My Summer Girl

Chapter Seventeen

Vera

Heat Waves – Glass Animals

It’s been too long.

While it has only been a few days, something feels off whenever I reach out to him through our bond. It’s like Raevar is there but not. Avoiding and detaching from what links us.

I sit in court on my branch and thorn-made throne, wanting nothing more than to port-path to Raevar. I’ve never once had to do it, not only under the guise of not breaching his trust and spying, but because he’s always at my side. Being a control freak isn’t exactly something to brag about.

Sure, I get things done. Nothing ever stays incomplete, but it’s like living my life for me isn’t a thing. I should be able to do this myself, find love, and be happy. What if he gets me someone who isn’t kind and doesn’t understand my dedication to my court? He wouldn’t do that, right? No. He knows what I need in a life partner.

Physically, I’m unable to leave Solera, so him being off-realm was easier. Him being here and avoiding me changes things. It’s impossible. There’s a tangible itch, begging me to reach out to him.

This festering under my skin doesn’t make sense, but I need him to come back. He could’ve used his port to come directly here. Why does he delay?

Not once has he been away from me this long. It’s weird not having him near me at all times, and I realize sadness is very much present with his absence.

He’s my best friend.

Life doesn’t make sense when he’s gone.

One would think it’d be easier. He does talk a lot. Without him, there’s no home. No food that him and his abuelita make. No elotes with extra limon. Or frijoles for breakfast lunch and dinner. My mouth waters thinking of the weeks worth of meals I’ve missed out on. Not that it’s his job. His love language is acts of service and even if I didn’t love his food—I do—I’d eat it regardless because I love him. As a friend. He’s my best friend.

Yeah, it’s the food I miss... right?

“My queen.” Vael, my secondary guard announces. I never thought I’d miss the words “mi reina” so much. Raevar says it with an accent. You’d never think he’d have one, but whenever he speaks his mother tongue, he does it properly.

Vael blinks several times, waiting for my acknowledgment. He has never been around me this long or as my direct contact. Raevar usually leads all the guards. Without him, I’m stuck with Vael and Alessand. I’m alone, without my gossip buddy and without the rest of my court. They’re all planning their individual celebrations while I’m stuck waiting for the creature caregiver to show up.

“Yes, Vael,” I tonelessly respond, hoping he’s here with news of something.

“We’ve been contacted by letter.”

“Letter,” I muse, wondering who still takes the effort to write them. It’s not exactly abnormal for our kind, but usually we have people who communicate for us. “Who calls upon me?”

He walks toward me, no emotion in sight. Which tells me he hasn’t read the letter. Raevar would’ve read it and relayed the message because he’s a snoop. As he hands it off, I note a seal. It’s a dark violet, nearly midnight purple. On it is a V, and immediately, my mind wanders to the only name I sent Raevar to investigate. Vex.

Dear Queen Verano of Solera,

You may not know me by trade, but I know your ancestors. I’m writing you in search of answers, hoping you can be of help. In my former years, I befriended a queen. Her name was Theodora.

She and I made many memories, and to know that someone from her court may have something to do with my missing mate troubles me. I don’t like when my things are taken from me, and I have a feeling one of your patrons stole my mate.

I’m not here to accuse, however, I am here to say that I obtained proof of someone entering my domain without permittance and I’m a wreck. With the unannounced entrance of one of Solera blood, and my mate suddenly missing, it leads me to believe they have taken them. I would very much appreciate my mate’s return.

If you could send something back to let me know if you have an Orukna named Raevar Tora Jr. in your realm, and what we can do to negotiate my mate’s safe return, I’d be grateful.

Thank you,

Vex Asher, Owner of Vex’s

A chill of concern mixed with excitement has me smiling. “What is it?” Vael questions, waiting for my response, his face showing interest unlike before. For a man who tends to be expressionless most times, his eyebrows are up with intrigue.

“It seems Raevar was successful in his endeavors. Though, he might’ve pissed off a really old being. One who knew my nan.”

Vael nods, but a scrunch of his forehead is the only facial movement he offers me. Unlike Raevar, he doesn’t know the rich history of my family, how old we are. If this person knows my nan, it means they’re very old. The possibility that they could turn out to be an enemy is too large of a risk.

I stand, heading toward my chambers, knowing full well that I’ll respond. Surely Raevar wouldn’t have picked someone who is mated, let alone one unwilling to be mine?

The familiar walls to my kingdom greet me as I trail the halls. There are so many vines now. Instead of decoration like many kingdoms have, we let Solera choose her own decolletage. She seems to love thorny bits and bright flowers. Much like me, moss adorns everything, making sure to envelope our castle with protection and liveliness.

People wave to me as my journey continues, and I notice how lonely it is without Raevar. Usually, he’d fill my ears with nonsense gossip or even his passions. He was trying to uncover a lost recipe of his family’s. He said he was so close to getting it exactly how his abuelito used to make it so long ago.

He may not think I listen, but I do. His desires to cook this year’s feast and with long misremembered recipes from his family is something he’s nervous about but so proud to do.

Everyone but Raevar’s two sisters and abuelita passed away from the sickness that plagued Solera for decades. What’s left of his culture has been passed down as much as his abuelita can offer. Unfortunately, she has memory loss, so things don’t come easy to her. Not anymore.

No matter what Raevar has done with Vex’s mate—if he’s truly taken them—I’ll stand by his side. We’ll make this solstice amazing, even if he doesn’t find the love I’m searching for.

As soon as I make it to my room, I grab a quill and parchment. It’s not my chosen way of communication, but something tells me it’s this Vex person’s. Who would’ve guessed we weren’t looking for a place, but rather a creature.

There’s an acidic feeling in my abdomen, and I’m sure it’s to do with not knowing of Raevar’s well-being. How could he be so careless? If he took another’s mate, they could ask for his death.

That just can’t happen.

Life without him would be far too dull. Yeah, that’s clearly your only concern. I shake the thought away as quickly as it arrives. Raevar is my best friend. That’s it. It’s all he can ever be.

My best friend without our shared guidance seems to be impulsive, and it’s something we’ll have to address when he’s back.

Whispering the incantation I thought was long since forgotten, my letter zips and vanishes, and I know it’s gone and where it needs to be.

A knock at my door has me letting out a long sigh. I only wanted love. Love, happiness for the realm, and maybe an heir or two. Whether I birthed them or my mate, whichever they chose, I’d be okay with.

“It’s open,” I gently call out, wanting to sink into my vines and slumber for a day or so with how much stress I’m under.

Everything is fine, even if my oldest friend and confidant has surely fucked up and I’ll have to clean up the mess if I want to keep a very old being from going on a killing spree.

Yeah, everything’s great.

“The creature caregiver is here, my queen,” Alessand announces, interrupting my inner monologue, and I turn to him. He’s standing tall, all regal in his job as protector. What I’d do to have Raevar here instead is what’s upsetting.

I nod at him and wave him off, knowing that this conversation with the caregiver better go well, because already, solstice isn’t going as planned.

There are so many things to attend to. The bonfire, the feast, the dance with the dyads, the dragon races, and the pollination if my offerings work properly.

I can’t fail this time.

“Sauren,” I greet with a wave after climbing down the staircases. She’s older now, but still a wise ass. On her shoulders sits the smallest dragon I’ve ever seen. It’s a vibrant yellow, almost like all the color was drained from our solenas and put into the skin of this creature.

Its eyes are mostly black, with amber rings that seem to flare when our gazes meet. The sudden urge to pet it, cherish it, and give it anything it needs pulls me closer.

“This is Tiny. She’s a lighter.”

“She’s beautiful,” I let out, coming closer with every inhale. My feet don’t stop, even as it recognizes the danger of being close to a creature that doesn’t know me. My thorns even tingle, twitching around me like they’re attempting to guard me.

If she were to defend herself from my nearness, I couldn’t exactly fault her.

“She’s capable of really strong bonds and communication through mind bonds.”

Tremors of excitement titillate my senses as I reach forward once more. This time it’s very gently, allowing the dragon her own choices. She moves toward me, jumping right across from Sauren to my shoulders. Warmth invades my skin, a bunch of prickling little zings touching with every movement.

Emotions flit through me, like a new vine that’s magical in material instead of corporeal. She’s learning me. My thorns recognize her as a guest, someone who won’t do harm and slowly move to accommodate her small body.

She snuggles against my shoulders and neck, putting images in my mind of her flying freely in the sky, enjoying the kingdom. Her lemongrass scent invades my nose, bringing me a type of calm I haven’t felt in so long. dragons and I get along just fine, but not once has one taken a liking to my soul.

“Unfortunately, the dragons for the races aren’t able to make it in time,” Sauren explains, lessening the blow with the dragon on my shoulders. She comforts me with images of relaxation, even though it’s the last thing on my mind.

First, I send my friend away to find me love, and then he disappears, not showing up in a timely manner. Next, he steals someone else’s mate and decides that it’s okay to do so. Doesn’t even do a single check-in that’s more than an nudged bond apology.

As soon as the thoughts overwhelm me, the vines from the ground wrap around my ankles, slithering up my legs.

“Is the queen okay?” Sauren shouts. Vael and Alessand rush to me as if I’m in danger. If Raevar were here, he’d know it’s just Solera communicating changes in the realm.

She’s here.

“Who’s here?” I reach out with my bonds to the ground, seeking answers.