Chapter 577

They had met Sheera on the way through the town. Elain had been taking the others to the little market she had found not long ago, wanting them to get a taste of another aspect of the Day Court that she had found she enjoyed, and Sheera had also been making her way in that direction.

"I had not expected to see you today." Sheera said, leaning against the small cart she had been pushing. Elain eyed the wooden cart, laden high with flowers and arrangements.

"Are you on your way to the market?" She asked, smiling as Sheera nodded.

"I often go down there." Her friend replied, "Often enough someone who has never been to the store comes past and discovers they have a burning need for fresh flowers in their lives."

"Do you make much of a profit at the markets?" This was Viviane, a thoughtful expression on her face. Sheera seemed to blush a little, but she met Viviane's eyes as she nodded.

"Yes, Lady." Sheera said softly, "Enough to make the effort."

"Lovely." Viviane replied, and Sheera blushed even more. Elain figured that, even though her friend had become somewhat used to dealing with the faeries of the Day Court, Sheera was still not yet entirely comfortable interacting with someone like Viviane. She supposed that would change soon enough if her friend continued whatever she had been doing with Tamlin. "You have some kind of arrangement with the Spring Court, correct?" Viviane asked then, and Sheera's blush was unmistakable then, despite her dark complexion. "The Spring Court will be receiving some of your flowers?"

"Yes…" Sheera gripped the handle of her cart a little tighter. "Yes, that is correct."

"What are you wondering?" Elain asked Viviane, certain that the blonde had some idea or other in mind.

"Perhaps," Viviane answered slowly, her eyes flicking to meet Elain's and then returning to Sheera, "with the new Trade Routes opening soon, your flowers might find their way across the borders into the Winter Court?"

"Oh…" Sheera nodded, tilting her head as she thought about that. "I like the thought but, forgive me… is the Winter Court not rather cold?" She glanced Elain's way for a moment, as if apologising for voicing some disagreement, "I do not know how well the blooms would last in that climate."

"Yes," Viviane nodded, "Although we do have some magic that would allow both the vendor and the stock to remain warm at our Palace Markets." Elain recalled her time in those markets. She had enjoyed the atmosphere and had hoped to return to have a further look at some point.

"Well," Sheera agreed, "If you think that would allow them to survive, I do not see why they should not be available in the Winter Court."

"You are going to need to hire help." Elain said, smiling at Sheera, "Demand for your business keeps going up."

"The thought has crossed my mind." Sheera replied, "Especially with how much time I am spending in the Palace Gardens."

"I am sure you would not be short of offers." Elain said and Sheera nodded her agreement, taking hold of her cart once more. Elain moved to take the other handle of the cart, helping her friend to push as they continued to make their way up the street.

By the time they arrived at the park, some of the stalls were already set up and operational and the crowd was beginning to thicken. Sheera guided them across the park to a nice shady spot beneath a large tree. "This is where I usually set up."

"Protected from the sun…" Nesta commented, and Sheera nodded.

"How can we help set up?" Elain asked, and Sheera blinked at her for a second.

"Well… if you wouldn't mind putting together a bouquet or two, that would be nice to add to the selection for the day…"

"Of course." Elain took two empty vases and moved to the side to begin doing what she had been asked while Nesta and Viviane helped Sheera set up the rest of her stock. It didn't take long at all and, before long, the lot of them took several steps away from the stall to look at the whole display. "It looks lovely." Elain said, and the others agreed.

"Thank you." Sheera said, "That usually takes me much longer alone."

"We shall come back." Elain told her, "Once we've had a look around the market. Then, you really should come to the palace for dinner…"

"Alright."

As they headed off to look at a nearby stall selling some of the light flowing dresses that were often seen around the Day Court, Viviane stepped closer to Elain. "Do you think she really would like to sell in the Winter Court?"

"Yes." Elain assured her, "She wants to see the Courts, and she has told me how much she would like to see the Eisblume."

"Wonderful." Viviane smiled.

"Do you think Kalias would be open to her having a spot in your Palace Markets?"

"I know he would." Viviane grinned. "Especially when I tell him how much it would please me."