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“Hello? North?”
The boy did not answer.
Adam checked the conservatory, the greenhouse-like room where they’d practiced with swords.
It was also the only space in the mansion that seemed to fit North, being a blend of mortal and elven flora. The back door was open to a crack, letting in a slice of winter breeze. That could not be good for the plants.
It reminded Adam of his own forgetful ways as a child, and his mother screaming about the electric bill when he left a window open while the air conditioning was on in the trailer.
He’d been distracted by a wandering sprite, a little fairy light that only he could see. When he’d tried to tell her, she’d spanked him so he wouldn’t forget or get lost in his imagination again.
Outside, snow lay in heavy drifts. They piled around the towering pines. There were footprints, an easy trail that Adam followed. He wished he’d taken Dautre’s hint and brought a coat as he stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
He didn’t have to go far.
North was crouched a little ways from the house, a stick in hand.
“Hey!” Adam called, hoping not to startle the kid.
North turned and grinned.
“Hi, Adam!”
“What are you doing?”
“Making snow roses for mother.”
North held up the stick and a bit of paper. He flattened some of the snow against the sheet and rolled it carefully, making a bud. Then he did it again, adding another layer.
He held it up for Adam to see. It glittered in the starlight.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It won’t last long.” The boy frowned as he drove the stem into the snow, leaving his creation where it would not melt, at least not until morning.
“Real flowers don’t either, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth it.”
North considered Adam’s words, then he smiled.
His face was a split of pale elf and human pink. One eye was mortal blue, the other something closer to ivory.
In truth Adam didn’t know what they could talk about. He had no idea how to relate to a preteen. He’d had a hard enough time with Vran, who’d been older than North by elven standards.
Elven youth were strange. Ancient but young. Adam had first met Silver when they’d both been teens, at least in experience and mind. It was hard to judge North’s actual age, but he seemed to take after the human half in that regard.
If nothing else, this might be good practice for when Ian was born. Adam was going to be an uncle. He was going to hopefully spend a lot of time with the kid. He wanted to be a good influence and counter whatever Ian’s grandfather brought to the table.
“Did you come to spar with me?”
“Not this time. Your mother thought you could use a visitor.”
“Why?” North asked.
“She’s worried about you. She thinks you might be lonely.”
“I guess.” North paused, thinking, then asked, “Would you want to see my room?”
“Sure.” Adam’s smile was genuine. His teeth were already chattering.
