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When I didn’t answer, Owein plowed on. “I know what you’re thinking.” He mocked my voice. “If I have to stand one more day with this crazy lot, who stinks of onion and horse crap, I might lose my mind. I’m regretting leaving the immortals, who brush their hair smooth until it shines”—Owein raked his fingers through his short hair and pretended to toss it over his shoulder—“who bathe in floral-scented oils”—he sniffed his tunic and gagged—“whose men fawn over their women’s every smile and eye wink…”
Owein nudged my leg with his as if to ask if he was correct.
I pressed my mouth into a thin line.
“You miss the pleasure of your dragon fetching you a meaty lamb to roast right before your eyes?”
He was reaching. I cracked a smile.
“That’s better,” he said.
“The dragons do not fetch our dinner for us,” I said. “And the men do not fawn over us.”
“But you do primp. Your beauty far surpasses ours, I gather. They must be dainty where you’re from.”
“Honestly? If you went to Gorlassar, you’d be surprised. No one is dainty there.”
“Gorlassar, eh?”
Grimacing over my laxity, I pushed Owein away. “We’re all the same. Beauty is irrelevant in Gorlassar. We don’t judge each other on physical appearance.”
“You see us though. You see every smudged face and smell every reeking breath. You judge mortals.”
“I haven’t had time to judge. Just observe.”
“Is that what you call it?” he asked. “Interesting. Take me to Gorlassar, and I’ll observe your people.”
“Oh, you’re shameless! Just invite yourself to my realm!”
“You would never take me, would you? I’d love to fly on Seren.”
My face fell. “I can’t. Mortals aren’t allowed there.” I’m not allowed there.
“Why not?”
Should I tell him that emrys judge mortals? Should I tell him the emrys believe humans are corrupted? That the elders taught us from infancy that evil existed in the mortal world and emrys shouldn’t enter or else we would be subject to the same corruption?
“I lied to you,” I said. “I’m not here for a visit. And besides, Seren would never let you fly on her.”
“She wouldn’t? I bet I’ll finagle a flight out of her someday. Just you wait.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” I rested my chin in my hands as I leaned toward the fire.
“So why are you here? What’s so awful about mortals that we can’t go to Gorlassar?” Owein copied my position and stared into the fire.
“There’s nothing awful about you. It’s just a rule.”
He flinched upright. “I can’t believe you’re avoiding my questions.”
“That’s nothing new.”
He laughed.
As I turned to him, I realized I loved his curious, blue eyes, especially as they searched my face. “Oh, Owein. You just have to take my word for it.”
“What did you do? Did they throw you out?”
I jumped up. “You’re unbelievable! I’m tired of your assumptions.”
