Chapter 8 #2
“I was running in my shifted form.” I cleared my throat, preparing to share something I wasn’t sure I had ever said to anyone outside my family.
All Vesten children were taught not to speak about our animals with others.
I pushed aside my father’s disappointment to offer Evelyn a little information about myself.
“The wolf you just encountered on the path was me. I apologize if I startled you.”
Her breathing hitched at my lack of evasiveness, and my wolf preened at finally understanding some part of Evelyn Knowles.
Let’s not congratulate ourselves too early.
“You were big.”
I choked on wherever I thought the conversation had been headed next. This was not it. “Excuse me?”
She flushed. I was absolutely delighted by this turn of events, but I had no idea what to do with it.
“Your wolf,” she clarified. “It was large.”
I couldn’t even imagine the look I must have given her as she complimented my size. She continued to ramble, and I thought it was maybe the most perfect start to a day that I had yet to experience.
“You didn’t scare me. You were just … unexpected.” Then her brow furrowed as another thought must have flashed through her mind. “When did you get there?”
I heard what she didn’t ask. What did you see?
That was enough of an admission for me. If I’d had any doubts left—I didn’t—this response was proof she had a shifter form. One she didn’t want me to know about.
“When you saw me,” I reassured her. “That was when I arrived.”
She let out a shaky exhale and took a bracing sip of the tea in her hands. Her gaze finally met mine, and that warmth in my chest extended to my limbs.
This is decidedly not normal. The wolf in my head seemed to revel in whatever it was.
“You’re not going to ask me what I was doing over there?” She glanced toward Sandrin’s approaching shore.
“I would love to know, if you have any interest in sharing.”
She appraised me. “I was taking a walk.” She glanced down at her long, exposed legs and clutched her cup tighter. I was sure she was realizing how silly that sounded, given her dress.
“I see.”
“You don’t believe me?”
I almost laughed. “What I believe is irrelevant. I saw you walking in the woods. It matches your story.”
Her brown eyes had me rapt. I didn’t dare glance down at the length of her legs, the definition of her calves and thighs likely a result of many morning runs just like the one I was sure she’d been on today.
“Fine,” she said.
I tried not to stare, but she didn’t seem to have the same restraint. She seemed to study my arms, which were exposed since I had given her my sweater. At least I still had an undershirt on.
“You don’t look cold.” It was more of a statement than a question.
If the wolf in my head were a representation of my inner thoughts, he would be licking his lips at this perfect opening she’d handed me.
“Vesten fire can warm from the inside.” I tried to state the fact with no hesitation.
If I left no room for interpretation, maybe she wouldn’t see the information as a condemnation of her upbringing.
My following words were more hesitant. “I could explain it if you haven’t read about it. ”
She looked cautious, like a wild animal about to bolt from a hunter’s carefully laid trap. Then her nostrils flared, and I knew the part of her that craved information had won out. “If you don’t mind.” She gestured to the distance between us and the shore. “We don’t have anything else to do.”
I pulled a hard candy from my pocket. They were bright red and tasted like cinnamon. I used them with my younger siblings to teach them about our magic. “Are you familiar with this candy?”
Something in her eyes lit up. “I’ve never had one.”
The part she didn’t say but was there in her face was that she’d always wanted one. I handed it to her. “Something about the taste, the cinnamon and sugar, is a good training tool for Vesten fire magic. I had them all the time when I was learning to control mine.”
She took it carefully, sniffing in a way that screamed Vesten. I didn’t know if it was whatever had brought me to her this morning or the wolf in my head, but either way, I was enthralled with the action.
“Have one, and you can feel the heat build here.” I pointed to my chest. “From there, you can do all sorts of things with it. Like spread it out to your limbs for warmth.”
Her attention was still fixed on the candy. Briefly, she glanced at the nearing shore, then back to me. “Thank you.”
I nodded, hopeful she would test it out later. We’d dock soon, and it occurred to me that I didn’t want to separate. The awareness inside me seemed intent on her presence. While my wolf agreed with the sentiment, this was a new development.
“Hey—Ambrose.” Her words pulled my focus. “You weren’t … looking for me … were you?”
Was I? I considered it, but I didn’t think it was that simple. The question didn’t feel like a trap, like she wanted to know if I was stalking her. If it were, there would probably be a lot more teeth and claws and a lot less of me standing here like an idiot as I tried to determine my reply.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
She took a final, deep sip of her tea, emptying the cup. “I see.”
“Yes. Well.” I should have realized then what she was asking—why she was asking.
The captain’s voice echoed across the deck, asking everyone aboard to disembark as the boat docked in Sandrin.
“I should get home and change.” She looked down at my sweater again. “Is it alright if I bring this to you at the library today?”
“Of course.” I didn’t have a chance to say more before she slipped off the boat and into the crowd of people near the docks.
The pang in my chest returned, the same as it had on the path. It tightened with each step she took away from me, telling me I was in trouble.