I let him out the front door, but he only circles the area in front of our house and returns to sitting and yipping at my feet. I lean down to smooth the fox fur between his ears, and he shuts his eyes, apparently enjoying the touch.
“What is wrong, Sparkly?”
He nuzzles into my hand, then takes off out the still-open door. I watch as he heads for the backside of town. Shrugging, I return inside to finish what I started.
I allow Spark to run around as he sees fit because he is more feralthan a maplecat, but he doesn’t usually alert me or whatever he was doing. Maybe he’s feeling ill. I’ll take him to the healer tomorrow if he still seems off.
Using a fresh piece of parchment, I jot down the recipes and add a note to Rom on the bottom.
Good morning
No,that’s too formal after what happened right on this very table. I swallow, heat flushing my cheeks and then shooting down my body.
Hello
Ugh.No. That’s just dumb.
Maybe no greeting at all. Yes, keep it simple.
I found these two recipes.What do youthink?
Laini
That works.I fold the note and reach for the bottle of sparkling notewater. Tully made this potion for me. I grit my teeth. So many of her concoctions sit around my house and shop. I blink. Even the turquoise potion in the water closet. Do I still trust her enough to continue taking that potion? If she wanted to, she could have crafted it wrong, and then I’d be at risk of growing pregnant the next time I take a lover. My mind forms images of Rom’s horned head between my thighs. No, Tully wouldn’t go that far, would she? That’s too much mischief even for her. Then again, is it? I wouldn’t have guessed she would sneak a love potion into my tea, and yet she did. I’ll have to confront her about this. Today. I can’t hide here. She still owes both Rom and me a better apology.
I sprinkle the notewater over the parchment. Sparks similar to my dragonfox’s spits of fire crackled over the pale and folded page. Wings burst from the sides of the note, and I hurry to open the window so it can fly to Rom, wherever he is at the moment. I lean out the window as the note soars high, aiming for the watchtower. I squint against the late afternoon sun, trying to catch a glimpse of him, but the tower’s top is too dark with shadow. I shut the window and get back to my tapestry.
Am I being stupid not trying to have a relationship with Rom? He is so kind, helping me avoid Leo at the bakery without bothering me with lectures about it or further questions, even though the curiosity and anger in his eyes were unmistakable. When Rom is around, I feel safe, cared for. Being in his presence was calming and exciting—some magical combination I haven’t experienced before meeting him.
Spark returns, acting excitable, but that’s nothing new. I give him a new tangle of wool to play with, and he rolls around at my feet until he falls asleep. With Spark snoring at my feet and occasionally tickling the fire out of me with that fox tail, I weave and hum a tune I heard at the tavern last week. The weft slides smoothly in and out of the warp threads, and before I know it, I’m finished!
I crack my knuckles and study the colors, making sure nothing is out of place and no reworking needs to be done. It’s great, though.
The snowcapped mountain that sits beyond Rustion’s fields—Mount Pinehawk—towers over my rendition of Leafshire Cove. Thatched roofs, a gurgling town fountain, winding cobblestone streets, the river, and Rom’s tower are all there. I wove the piece in softer hues, pink insteadof red and shades of blue, green, and gray that give the town a dreamy appearance. A witch hurries through the market. I imagine she’s on her way to apologize to Rom. Hmm. Goblins and orcs meet at the fountain. A baker is chatting with a gargoyle—my last addition. Everyone I’m close to is there on the tapestry. My heart warms to see them there, all in their own specific hues and shapes. I hope Rom likes that I included him. I stand up and grin at my masterpiece. I don’t like to be too cocky, but I’m good at this work. It’s one of the many reasons I love it.
Spark is up again and circling my feet.
“What is your story lately, buddy?”
He wags his tail and then goes to the door. I let him out, shaking my head. He’s definitely worked up about something. I shut the door, and my stomach growls.
Before I can head to the kitchen, tapping at the window tells me that Rom has returned my note. I open the latch, and the sparkling, winged parchment zooms inside to land on my table. I open it quickly, taking small joy in the fact that Rom just touched this note with those gorgeous, taloned hands of his. Hands that have explored my body,have drawn ecstasy from me. A pleasant shiver rolls down my back.
Laini,
These are perfect. I will head to the market in the morning to fetch the supplies. Are we still on for tomorrow here at my place? Maybe after lunch hour?
Rom
Yes,and thanks for doing the shopping. I have to take Spark to the healer tomorrow morning, so that’s a big help.
I send the note,and it’s back again before I finish making a pot of chamomile and lavender tea.
What’s wrong with Spark?
I write backquickly.
He seems antsy.I just want her to check him out.
