Chapter 19: The poster
Large, spiky fruits with golden skin lined one shelf, their thick rinds splitting open to reveal soft, shimmering flesh inside.
Some fruits were perfectly round, others twisted into strange, spiraling shapes, their skins patterned in swirling hues of blue and silver.
The air was thick with the scent of sweetness, some familiar, like fresh citrus and ripe peaches, but others were completely foreign, carrying hints of spice, honey, and something almost floral.
It was overwhelming yet intoxicating, making Alex’s mouth water despite not knowing what half of these fruits even were.
He reached out toward a small, pearlescent fruit that seemed to shift colors as he moved. "What is this one?" he asked, glancing at Sylra.
She grinned, plucking one from the shelf and tossing it lightly in her hand. "Try it and find out," she said mischievously.
Alex hesitated, then took the fruit from her and bit into it.
The moment the juice hit his tongue, his eyes widened.
It was unlike anything he had ever tasted, sweet, yes, but with an unexpected burst of warmth that spread through his chest, like sunlight on a cold morning.
Sylra laughed at his expression. "Good, isn’t it?"
He could only nod, still savoring the flavor.