Free The Fiuri Realms (Shioni of Sheba Book 5) by Marc Secchia Page A

releasing heavenly aromas into the room.
    She sneezed rapidly, six times in a row. Bubbles fluttered about her face like eager butterflies.
    “ Whoo-whee ,” she wheezed, seeing a world of strange colours. The nectar seemed to have poured liquid fire down her throat, only it was a fire of blissful brilliance, a cosy warmth that reminded her of home and joyous laughter and beloved things.
    When the air cleared, Shioni saw every Fiuri staring expectantly at her. Could she even speak?
    “ Hoooleee! ” Shioni gasped. “Fabbabb-leee-um-cious!”
    “Told you it was good!” Arandal beamed.
    Lifirielle smacked his arm. “You hurt the child, you great big Stink-Flower.”
    “Wow, Dad, is that a new chemical weapon?” asked Viridelle, sounding decidedly impressed. Shioni decided Viri needed a slap just as soon as she could think about moving again.
    “Are you alright, Shionelle?” Iri worried.
    “Come on, describe it to me,” Arandal said. “What was it like? What did you taste?”
    “I’m not sure I could say,” Shioni croaked. She rubbed her throat, trying to summon up words with enough force to wipe the look of intense disappointment off Arandal’s face. “I … I think I have a name for it, though.”
    “A name?” Gasps all around.
    “Nobody dares to name one of his creations,” Chardal whispered, quickly. “It’s a Guild-Master job. The most secret, sacred job of all.”
    Judging by how these Fiuri almost worshipped nectar, Shioni should have known. Ouch. Double-ouch with wings on. When would she stop blundering about and trampling over every Fiuri tradition she could find? She wanted nothing more than to flutter away from Sherfiuri Ball forever.
    Arandal swallowed audibly. “I suppose … just this once … I’ll admit, I’ve been struggling to name this nectar. It’s a very special blend. And I invented a brand new technique for introducing the fizz. Quite brilliant, if I say so myself.” He added, rather mournfully, “You did like the fizz at least, Shionelle?”
    Poor Arandal. He seemed to have shrunk to half of his previous size. That simply would not do.
    Shioni squared her shoulders. At the top of her lungs, she shouted, “It was fizz-tastic!” Well, that woke them up. “It’s a masterwork,” she added, more gently, catching Arandal’s eye. “You are not a nectar producer, Big Chief–uh, Arandal. You are a nectar artist .”
    “Well!” said Arandal, his deflation reversing itself with miraculous speed. “Well, by all the flowers of Fiuriel!”
    “Oh dear,” said Iri.
    “He’s your flower-friend for life,” giggled Viri.
    Arandal threw his daughters a quelling glance. “Silence, you pollen-brained brood of caterpillars! Well, Shionelle, I must say, I’ve been working toward this particular nectar for over ten moon-cycles. The sweat! The labour! I am a genius, after all–which even a Fiuri caught in the grips of amnesia cannot fail to recognise. Pure inspiration. But have I told you about the thousands of unsuccessful attempts I discarded before producing this particular recipe, which is a blend of–”
    Lifi took Shioni by the elbow. “How’s about we find you a set of clothes which actually fit, little petal?”
    They were halfway across the room when Arandal, still spouting like an uncontrollable fountain about his efforts and accomplishments, spotted them leaving. “Stop!” he screeched. “The name! You can’t leave me–”
    “If some Fiuri would stop prattling on like the silliest of caterpillars,” said Lifirielle.
    It was amazing how such a small Fiuri could halt her enormous husband mid-flutter, Shioni thought. Arandal turned to her, his triple chins quivering in agitation. His poor face!
    Nervously, Shioni said, “I thought it might be called ‘Fiuriel’s Breath’.”

Chapter 9: Trouble Ahead
    A T The Dinner-Puff, Shioni found herself the subject of a flowery toast which she thought would never end. Her ears burned as Arandal, Chief of the Nectar Guild,