Page 24 of Novice Girlfriend

“And on that note,” Wyatt muttered as he set a spell circle under us and others chuckled. We flashed away and I handed over Quinn who was blinking awake when we arrived.

“Oh, sorry, Bevin,” Quinn said. “That was rude of me.”

“It wasn’t just you,” I replied easily. “Apparently, what I was doing made all of you guys have a nap. Sorry if it made you feel—how are you?”

He sat up and stretched, giving the cutest yawn. Then he blinked and looked at Wyatt. “Does he feel any different?”

Wyatt frowned when I asked him but then looked at me in awe. “Yeah, I feel chiller. I was… I feel like I took a nap and had something calming too.”

“Calming?” I hedged.

He sighed but then winced. “I’m annoyed with myself at not being able to articulate this, not at you. I promise.”

“Okay, just know that’s sensitive,” I mumbled. “I get it’s not exact, but you do describe things for a living, so I think you can handle it.”

His lips twitched at being called out, but he didn’t just let it go. “Yes, but that’s what I know. You struggle to explain new things too.” He waited until I nodded in acknowledgement. “We have different teas and spells that work like edibles for humans or even just normal calming teas. I learned breathing exercises early to deal with my family. I feel like I’ve just done that.”

That made perfect sense and I thanked him for explaining. I beamed at Quinn when he checked on me and asked if I needed him to harvest for me. I promised I was fine and kissed his nose, saying he could go play or harvest for Wyatt if he wanted. That I just wanted to check on the color and a few things.

I felt bad because that confused him, but Wyatt understood where my head was. We’d been doing a lot to the land and I wanted to make sure to keep a close eye on everything.

And I also wanted to talk to the flamingo… Which would never be a sentence I ever got used to saying.

Ever.

I used the key and entered the spirit realm and glanced around, frowning and worried when I didn’t see the flamingo.

“Over here, child,” the same voice said.

I turned and saw a completely normal squirrel. “You changed?” I more asked than stated. Clearly, he had, but the why was implied.

“You were unnerved and it took away from our limited time. I apologize for mishandling things,” he said quietly, sounding upset.

“I think it was going to be unnerving no matter what form you chose because of how overwhelming it all is,” I told him honestly.

Now that I’d had more time to settle with things, I knew I had to be more patient and treat him with the intelligence of a familiar. They got overloaded easily too, so coming more often but keeping visits shorter—focused on one topic would be the best way to handle things.

For both of us even.

I glanced around. “The color right here is better.” And it was. Not by much, but I could tell.

“Yes, and by where you are setting up more life,” he said. “I have been inspecting the land.” He cleared his throat and waved for me to come towards him before pointing to the tree. “And apparently, what you are doing is…”

“What?” I asked as I moved towards him. I turned and glanced where he was focused and frowned. There were two sacks hanging from the branches of the tree, almost like they were meant to be fruits?

“Rewards,” he mumbled. “I’m not sure I understand, but I don’t think I’m supposed to, and it’s a test you will figure it out. Maybe a test for them?”

I swallowed down my annoyance. I had enough confusion and cryptic shit. I needed answers and help, not more crazy.

“But I also don’t understand over there,” he added, pointing to the left. “Willow trees don’t give fruit. Even I know this.”

My eyes about popped out of my head as I turned and saw the massive red apples on one large branch. There were dozens—maybe three dozen ripe and ready and a hundred more that were just flowering? Blossoming?

I wasn’t sure the correct term for an orchard… Or a magical tree in a spirit realm that shouldn’t give fruit?

Really wasn’t the point at all then.

I moved closer and reached for one and froze, an image almost mentally smacking me. “The Giving Tree.”