Sasha was irritated.

“Esmeralda, give me another one.”

Esmeralda put down a pint and a scrambled egg.

“You know, since I lost Aiden I could need some extra help. I happen to notice you seem to need some work.”

“What do you have? It better be fast work.”

“It is fast and well paid. I have some tuff ones as well.” Esmeralda cleaned the bar, bending closer lowering her voice. “I’ve been asked to report when you show up.”

“Who?”

“People I can’t refuse and well paid indeed. The question is if you want to run away before I send the message or if you stay?”

“Elias?”

“Yeah, and his mother. I would rather run than meet the queen. I´m just giving you a heads up since you are you.”

“Is the courier already on the way?”

“No, she is waiting at the backdoor. So, how do you want it?”

“I will eat my egg. Then you can tell Elias to meet me where I painted his body in purple.”

“And the queen?”

“Say what you have to say. I understand. And Esmeralda, please give Elias the instructions on what orders you need. I am restless.”

“No one wants a restless Sasha”, Esmeralda chuckled. “Last time it happens the priest had to work overtime.”

“I gave them fair warning.”

“Yeah, and they had gotten in Isaak’s hair for too long.”

Sasha could go back to her mother and Ivy, but she dreaded it. Waiting in the cottage would have been even worse. That’s the reason she was sitting in the café, eating a cinnamon bun and listening to Evelina. Waiting for Elias to find her.

“So, what do you think? Am I too old?”

“You are a perfect age”, Sasha confirmed. “And I might have someone that could help you out, finding a place to stay. Showing you around.”

“What if they won’t have me?”

“Evelina, you are a clever witch, and you have the maturity the younger are missing. I promise you the only problem you will have is to choose your specialty.”

She could not ask Greg for more favors, but she would anyhow, and he would agree. Evelina had years to catch up and she would have the perfect introduction if Greg mentored her. He was a genie, and Sasha knew first-hand the gain of his supervision.

“Have you never regretted not going to school?” Evelina asked, looking at her cup of tea as if it could answer her questions.

Sasha heard the sound of the door opening. She forced a smile upon seeing the familiar face. She hoped Elias would not make a scene at the bakery for leaving him behind with her mother, Ivy, and Isaak.

“I do have a better teacher than they could give me”, she said to Evelina, nodding towards the door.

Evelina turned around, glancing towards the door and whispering.

“The prince?”

“Yes”, Sasha said. “He made me volunteer to be his pupil, quite adamant about the subject.”

Silently Sasha was happy Evelina was there, her adoration would force Elias to behave.

“Sasha”, Elias said and pulled out a chair. He looked from her to Evelina. His eyes were unreadable but his smile never faltered, the voice rich as chocolate. “And you are?”

“Evelina. My oldest friend”, Sasha said. “If you don’t treat her well I will kill you.”

“Sasha!” Evelina gasped, her hand trying to cover her chock. “He is the prince”, she hissed.

“And here I was afraid you had gotten yourself into trouble”, Elias mocked. “Glad to see you are alive and kicking.”

“Well, enough small talk. Did you get the list?” Sasha asked.

“Yes”, Elias said, picking a paper up from his pocket and reluctantly handing it over to Sasha. “I have some considerations though.”

Sasha eyed the list. This was not a problem. It was just five ingredients, of which three would be as easy as to get grocery shopping. The last two were a bit of a stretch though. Those would be quite rare. Putting all of the ingredients together Sasha would guess Esmeralda saw a business in love potions.

“This will be fun”, Sasha said waving with the piece of paper.

“I have a stipulation if I am going to help you”, Elias said and snapped the list back. He took a bite from her cinnamon bun, the approving sound getting Evelina to go up fetching another one.

“Who said anything about needing help?”

She didn’t want to do this with him. She really would prefer being alone, she bet he wanted an explanation she wasn’t ready to give.

“I can give you some slack from the queen’s men if you agree to work with me.” He rocked the chair. “Mother would send her torpedoes if you go solo.”

“Are you trying to bribe me?”

He tried to corner her and the smile on Elias's face was the one of someone knowing he had sealed the deal.

“It would be very beneficial working with me, Sasha. I would make it worth the deal.”

He leaned in closer, the yellow in his eyes both promising and threatening.

“I got you a cinnamon and some tea, my Prince”, Evelina interrupted.

“Thank you”, Elias said, smiling warmly at Evelina. “They taste like heaven.”

“I can see the benefit of getting rid of the queen's men”, Sasha reluctantly said sipping her tea as she studied Elias and Evelina. “What’s the catch?”

“Well, maybe that is something better discussed with no ladies in the room”, Elias said. “You owe me.”

Sasha rolled her eyes. Elias just smiled towards Evelina.

“Very well”, Sasha said and rose. She hugged her friend. “I will be back in a week Evelina. I want you to meet someone that can help you decide on which education to pursue.”