I returned the expression.
“What?” he said, uncrossing his arms.
“Were you two communicating with each other?” I asked. “Through thenotam?”
His brows rose. “You could tell?”
“I felt the eather,” I told him. “So, you twowereusing thenotam?”
“Possibly.” He cocked his head. “And I can tell that annoys you.” A small grin appeared. “Someone doesn’t like being left out of a conversation.”
“Thissomeonealso doesn’t like that both of you can read emotions now.”
“I could always—”
“I know. But it’s easier now, right?”
Kieran said nothing to that.
“What were you saying that you didn’t want me to hear?” I asked as I walked to the table.
“He was just asking what I was in the mood to eat,” he answered.
“Really?” I picked up the pitcher of the fruity water and poured two glasses. Kieran nodded. But that was…odd. I couldn’t remember Casteel ever asking him that before. They knew each other well enough they didn’t have to.
“Yes.” Kieran smiled as I handed him a glass. “You sure you’re feeling okay?”
I nodded and walked to the armchair. “Are you going—?” I stopped, spying something on the floor in front of the chair. Bending over, I picked up what appeared to be either black and gold or brown…fur. I turned to Kieran and held the tuft between my fingers.
“What?” he scoffed. “You don’t think that belongs to me, do you? I’m not a shedder.”
“You shed.”
Kieran scowled. “Not like that.”
“Uh-huh,” I teased.
“That’s not even wolven fur,” he said.
I raised a brow. “Then what is it?”
“Cave cat.”
I blinked. “There was a cave cat in the chamber while I was in stasis? If so, I’m going to be disappointed—” Then it struck me. Could it be from Ires? I didn’t remember freeing him, but apparently, I had. And if I had gotten close to him, I could’ve picked up some of his fur.
I frowned as I turned the tuft over. But it wasn’t the right color. Ires’s fur was gray. Unless he had some sort of undercoat. Shaking my head, I laid it on the small, round table beside the chair.
“Never mind,” I murmured, facing Kieran. “I heard you and Casteel talking while I was asleep.”
“You did?” A smile appeared, this one looser and wider.
I nodded. “I don’t remember exactly what I heard, but I know I heard your voices. They…comforted me.”
He shifted his stance. “What do you remember?”
“About being in stasis?” I looked into the wardrobe, seeing a few shirts and pants. “Not much, except for darkness and…” I glanced at the swords lying on the chest and wondered where the bloodstone dagger was. I had yet to see it. “I was surprised you weren’t here when I woke up.”
“I would’ve been,” he said, scratching his chin, “but I ended up falling asleep.”
