Welcome to Stories from Among the Stars.

You're listening to Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorn,

narrated by Jessica Threat.

Chapter 19. Raina

Kianth took a while to return, which would have been alarming if

Rana weren't so busy preparing her new treat. It was a queendom favorite, sweet enough

to be enticing, but the walnuts tempered the

sugar. She'd spent the better part of her twelfth year perfecting the royal chef's recipe,

and now it filled the bookstore with a homie scent. She set a few aside for Keanth before selling

the rest, which turned out to be a smart move,

since the pastries were immensely popular even with Sheparans.

Soon she had multiple reorders of tea to accompany the treat, and spent her time flitting around the shop,

refilling hot water as people perused novels along the shelves or basked in the fireplaces glow.

Keanth reappeared later that afternoon, rubbing her brow.

Remind me never to get into government, she told Raina.

The mage collected her favorite mug, glazed deep purple with flecks of white, like the stars overhead,

and abandoned Raina and their customers to soak with their tea on the back patio.

Raina stifled a laugh, finished up their final patron's orders. Then she turned to Gossley.

Can you handle the shop alone? The boy scoffed, pulling his shoulders back.

He'd spent his morning opening the smithy with Tarley,

and his confidence was growing into something smugly superior.

His tone was extravagant.

...