“You won’t. You were bespelled, and still, you didn’t lose control of your magic.”
He looks from the window to me. “I didn’t feel out of control at all. It surprised me.”
“A good surprise.”
“A very good surprise.” He gathers our cups and plates and takes them into the kitchen.
Butterflies flit riotously in my stomach. Is this happening? Am I going to regret this? What if everyone gossips about us at the party? Leo will surely be there. He will be awful.
I stand, clasping and unclasping my hands at my sides. “We have our final fitting tomorrow, right?”
Why am I changing the subject? I wanted him tosayyesormaybe. Wait. He did. He saidmaybe. And now I’m acting like he didn’t say anything.
“Yes, tomorrow,” he says, watching me with a curious look. “Do you want me to walk you there? I would love to.”
“Yes. Good. Yes.”
He eyes the weather map. “If you need to leave, it’s cleared out now. No more storms tonight.”
“Good.” I have to stop saying the same word over and over. “Oh, let me help you clean up.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I do.” I grab a dish towel and head to his pump sink. I work the lever, and water splashes into the basin. Washing his plate and mine, I try to slow my speeding heart by taking deliberately long breaths. It’s not working.
He is just behind me. One of his wings catches my hair, and I yip.
“So sorry!” he says, turning and trying to untangle us.
The claw at the tip of his wing is stuck in the knot on the top of my head. I can’t help but laugh.
“This is so bad,” I say, giggling.
“I hope this isn’t an omen for our little courting trial.”
I burst out laughing and realizethis is the first time in years I’ve had this much fun with another person.
Once we’re detangled, I wish him a quick good night, gather my things, then hurry home. I don’t want to ruin this by doing something stupid like trying to kiss him.
At home, I try to keep my thoughts on the tapestry contest only, but I fail miserably. With Spark curled up at my side in my small but perfect bed, I fall asleep to the memory of Rom’s gravelly laugh. It’s a wonderful sound, and I hope to hear it again in the morning.
Chapter 10
Romulus
After the final fitting, I invite Laini to have a pint with me at the Goat and Dragon, the large tavern on the Leafshire River.
“Who is up in the tower for you today?” she asks as we wind down the cobblestone street toward the lute and pipe music coming from the tavern.
“Rustion’s new recruit, a goblin named Torr. Do you know him?”
“Oh yes, he’s Kaya’s brother’s partner. Small towns, you know.” She shrugs.
I try not to stare at Laini as we make our way through the Goat and Dragon’s warm interior and out the back door to the deck. She’s just too lovely. I can’t stop. It’s such a miracle that she has agreed tocourting. I’m scared to death this will end very badly, but I’m willing to give it a try. If I can keep a tight leash on my stone magic, maybe, just maybe, we can make this work.
We take seats on the outside deck under the pergola with the goat and dragon carvings that gave the tavern its name. Well, I’m guessing that’s what inspired the name. Maybe I’ll ask Laini about that.
The gurgling river sparkles a stone’s throw from our table. The weather is perfect—crisp as a late-season apple. The maple tree that lords over the tavern sheds a few of its red-brown leaves with every light gust.
