He stared off to where the flame died out in the distant sky, then looked back at me.
“Now, that wasn’t very nice.”
“Turn around,” I barked.
“As you wish.”
I hopped out and wrung out my hair as Roland started to turn.
“Don’t even think about it, or I will burn your balls off.”
He snickered and retreated as I flung back on my outfit.
“Okay.”
He turned and walked towards me, that stupid smile still on his face.
“I swear to the Gods, Roland, if you so much as—”
“Don’t worry, I don’t kiss and tell.”
“I should’ve frozen your ass in that water,” I muttered and found myself smiling.
He chuckled, and we started toward our camp.
I picked at a loose thread on my dress. “I never thanked you,” I said quietly, and he turned to me with a raised brow. “For showing me kindness…and for being annoying as hell.” I laughed through my nose. “It made everything a little less scary.”
I met eyes with him, though I couldn’t read his expression. He smiled softly and looked forward.
I felt an urge to grasp his hand, but I wouldn’t do it.
“Why did you do it, anyway?”
He clenched his jaw. “I’m not sure…” He thought on it for a moment. “I suppose I grew to admire you, seeing how you handled everything. You’re a fearless thing.” He gave me a side smile, then looked forward. “And I suppose it was you saving my ass…when I did nothing to deserve it,” he said quietly.
“Well, I am happy I did…mostly.”
He turned to me. I winked, and he grinned at that.
When we made it back to camp, Silas was glaring at Roland and me, and I felt my cheeks heat. His eyes could burn holes with how furious he looked. He only met my eyes briefly before continuing to stare down Roland.
“Wonder what I did now,” Roland muttered.
Silas stood, and the two of them walked off to talk. As they left, Ayla approached, saying she wished to measure us for clothing.
The girls went first. She led us inside their home, past the living space and kitchen, into her sewing room. I gasped at the wall of fabrics she had stacked—a large assortment of colors and materials.
“There’s so many,” Elowen breathed. “Where did you get it all?”
“Oh, I’ve collected some throughout the years, but I pick up fabrics nearly every time I bring pieces to trade in Forsmont and Faltrun.” She fetched a tape measure off her desk. “Who would like to go first?”
“Me!” Elowen beamed.
Ayla smiled and began measuring Elowen’s slim waist. Erabella walked along the fabric wall, eyeing the different assortments.
“Is it ever an issue traveling to those villages? I assume you all glamour yourselves?” Viola asked.
“Indeed,” Ayla replied. “And no, no issues. Even though our kind isn’t safe almost anywhere, I’m grateful Forsmont and Faltrun have stayed independent from Otacia—don’t have to worry about the kill order and all.” She continued to measure Elowen, her silver braid falling just below her shoulders as she jotted down her measurements. “What colors do you like, my dear?”
