Page 40 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

“Pshhh, I’ve seen the way you two eat. You need all of this to keep up your strength,” they said breezily. “It’s just a bit of this, a bit of that. You can have a little picnic luncheon. And I packed a couple extra slices of lemon cake since you liked it so much.”

They winked at me. I gave a shaky smile back.

And then we were being hustled out the front door, Saho’s skinny hands prodding us along. Legus came up behind us and wrapped his arms around Saho, his tail curling tenderly over one leg.

“Come and visit us again anytime, my dears,” Legus said, his red scales glinting in the morning sunlight.

“Thank you, friends. I should be back this way soon.” Barra waved and went to get Pebble from the stables.

I hesitated, trying to muster up the courage to turn this fond farewell scene into an awkward request for a week’s worth of work instead. They were both waving, smiling. Sighing internally, I just waved back. “Thanks again for everything!” Then I turned, following Barra.

Well, I’d tried. I guess we’ll have one more day together. Resolving to keep my distance and cool things off with Barra, I pushed down the glee that squirmed around my stomach.

This was idiotic. I knew better.

But damn if I wasn’t relieved.

14

BARRA

Something was bothering Elikki. I must have done something to upset her without realizing it. Did I pull too much while I was combing? Or maybe it was the spunk disaster from last night? I wouldn’t blame her for being annoyed about that today.

Whatever it was, I had to fix it. For a moment back at the inn, it had almost seemed like she didn’t want to continue traveling with me. What I did must have been bad.

We’d been walking along the road for twenty minutes now—Elikki had opted to walk rather than ride Pebble, which somehow seemed like another sign—and neither of us has said a word. For me, that wasn’t unusual. For her, that was definitely cause for alarm. She was always such a chatterbox.

I snuck a few quick glances down at her face as we walked. She looked lost in thought, a slight frown tugging at her mouth.

Say something, you idiot, say something! I took a few long, slow breaths, trying to calm down without her noticing.

“El—I mean, Elikki,” I said. “Is everything all right?”

“Of course!” she said brightly. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Okay, this was really, really bad. I knew that tone all too well from my sisters.

“You can tell me. If anything’s bothering you, you know?” I said, starting to sweat through my linen shirt.

“Mm-hmm,” she said, not looking at me.

I reached for the waterskin hooked onto Pebble’s back. “Do you need any water? Food? Or maybe you’re too hot? It’s quite sunny today.”

“I’m not a plant you need to tend to, Barra,” she said with a slight bite to her words. “I can take care of myself, and I’m fine. Just let me be, please.”

I felt as if she’d slapped me.

I couldn’t believe this was happening again. Not that I thought we’d ride into the sunset together—though I may have imagined it once or twice—but I’d let my guard down with her. Against my better judgment. After two years of keeping up my defenses. We’d laughed together, eaten meals, gone on the run. I’d tasted her. A flurry of moments from last night flashed through my mind.

We’d said that we would keep this casual. That was what she wanted, at least, and I was trying my best. I hadn’t made any of my usual mistakes, going too fast too soon. Had I? I’d just been focusing on her and our time together. Having fun, like she’d said.

But I’d still managed to mess up somehow. Elikki was pulling away. She didn’t even want to talk to me now. I was so stupid for thinking it could be different with her. I mean, for goddess’s sake—she spent her life on the road! Constantly traveling, never putting down roots or being with one person for too long. She’d told me so herself.

And I still, somewhere in the back of my mind, thought I could be the exception. Despite all my past failed relationships. Despite all evidence to the contrary.

Stupid.

I slipped behind Pebble and walked on her other side. It helped to have the horse’s broad body between us, blocking my view of Elikki. I could only see her dusty walking boots through Pebble’s legs, and the swish of her gray skirt around her ankles. I took a long drink from the waterskin, forcing my eyes away from her feet and focusing on how the cold water moved down my throat.