Clementine's Parlor of the Extraordinary and Curious

Clementine's Parlor of the Extraordinary and Curious Monroe Wildrose Teapots and Stolen Souls Publishing Copyright Copyright © 2023 by Teapots and Stolen Souls Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Interior Illustration by @nagmerriecircus © Teapots and Stolen Souls Publishing Cover Illustration created in CANVA Canva images/edited/ Canva license held by Wednesday Andrews First Edition First Edition: April 17, 2023 This paperback edition was first published in April 2023 Teapots and Stolen Souls Publishing contact information: [email protected] Contents Foreword Dedication 1. One 2. One 3. Two 4. Three 5. Four 6. Five 7. Six 8. Seven 9. Eight 10. Nine 11. Ten 12. Eleven 13. Twelve 14. Thirteen 15. Epilogue 16. Bonus Scene Missing Fairvein? Clementine's Parlor Playlist Notes and Acknowledgments Raspberry Punch Recipe About the Author Foreword My main character Clementine is a woman of color, she is written, and depicted in art, as black. Since I am a white writer, I knew I was going to have to do some self-reflection, research, and other important steps before publishing this novella. This story has been combed through by a paid sensitivity reader for anything that may perpetuate any harmful stereotypes. However, if you read this and find something that doesn’t sit right with you, or something that was missed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email: monroe.a.wildrose @outlook.com Dedication Dedicated to those looking for a cozy place to rest their reader hearts for a spell One I stared at the teapot for a solid hour. At least, that’s what it felt like. Instead, I was stuck with one gigantic mess, and for the first time in my life, as my eyes glanced through the glass door to see Cyris talking to Mrs. Elwood just outside of the bakery, I was also stuck with a heavy dose of hatred in my heart. The morning had been slow, with hardly any customers, and I stood behind the counter in Isla’s Teas and Treats, desperately trying to decode Clementine’s strange gift. I’m sure it was a sight, my long brown hair piled atop my head, stray strands floating in all directions, my brows furrowed. It was, I’m certain, one of the most frustrating puzzles I had ever taken on. Clementine was acquainted with objects and oddities, magical items that could do a number of wonders. Her shop up the way, Clementine’s Parlor of the Extraordinary and Curious, kind of a long name if you ask me, was filled to the brim with strange trinkets. This teapot had to do something. It had to be special. My eyes flicked up as the bell rang against the door, and I instantly straightened. The tourist season hadn’t yet started in Fairvein, so I was certain that anyone coming into the shop was someone I knew. The island wasn’t that big, and gossip traveled quickly. Any newcomers outside of the summer season would be talked about in great detail upon their arrival. There were no secrets here. “Mrs. Elwood!” I walked around the counter, dodging the dried herbs hanging from the ceiling to greet her. Mrs. Elwood smiled, the lines around her eyes becoming more prominent with the expression. “Dearest Isla,” she began. “How is my favorite healer turned tea shop expert?” “To be honest, Mrs. Elwood, a bit frustrated. Clementine gifted me that teapot, you know. I got it out about an hour ago and have been trying to figure out what it does exactly.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear–rounded and plain, unlike the ears of the elven woman in front of me. “If I were telling the whole truth,” I lowered my voice to a whisper, green eyes shining, no doubt. “The whole thing is a bit frightening. I’m afraid if I take off the lid, it may explode.” Mrs. Elwood let out a deep chuckle, one pulled from the pit of her belly. “I wouldn’t be surprised.” “So,” I started, “what can I do you for?” I glanced down, noticing a long strand of hair sticking to the white apron–brown. One of my own, then. I quickly and furiously brushed it away, sending it to the hardwood as I straightened the white linen laid over my simple sage dress. When I looked up, Mrs. Elwood’s expression had tightened. “Declan seems to think I’m a fool.” I fought the urge to chuckle at her mention of her grandson. Declan, at the ripe age of fourteen, gave Mrs. Elwood a run for her money. His mother, Mrs. Elwood’s daughter, had died during childbirth, and the elven woman had taken care of Declan ever since. “He went somewhere last night. I just know it, but he won’t tell me where he’d gone. Do you have a tea that could help?” I brushed the hair back from my face, turning to the wooden shelves lining the shop, rounding the tables and chairs set out for guests. The dried herbs weren’t labeled particularly well, and organization was never my strength, but I could find what I needed easily enough. “Laiaberry leaf tea,” I supplied, grabbing a jar from the top shelf and moving it to the counter. I began weighing the herbs for a small bag. “It won’t force him to tell the truth.” My smile widened. “It will, however, inspire him to be a bit more honest.” Mrs. Elwood returned my smile, dropping a few coins in my hand before taking her tea. “You’re the gem of Fairvein, Miss Isla,” she said, and I fiddled with the hem of my apron. “You’re too kind,”