Roan’s lips tilted in a hint of a smile. “A good start,Nushawani. With time and practice, you could be a passable shaman.”
Okay, he didn’t exactly sing her praises, but he didn’t tell her she sucked either. Maddie grinned, bouncing excitedly, causing the light to wink out. “I’m totally going to be the sickest shaman ever, just watch.” She rubbed her hands together as her smile widened. “Okay, what now?”
“Now we go meet with the other shaman and introduce you.” Roan’s tone had returned to its normal irritated sound. “As I mentioned before, it has been a very long time since a new shaman has been discovered, and never a human. The others will be curious.”
“No more magic lessons?” Her tone deflated.
“This isn’t wizard school. It’s more like an apprenticeship,” he said, gruffly.
Maddie’s brow rose. “Do I get paid?”
Roan frowned. “An apprentice never gets paid. They’re happy that they got the opportunity in the first place. That is the payment.”
Maddie pursed her lips. “Health benefits?”
“Did your mom drop you on your head as an infant?”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “You’re a riot.”
“I wasn’t trying to be funny.”
“Good, because you’re not. You’re the complete opposite of funny.” She huffed. “Can we get this show on the road? How are we traveling?”
Roan started for the door. “We’ll take the smaller Pride plane. We need to make the rounds to all ten kingdoms over the next couple of days. Driving will be too slow.”
“So I get to be thirty thousand feet in the air with you and no way to get away from your pleasant personality unless I want to jump out of an airplane?”
“Sounds about right.”
She started after him. “Why couldn’t I get a lion, or tiger, or bear? Instead, I get a shaman. Which rhymes with ramen. As in Ramen Noodles.”
“Are you going to talk the entire time?” He closed the door behind them.
“Am I bothering you?”
“Most definitely.”
“Then yes.”
Chapter Eleven
As Long As You’re Not A Dick…
“Queen. That is going to be my new title, not that I had an old title. I don’t think my new reality has hit me just yet. But I have a feeling it’s about to catch up with me, and it’s probably going to smack me in the face at just the wrong moment.” ~Rose
Aknock at the door startled Rose as she stepped out of the bathroom. Her sleep-muddled brain made her stare at the door as if it would magically open itself. The knock came again.
“Hello?” a female voice called out. “You awake? I hope you’re freaking awake. I have no idea what I’m working with, so this could take a while.” That last part didn’t seem like it was meant for Rose’s ears. The doorknob turned and then was pushed open all the way. At first, all Rose saw was a green dress, but then itwas lowered, and she saw a woman holding the dress out in front of her.
“Thank Visata, you’re upandpretty.” The woman sighed. She walked over to the bed and laid the dress down. Then she turned back to Rose, who was still trying to get her bearings. “I’m Vreene.” She rested her hands on her hips. Rose saw that her eyes weren’t those of a human. They had slits, like a snake or lizard. She blinked, and Rose saw the clear layer that covered her eyes before the solid eyelids closed. “You got a name?” Vreene asked, not unkindly. But with a no-nonsense air about her.
“Oh, yes, sorry,” Rose stumbled. “I’m Rose Corra. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same.” Vreene said curtly. “Now that pleasantries are over, let’s get to work. The coronation is in T-minus three hours.
“It’s going to take three hours to get ready?” Rose’s voice rose. She couldn’t remember a time when she took three hours to get ready for anything.
Vreene walked back over to the door, leaned down, and plucked up a large bag. “This is my bag of tricks.”
