“They are my best skills,” I reply.
“Yes, I suppose they probably are,” she says with a half smile.
My wings shiver and there is a fall of scales. Being with my Kaitlyn is always going to make me a happy Bluecap, and this moment is no exception. I’m pleased she sees my skills for what they are.
Deadly.
And hers.
A gong rings out in the massive hall, and everyone gets to their feet, carrying their platters to a large receptacle where they are placed, and then they file out via a different door to the one used to enter.
“Where do you think they’re going?” Kaitlyn asks.
“I don’t know.”
The brothers have disappeared too, leaving only me and Kaitlyn in the hall. A warm wind blows through it, rippling my wings and lifting Kaitlyn’s pretty hair.
“I think it may be time to leave,” Kaitlyn says, wrapping her arms around herself. “This place has suddenly become creepy.”
I am instantly on alert. If my Kaitlyn does not like this hall, then I will protect her from it. As she gets to her feet, I take up my position as her guard.
Whatever she wants, she can have, and I remain hers until the end of time.
KAITLYN
Possibly I should feel less creeped out with Linton’s warm, looming presence by my side. But after a day of running from Redcaps, meeting skeletal monks, and then wrangling a mothman in a kitchen, my energy reserves are at rock bottom.
Admittedly the meal we helped prepare was tasty and filling. But hanging around in the weird vast hall when we were the last ones there was not going to happen. At least the personification of creepy, my mothman, was agreeable.
Even if hisskillswould probably have been useful had whatever was making my skin crawl made itself known.
Watching him watching me in the kitchens was hilarious. I admit, my sense of being watched had been triggered back in the bakery, but then I didn’t know what to look for. Now I know Linton, his ability to keep himself hidden is destroyed. Even when he tries to hide, I find him almost immediately. But then I had to pretend I hadn’t seen him because the grin on his face was too good to forgo.
I genuinely think Linton was enjoying himself. And once the rest of the sanctuary seekers in the kitchen saw he had someuses, such as chopping vegetables and turning the spit, they were significantly more forgiving than the warlock sitting next to us.
We make our way through what seems like a deserted building up to our quarters. Once inside, having seen the bed, I realise we haven’t properly discussed the sleeping arrangements.
Even if Linton claims not to sleep.
“I’m going to use the privy,” I advise him, opening the door to the small room.
Linton is instantly by my side staring into the room.
“I’m going to use it alone,” I point out.
“I need a piss too,” he says.
“We can’t do it together. You go first.”
Linton swivels his head to look at me.
“Why can’t we piss together?”
I look at the privy and back at him.
“Just go, will you?” I give him a shove.
Linton grins at me. “My spicket has been most unruly since I met you, my Kaitlyn. Pissing won’t be easy.”
