That didn’t answer much, but it almost sounded like a promise. ‘So does that mean I can get a job?’
His snort broke the tension. ‘You want a job?’
‘I can’t exactly pop to Ortensia to move my funds over,’ I teased.
‘Do I look cheap to you, little witch? What do you want?’ He preened, shoulders squaring as he reclaimed the poise of a monarch. ‘Tell me.’
‘I want to pull my weight.’
River studied me, growing increasingly amused. ‘You’re my conjuring coach. Isn’t that enough?’
‘Then you’d better start paying me,’ I joked, hoping that he wouldn’t take offence.
‘Done.’ A crooked smile spread across his face. ‘Though I’ll be paying for your fire to pine after mine for hours on end.’
‘No, you’ll be paying for my patience,’ I shot back. ‘It’s far more valuable.’
He chuckled, and together we walked through the quiet corridors.
I learnt that both brothers’ rooms were on my floor. We said our goodbyes, parting for the night, each to our own rest, and whatever dreams or nightmares waited there.
Chapter Twenty
Avari
Iate breakfast alone. With both Michael and River working, I grabbed a quick bite before reaching out to my beast. With everything that had changed lately, I hadn’t spent nearly enough time with my bonded, and it was time to fix that.
Soul-bound or not, we were friends first and foremost, and I couldn’t help but feel guilty about how little time I’d given Anya. The training and the effort it took to form relationships with the few people I knew in Fogoya had kept me away from her, and that needed to change.
Taking her for a swift flight over the nearby towns, we passed over thick forests, fields of blooming flowers so bright I could see them from the sky, and waterfalls so clear my mouth watered. No wonder Anya stopped to drink.
We both enjoyed the serenity of the place. It was untouched by civilisation, wild and fertile, the air clean and alive. I sat by the translucent pool, breathing in the surrounding purity.
After pulling off my heavy boots, I dipped my feet in the lagoon. Though icy cold, the water felt refreshing and clarifying. The ripples hummed with tranquillity, and for a rare moment, I felt mended.
‘You wouldn’t find a view like this in Ortensia,’ I said full of wonder.
‘We would if we flew to the tropical forests,’ Anya groaned, though she looked just as taken by the view.
‘Exactly. It would take hours. We have this at our fingertips.’
‘So you like it here?’ she asked, lowering her head to drink.
I looked away. ‘I do. Do you?’
‘More than the sand,’ she quipped. ‘It was getting under my scales.’
That was the end of the conversation. The temptation of the deep waters was too much for her, and she plunged in headfirst, sending waves splashing across the shore.
She swam with joy, hunting trout and flicking her tail like a mischievous child.
The sight made me smile. ‘Leave some for the rest of us.’
‘Have you enough sense to turn pescatarian yet?’
‘Not a chance.’
The afternoon passed in bliss. Watching her play and hunt in the crystalline water, I felt the world tilt back into place. That was the life I wanted for her. Free. Untamed.Endlessly exploring.
