and Yushir attempted to place the flowers behind her ear. He failed thrice before Arian gently grasped his hand and took the flowers with her other. She tucked the flowers herself and smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  Yushir studied the flowers and gave a nod. “You are very welcome, Lady Arian, and might I say that they look lovely on you.”

  And that’s when the fight broke out.