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Ra’as closed his eyes for a second and she was afraid he would scream at her when he opened them.
But he nodded and ran a hand through his hair.
“Dyrk is old enough to remember his mother,” Ra’as said. “And a time when I didn’t have to work so hard to run this place.”
“Oh,” Emilia said, uncertain how to respond.
“Right after the attack on Nordholm, everything on Ulfgard changed. We weren’t in peril of being overtaken by The Armada anymore, and that meant a rush of new building,” Ra’as explained. “I lost myself in work and was able to triple the size of the business. But it’s been harder for Dyrk, because he remembers how things were before.”
“And Mimi?” Emilia heard herself ask.
“She was a baby when her mother left to defend Nordholm,” Ra’as said. “She doesn’t remember a time when our lives were different.”
A wave of sympathy crashed over Emilia’s heart, and she was unable to respond, so she just nodded.
There was an entire generation of children here on Ulfgard who would grow up in mourning over their lost mothers. And there were those like Mimi, who would never really know a mother’s love at all.
“I will do everything in my power to help them understand how special and loved they are, Mr. Drayven,” she told him, her voice choked with emotion.
“Ra’as,” he said, his voice deep and rumbly, as if she had said something to please him.
For a moment something sparked between them, a new understanding, as if they were in this together.
And something deeper and more meaningful too, though Emilia couldn’t put her finger on it.
“How can I help with the garden?” Ra’as asked after a moment.
“I wanted your permission to use that land,” she said.
“Of course, I’ll comm the grounds keeper,” he said, with an expression that told her he did not relish the task.
“I already asked his blessing,” Emilia said.
“Did he give it?” Ra’as asked, looking amazed.
“He said it’s fine with him as long as it’s okay with you,” Emilia said, choosing not to share Mr. Grinks’s tone.
“Incredible,” Ra’as said, shaking his head in wonder. “You really are a wizard.”
She smiled. It was funny to hear that twice in a week.
“I would also love to get some simple supplies for the children,” she went on. “Some seeds and tools, maybe even a few baby plants to get us started.”
“Anything you need,” he told her. “Give me your hand.”
For a moment she wasn’t sure what he was saying. Then she realized he was offering to put credits on her account.
She lifted her wrist, and he took it in his hand and touched his bracelet to hers.
It gave off a gentle buzz, letting her know that credits had been transferred.
But it was nothing compared to the cascade of sensation that poured through her at the feel of his big hand around her wrist. She longed to crawl into his arms and soak in his warmth.
Ra’as was gazing down at her, his pale blue gaze hazy and intense.
A high-pitched chime sounded from his desk.
Emilia jumped back, startled.
