Chapter 323

The inside of the cake shop was warm and cosy. There were comfortable looking velvet armchairs placed all over the place and an array of low tables at which sat more than a dozen fae of all descriptions. Standing by the small fireplace, Elain sipped at her tea while watching Tisia, Noor and Kera approach some of the fae. Elain couldn't help her eyes following Kera to a table at which sat a short male with skin the colour of autumn leaves.

Taking another sip of the delicious tea, Elain watched the blonde lean toward the male, saying something quietly to him and, to Elain's immense surprise, once she had leaned back the male seemed to relax. He sat back in his own chair and gave a smile to Kera before appearing to launch into whatever he had come to tell her. Elain raised an eyebrow, acknowledging the fact that while Kera may have been awful to Sheera, Ashk and herself, she was apparently well liked by at least some of the Day Court.

"Are you with the Court?"

Elain glanced down to see a female youngling looking up at her. Bright blue eyes blinked innocently, and Elain looked her over quickly. She wore the typical light coloured tunic, and she looked like she was growing more and more uncertain as the seconds passed and Elain did nothing but look at her. "I… am."

"Good…" The youngling female nodded, but seemed to reconsider whatever she was there for and Elain saw her glance toward the door.

"Did you have something you needed help with?"

"I…" Blue eyes glanced at the door once more and then at Elain again.

"You can tell me…"

"Okay…" She twisted her hands together and Elain could see her working up the courage to speak again. "I'm… my… my parents won't be able to meet the Tithe for the High Lord next month." She said, and those blue eyes grew glassy. "I… I wanted to ask the High Lord if there was any work he would have me do to help make up for it… I don't want them taken away or punished."

Elain blinked, not knowing what to say to that. She had no idea what the required tithe would be, but she didn't think that Helion would remove anyone from their home for not meeting it. She bit her lip then, because she had no reason to think that he wouldn't. She had no clue what kinds of punishment the High Lord of the Day Court dished out to those who deserved it, but then did someone who couldn't afford the tithe deserve punishment? Maybe there was already a program or process in place for this. She didn't know. "Why do you thin they would be taken away?"

"Because everyone has to pay the tithe…"

"Oh." Elain thought for a moment, "Okay, I will ask the High Lord if there is any work you might do. Would that help?"

"Yes."

"Are you…" Elain began to think about Sheera and the work that Helion had given her in the palace gardens, "Are you good in gardens?"

"I helped my mother with our garden. I know which are weeds and which to pull…"

"Alright." Elain smiled, "Maybe there will be that kind of work you might do. Would that be okay?"

"Yes…" Those bright blue eyes brew a little brighter. "Thank you."

"What is your name?" Elain asked, figuring that she would need to know that when she asked Helion if the youngling might assist Sheera around the palace.

"Ciana."

"Alright, Ciana." Elain pulled her small book from her pocket and made a note in it. "I'm writing that down so that I don't forget to tell the High Lord this afternoon."

"Thank you!" Ciana dipped into an obvious attempt at a bow and then turned and had fled out the door of the café within seconds.

"That was well done." Amala said, coming to stand beside Elain a moment later. Elain glanced at the other female and gave her a smile.

"Is it always like that? Was that typical of the kinds of things they bring to you?"

"More or less." Amala replied, "Although it's not often a youngling looking for extra work to make ends meet."

Elain watched the café door swing close and thought about that. It was nice, she supposed, that the fae here were comfortable enough to approach members of the Court if they were not comfortable enough or didn't have the time to go to Helion directly in his throne room. "It's nice." She said, "That they can come to you."

"Yes." Amala smiled, "It makes us feel useful."