Chapter 135: Sugar and Shadows

Orion had lost count of the amount of stalls they explored. As long as it looked interesting to Sophia, she made sure to visit it and drag him along too.

He searched for every opportunity to escape but it seemed like she was able to detect his movements. How she was so perceptive when it came to him, he would never know. But she was.

Sophia’s hand shot out, catching Orion’s sleeve before he could retreat toward the quieter edges.

"Oh no, you don’t," she said, a grin tugging at her lips. "You’re not escaping yet."

He sighed, but the hint of amusement betrayed him. "I was just going to take a quick rest."

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I’m being honest." He told her with his hands raised.

"Quick rest or not, you are not going anywhere yet. There are still stalls to explore." She told him, tugging him toward a brightly lit stall. "Come on! You have to try this one." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The stall shimmered with color, glass jars stacked high with candied fruit slices that glistened like jewels. Thin ribbons of spun sugar coiled around sticks, each piece crowned with edible flowers dusted in frost. The vendor, a plump older woman with rosy cheeks, waved cheerfully.

"Sweet vines! Grown on moonlit soil," she declared proudly. "Try one! First bite’s on the house for the Alpha and his beautiful partner."

Sophia turned pink. "We’re not..."

But Orion only nodded politely. "Thank you," he said, and took the smallest one.

Sophia watched as he took a cautious bite, the sugar cracking between his teeth. His brows rose slightly. "That’s... sweet. Extremely so."

"Sweet is the point," Sophia said, taking her own piece. Her eyes widened the second the taste hit her tongue. "Oh my goddess. That’s incredible."

Orion smirked faintly. "You said that about the grilled moonfin."

"This is different," she insisted. "This one tastes like...like if starlight had a flavor."

"That’s very...lamely poetic." Orion told her.

"But it’s accurate." She argued.

"Have you ever tasted starlight?"

"Well...no..."

"There you have it. It’s inaccurate."

Sophia rolled her eyes at him. "Come on. Don’t ruin my good mood."

They moved from stall to stall, the festival wrapping around them like a living thing. There was roasted skyleaf, thin, crisp sheets brushed with oil and sea salt that melted on the tongue; steaming bowls of amber broth infused with root and spice; grilled fruit skewers brushed with honey; and a strange purple pastry filled with something that looked suspiciously like glowing cream.

Sophia took a bite of that one and nearly gagged. "Nope," she said, handing it to Orion. "Absolutely not."

He eyed it, curious. "It can’t be that bad."

"Try it then."

He did and immediately coughed.

Sophia burst into laughter so bright a few heads turned their way. "See? Told you!"

He handed the pastry back like it was an explosive. "What was that?"

"The vendor said it’s fermented nightberry cream," she managed between giggles. "Apparently it’s... an acquired taste. You don’t know about it?"

"I know fermented night berry cream but whatever I just ate doesn’t taste like it." He told her.

She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "You’re impossible."

"Impossible?" he echoed. "You dragged me through sixteen stalls."

"Seventeen now," she corrected. "And counting."

"Sophia...I’ve done my end of the deal. We can call it a night now. Do we have to go through all the stalls set up?" Orion whined.

If not for the fact that he was enjoying her company a little too much, he would have looked for every excuse to leave already.

"Just a few more, okay? I’ve never been to a festival so I want to explore until my legs give out." She told him.

Perhaps it was what she said. How little evidence if what she may have forgotten about her self slipped out without her knowing or maybe it was just that Orion liked seeing the smile on her face and it made him forget his own sadness and thoughts consuming him, but whatever it was, it made Orion smile as he continued exploring with Sophia.

Everywhere they went, people greeted them warmly. Some bowed slightly to Orion, others offered small tokens, a carved charm for good luck, a flower crown woven with glowing petals, a ribbon of silk tied around Sophia’s wrist. Music followed them through every turn, twining in the air, the night alive with laughter and dancing feet.

By the time they reached the central lane, Sophia had both hands full, one clutching a stick of sugar-dusted pastries, the other a small clay cup filled with something pink and bubbling.

She took a sip, then made a face. "That’s stronger than I expected."

Orion raised a brow. "What is it?"

"I don’t know," she admitted, passing it to him. "Try it."

He sniffed it first, cautious, then took a sip. His expression didn’t change, but his eyes glinted slightly.

"That’s wine," he said dryly.

"Oh." Sophia blinked. "That explains the kick."

"Sweet gods," he murmured, setting the cup aside before she could finish it. "You’re going to get yourself drunk if you keep on drinking everything they give us."

"But I have to taste it to show how appreciative I am of everything they give us." She argued.

He shook his head. "If you fall asleep in a pastry stall, I’m not carrying you home."

"You would," she teased.

He paused, then exhaled softly. "Unfortunately, yes."

That made her laugh again, the kind of laugh that wasn’t loud but somehow drew warmth from everyone nearby. It made even the old vendor behind them smile quietly, watching the way the young woman beamed under the festival lights and how Orion softened when she did.

From across the square, hidden between a row of stalls, another pair of eyes watched.

Holly stood stiff as stone, her hands gripping the wrapped bundle she had been carrying since the festival began. Inside the folded cloth were gifts, two wineskins filled with sweet berry wine, a small box of sugared nuts, and a carefully embroidered cloth she had made herself. Every year, she brought them for Orion.

Orion never took from her, he always sent her back but she had been taught that persistence was key when it came to someone like Orion. At some point he would give in.